The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1864-11-26
Proposed Division of Boise County

certain influence has been quietly but
.industriously at work for some weeks ca.
deavorlng to effect divisionot Boise county
and the creation of new county to include
Boise valley, and all of the southern portion
of this county.as now organized. 1T is pro-
posed to run a line, commencing on Snake
river, opposite, the mouth of Goose creek
along the present boundary line between
Alturas and Boise counties to the junction OF
Grimes creek with Boise river, thence across
said Boise river at right angles with the river
to the dividing ridge between Boise river val
ley, and the junction of Moore's and Grimes
creek, thence along the ridge to Snake river.
There is in all projects of this kind an in
side and an outside wheel one which rotates
to the public view, placarded with reasons
designed confluence the popular mind in its
favor, the other sedulously concealed from
public knowledge, revolving for the. benefit of
the few behind the scenes, who. expect to. de-
rive from it some Individual profit.
The outside wheel IN this case presents a
less attractive or convincing appearance to
the people, and especially to the taxpayers,
than usual. It is urged on behalf of the
measure that the county is very large, and
that the citizens of one portion of the county
are necessarily put to much trouble and ex-.
pense inetransacting business at Che county
seat.
There is some, truth in the objection. The
long, time valuable, and travelling
expensive. But look at the other side.
First, as it effects the people remaining in
Ihe psesent county.
Boise county originally comprised all of
Southern Idaho. From that county two new
counties have beeu organized, Altnras and
understanding from US the two districts
with the most abundant resources.
At the time the division was made, a large
county debtthad already been created. BY
he action of the Legislature thosetwo new
,oanties seeded from US, assuming no por-
ion Of the Indebtedness, but leaving the
whole upon the shoulders of the taxpayers
If Boise county. This was manifestly unjust
4 dissolution of a private association under
imilRH circumstances would be viewed as an.
outrage.
tits now proposed torrepeat-the wrong by
seyering the agricultural portion of the coun-
". The county Indebtedness has increased
o about seventy thousand dollars. 1t has
,eenp created asrmnch forthe benefit of Boise
ALLEY as for any,otber poption of the COUNTY
t will be certainly grieEous hardship for
he tax-payersif they are,forced TO shoulder
his debt, with their diminished resources.
amounts to BDise county. paging4the ex-
for three counties, as well as its own.
Second, its~effect on the. people ofstha pro-
'osed county.
While It is true that occasionally an indf-
idual is put to some inoouveniencea by the
distance to the county seat, yet the distance
no greateNthan portion of the citizens off
very county are compelled to travel. The
essions of the District Court are not frequent,
nd but comparatively few affected by1
hem.
D Under a newgceunty organization, the ex-4
lenses now distributed among the people of
he whole county, must be met by the few.
The country proposed for the new county
contains many fertile spots, but is sparsely
populated and developed, Land must remain
% for many years. With new county comes
! brood of hungry. office holders who must
,e supported A courthouse, hospital, Jail, |
md other buildings must heaerected. Taxa
ion, high and repeated, must. be resorted to-
a order to carry on the county Organization.
This county has now a jail that cost ia cash
Sl3, O0O-a hospital and other, buildings.
there is no necessity for additional expense
z, erecting others.
KnpMing from experience in this county
low rapidly expenses accumulate and debts
Increase, with all our towns, population, and
immense resources, the people should count
he sestsof this experiment. # this county !