The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-04-14
Gutenberg.

Germany, on the County Seat question, is
again victorious. The reports We have are very
indefinite and in many instances contradictory,
hence We cannot give the vote by townships.-
Suffice it to say that Gutenberg counts about
400 more ballots than Elkadcr for the County
Seat. The vote in Gutenberg was zoos -
This is poll that would indicate population
OF 4OoO for the township of Jefferson. One
vote to five persons is the ratio in an old coun-
try, but in new one 80 many. men are without
families that l to 4 is nearer correct. The
census of Sc gives Jefferson a population of
2O90-the vote above noticed shows doubling
ing years. The vote of Mendon (this) township
is 30s, but had McGregor been interested to
the extent Gutenberg was in this vote, there
is but little doubt that 600 votes could have been
legally deposited at this precinct. There is
much insinuation of fraud in the late election.
Gutenberg is freely charged by the advocates
of Elkader with having resolved to furnish
ballots enough to retain the County Seat
We know nothing of any facts to warrant the
conclusion that there was fraud practiced. The
vote of Jefferson township is unusually heavy,
and in elections of this character, where moth
ing but sectional success is al issue, it is not un
common to find a "free translation of the law
defining the qualifications of voters. Having
arebied in our own township in the last two
years, We have no right to insist that Jefferson
hos not doubled If her population is 1000,
che may be counted 1000 voters.
We make these remarks in no spirit of arol-
ogy for illegal Wellington the contrary if it
can be shown that total disregard of their
official oaths has characterized the proceedings
of the Judges Of Election at any precinct, We
shall rejoice to learn that measures are imme.
diately taken to ferret out the peUured scum
sirels and place them where they can be mark
ed for all time TO come. But we see no pro-
piety in making charges of SO grave charac-
ter as are involved in PERJURY, unless an effort
is made TO show up the delinquents. This
County-Seat matter in Clayton, has become
mere hobby-it was hobby at first if we are
correctly informed. Parties having in view
personal agglandizemcnt or the qualification of
private piques, come before the people with
an aft citation of regard for public interests that
would deceive, if the role had not been 30 often
played; and SO long as the tax payers are will
ing auditors Of these professors of patriotism,
just 80 long will the farce be re-enacted, with
such variations as each years experience may
suggest. The truth is, the removal from Gar
nayillo was unfortunate for the county, for that
village and for its rivals. 1t was not in the
geographical centre, but it was conveniently
accessible from all portions of the county, and
the county has had no rest since Garnavillo
was thrown out Of the list of aspirants. There
are large numbers of PEOPLE now here who have
no feelingsin common with the old spite.hunters
shat keep this subject in annual agitation
This new family of citizens would like the
question settled, and settled for all time, 80
that Court House, Jail, Public Offices, Agri-
cultural Fair Grounds, County Seminary and
other evidences Of spirit and thrift may adorn
one of the largest, ablest, and most beautiful
counties Of the State. Dipidon is SO far from
probability that it is idle TO talk about tin.
deed We begin 10 think Division would be a
humbug even if it could be effected. The
larger our territory the lighter the burthen Of
taxes, and this argument strikes 50 many empty
pockets just now that it cannot but have force
Let the idea Of territorial diminution be aban-
donsd. let every man forget the past and be-
gin to make up his mind to vote hereafter for
the nearest compromise between Business
and aGeographicalcentre. That point lies near.
u Garnavillo than any other village, and we
but repeat conviction long entertained, when
Ne state, that Garnavillo is the place for the
County Seat Of CLAYTON. Elkader has manu-
factures and rich farming country TO sustain
her. Gutenberg has Commerce, SO also has
the thriving village Of Clayton City, and 30
also has McGregor. Gutenberg is IL miles
southeast, Clayton is 6 miles east and Nc
Greccr Is IL miles northeast of the proposed