Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-12-17

How the Name of Tafton was Changed TO
Bloomington,

knowing that the public have an
interest IN the manner in which the
names OF towns are changed, we ask
further Indulgence in giving place in
your columns for this communication.
In conjunction with other undis.
putabie testimony, Mr.. IL. A. w Nc
Mar, member OF the County Board
and At the time the bill changing
the name Of Tafton to Bloomington.
was passed member of the Legis,
ature, gave TO the board at their
annual meeting his testimony that
to his personal knowledge The bill
was passed against majority favor
ing Tatton upon the remonstrance
protesting against il. That this fact
was known To the GRAFT County Del
egation, Mr.. Burr, also member of the
County Board, gave his statement
that, 10 his personal knowledge, the
Governor reluctantly siged the bill,
stating as his reason, that it belonged
TO a class OF legislation properly by
lac delegated to County Boards
they having a better opportunity Of
Knowing the wishes Of the people
than the legislature could have. At
the special meeting IN July, a major
ity Of the registered voters OF the
town asked the County Board to re
store the name OF Tafton The board
pledged that ut the annual meet
ing in November they would decide
the matter AT the annual meeting
both parties presented what new ad
dltlonal voters could be found. Mr..
Sargent, also member Of the board
and representative Of Bloomington.
admitted TO the board that Tatton
had upon her petition a majority OF
the registered voters of the town, al
the same time made motion to re
fer the matter TO the people at the
spring election, which would defer
the matter for Il year before an action
by the board could be reached-tc
them Il new matter for osideration
The resolution was passed, McNail
and Burr opposing; Sea on, Woot
aad Sargent favoring. Tafton fell
that the grossest injustice was being
done her, having already voted up
on the question once at the spring
election, and at a special election
called for the express purpose, a
which those in favor of Bloomington
refused to vote, knowing themselves
in the minority. The board being
importuned, rescinded the previoul
resolution and ordered an immediate
election, which was not favored by
Mr.. Sargent. On the morning of th,
election the town had 220 registered
voters, of which A did not vote
leaving 176 registered voters voting
The town polled at the election q;
votes, 1876 being the largest vote ev
er polled previous y, showing tina
the town counted $50 votes, leavin.
Tatton 81 in the rear. Previous t,
the special meeting of the board, ant
the annual meeting, both partic
thoroughly canvassed the town AM
at the annual meeting Sargent tool
or legal voters-the supposed
last dregs Of the Bloomington voters
If there were 40 or so Bloomington
voters, why did he not take the
names up at the annual meeting AM
settle the matter in favor of Bloom
ington then, instead Of insisting be
fore the board as his only reason
that some Of the Tafton petitioner
had changed and were now in favo
Of Bloomington. The County BoarC
called an election, at the same tim,
publicly admitting that they had M
authority in law for such submission
or calling an election. Forty -fouI
Disguised registered voters stayed al
home, refusing to vote upon the ques
ton a third time. While thirty un.
registered voters voted without max
ing an affidavit. Recruits from Gler
Haven, Wyalusing, Little Grant anC
Beetown upon simple affidavit stat
ing that they had no knowledge 0
the day when the board bore tri
umphantly off Bloomington victory
Signed by hundred and forty registered cters an
! petitioners to the County Board, asking that the
name-Taiton-be restored TO them