Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-26
County Matters.


ncl;cy the interests of the county demands.
Without much preface or circumlocution' we
,ronose to discuss these matters as they ap-
pear to Us. -,
Last spring. by a majority which surprised
M all. the people of the county voted TO re-
move the Co. Seat to its present location
Tbare we're no provisions in the enabling act
f,r transacting the public business here until
.ri.able buildings could be erected at the new
csnitsl-its language was imperative-and
orsrv voter must have understood tfat if
majority of the votes cast were in favor of the
romoval. the official canvas would declare the
,loca DESIGNATED. to be the Co. Seat, and the
comfy business must be transacted there, and
q. there were no buildings there, it followed
Of course. that the county must erect them
The county business has been done in Perry
aterm of the circuit court has been held in an
extemporized and sort of spontaneous shed
and the county offices and officers, with all
the valuable records. of which there is no abb
siract made, are "cabined'' and confined in
small, inconvenient and unsafe log dwelling.
Now it is clear that this state of things can
not be allowed to exist. If the Co. Board of
Supervisors is TO be of any earthly use, its i'm
mediate business was to prepare safe and de-
cent places for its officers and offices. With
this purpose in view, the Board held special
meeting on the 18th inst. and passed an ap-
preparation of $500 in addition to the 3d.
900 previously appropriated. for the purpose
Of erecting county buildings. and provided
that a certain percentage of the taxes of the
present year be set apart for the purpose of
redeeming such orders.
This appropriation was opposed by the
members from this city the majority of the
people Of this city and the country adjacent,
are dissatifed with the action of the Board.
and the Transcript has INDUCED in violent
criticism on and opposition to it,
Before we join in the cry of disapproval. we
must know whsn this tax is to be levied and
how 1t is to be expended. The working clause
in the proceedings of the Board is as follows:
Resolved, That James Akers, o. c. Whit
ney and EnOch Quimby be hereby appointed
q building committee. to proceed as soon as
practicable TO erect such building or buildings
as in their opinion may he expedient and re-
quisite, and that said committee are author
lied to expend the sums raised for that pur-
pose. subject at all times to the supervision of
the board
Now, it is not only practicable, but neees-
sry to erect some building Immediately the
vital question is, what buildings in the opin-
lon Of that committee may be deemed "expe-
dent and requisite ?"
The sum voted, in cash, would put up as
good buildings as the county needs in county
orders, with their value as at present, it would
barely pay for digging the cellar OF a ONE
horse restaurant. 1t is clearly for the interest
Of the county to build with cash, or its equiv
aaHt and not pay out its paper at 40.per cent
discount and redeem it at par.
Now, gentlemen of the building commit
tee, let US move slowly and safely. Things
have changed since the people voted on the
removal Of the Co. seat; war times are on
US; taxes, State and county. will be higher
than previously; currency is deranged; and
most men are feeling somewhat uncertain and
aPprehensive of the future. 1t is not a good
Time to go on with great public Improvements.
II seemsto us that the best policy is to erect
building which will answer present necessi-
Ties at as small cost as possible, and which
for he
no longer needs it. Then go about the work
Of building something permanent, Just as soon
as our county currency becomes valuable,
ahd pursue it as fast as it can be done adj
Tantageously. but don't issue $1,000 in orders
iof work TO the amount of half that sum.
10 come right down to the plain fact the
putting up of Co. buildings is opposed now
by many, because they hope to have the Co.
Seat removed again while those who are sat-
lshed with the present location. are naturally
anxious to have it fastened there by costly ex-
penditures The latter class are in majority
in the Co. board, and their action SO far has
been very natural at least. But gentlemen.
deal mercifully with us. Remember
-" it is excellent
To have giants strength bat it is tyannous
10 use it like giant.'
Without claiming any prophetic wisdom.
Teventure to assert that the Co. Seat will re-
main permanently where it is now located,
and there is no necessity for hasty and ILL
Tuned expenditures to make certain what is
already sure thing.
lew words about our county finances
Inc county paper, which should be as good as
aO'es on the City Bank of Prescott, is nomi-
AAuy worth go cents on the dolla,, but there is
~ demand for If, and business men do not
-'Ae 10 take it at those figures. What is the
N-uSe OF this7 1t is simply the fault Of those
'NO have controlled county matters. The
s =, has been "run'' on the supposition
GOV 'n'all taxes meant economy, and that good
I'., management consisted in paying as
-''le OF ones debts as possible. There is no
s'h why Co. orders should not be worth 95
Today, except the distrust which bust.
"eh now feel in the disposition of the
A., 10 raise sufficient tax to pay its in
-nhess. If reasonable tax, of saw 6 or
.a 0n The dollar, had been levied last fall.
,h. orders would have been better to-day
D. 'ee-iourths of our Wisconsin currency.
eo,.' Shat did the County Board doY They
e,t,aa, eu the liabilities Of the county and the
>. expense for the current wear AZ a .or-