Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-12
For the JOURNAL.
The War.

County.
The magnitude of this little affair, and
its various concomitant expenses upon
tue tax payers of the county, should
claim the consideration of all, particu-
larry at a time like the present, when
state and county taxes are necessarily
high in consequence of the assistance
promised (most commercially too) to
| families of volunteers, should every tax
payer count the cost, both at present in
dollars and cents, and in its future bear
ing upon the prosperity of our county.
High taxes, however grievous it may
seem to US, is not the worst feature at
tendant upon the present state Of affairs
in our county. High taxes expended in
laudable improvements, or for patriotic
purposes, may make rich returns. But
this reckless pitching in and general
onslaught upon the finances of the
county, simultaneous with bitter oppo-
sition to any county tax whatever, seems
to be one Of the inconsistencies not easily
comprehended.
To those gentlemen who have recently
manifested such q desire to make collec-
tons from the county, let me PROFOUND
one question: Why is it, gentlemen, or
how is it, that you expect your pay from
the county, and yet oppose the collection
of the county taxesf For it is no less
true that there is general onslaught
upon the treasury of the county from a
certain locality, than that this hostility to
the collection Of the taxes springs from
the same quarter, and mainly from the
same individuals who are So camorous
for their pay from tho county. You
withhold the key to the money drawer,
and punish your willing creditor because,
forsooth, he will not open it and pay
you. o, Inconsistency! thou art not a
jewel! The only version applicable to
this course of conduct must be this:
That if you give up the key or, in other
words, suffer the tax to be collected,
other honest creditors, or other localities,
may come in for share of the benefits
arising from tho expenditure of the coun-
ty funds.
The energy manifested in this warfare
upon the county seat, for it is this which
you are really opposing, disguise it as
you may, it is part of the great cam
paign against the county seat, which
question was supposed to be fairly settled
last spring at the polls, by majority of
almost two to one against you, and i'll
favor Of the present location, as it most
certainly will be again if you force your
opponents to another contest. But your
energy IN the premises thrown in favor
of just and equitable policy towards
the accomplishment of the wishes of a
majority of tho people of the county
certainly would be valuable, and worthy
the highest appropriation.
1t would save to the tax payers of
this belabored county thousands of dol
lars in revenue, and beget feeling of
fraternity which would be priceless. You
have no excuse for this war upon the
county scat. You fought the battle last
spring with equal advantages, and were
vanquished. Why now this guerrilla
warfare about matter once fairly aud
honorably adjusted.
Had you pursued the right policy last
spring after the election, the county Off
ces would have remained where they
were for the summer, and perhaps long
er; for it was not the the desire nor ex-
pectation of tho friends of the county
scat, nor of majority of the Board of
Supervisors, to occupy the new county
scat for county purposes until such time
as suitable accommodations could be
made in the way of buildings, etc. But
you said remove-your opponents pro-
tested-you were memorable. And the
county officers took up their departure
for the wilderness, supposiug themselves
in all humility to be the servants of the
whole people, and as such should play
the accommodation to all.
In consequence of this sudden removal
to place in the woods, destitute of
shelter for men or books, the Board of
Supervisors had to make extraordinary
expenditures in fitting up offices and
shelters to protect the books and records
from downright destruction. And in
view of the premises, it was their imper
atlve duty to proceed with all possible
dispatch to erect suitable buildings for
Wiki Int Al.