The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-12
[ooxnuxIcAfED1
New Counties.

Tie question of the creation of new
counties out of portions of some Of the
older counties of the State, will be before
the Fourteenth Legislature, and it is impor-
tant that the subject should have deliberate
consideration. There is, for instance, a
general feeling in the Legislature against
The creation Of small counties, but there
may be such thing as going ''leetle y
too far under the direction of this feeling.
It is sometimes the case that it is q matter
of necessity, as well as a matter of econo-
my, for an old county to surrender part of
her territory, and permit it to "set up for
ITSELF" The main, and indeed the only
questions to be considered in that connec-
ton, relate to the wealth, population and
territory Of the proposed county, and the
interest Of the old county concerned.
1t strikes me as self-eyident that new
county of half million dollars property,
as much as three hundred square miles,
and seven hundred voters, is capable of
sustaining itself, and not be heavy upon the
tax payers. Tax paying does not constitute
half the burdens of the country people.
When men have to ride-Or walk, if he
can't afford the luxury of a horse-from
twenty-five to seventy five miles TO perform
the duties of juror, to testify in court, or
ship, it becomes intolerably burdensome,
not only in the loss OF money for expenses,
but in the loss of time and absence from
business.
The old county, in cutting of territory,
very frequently gets rid of an clement of
strife and confusion, and gives a quietus to
questions, the agitation of which engenders
feuds and bad feeling among the people to
the serious injury of the country at large,
but particularly detrimental to the prosper
ity Of the county seat. Besides, the ex-
penses Of the old county are reduced to an
amoAnt nearly equal to the extent of the
revenues it loses by the territory 1T surrend-
ers. The terms of the district court would
be shortened; the number of roads and
bridges would be greatly reduced.
HI small counties the burdens would, in
tile main, be much lighter, particularly
when they get fairly under way. Their
roads would not be as long as the 'fnoral
law, nor their bridges as numerous as the
locusts of Egypt, and hence can be pro-
vided for without any great outlay of the
peoples money. Jurors, witnesses and liti-
giants would be convenient to their county
seat; the laws could be enforced with
greater energy and efficiency, aud there
would be GENERALLY more harmony and
unity of interest among the people.
IN addition to al this, the aggregate
wealth of the State would be increased by
the creation of small counties in the
wealthier and more populous portions of the
country; lands would, on account of their
proximity to the county seat, be enhanced
in value and brought into market. 1t oc-'
ours to me, therefore, that if the people
generally IN the territory to be cut off want
a new county, and have the essential prere
quisite Of population, taxable property and
square miles, they should be permitted to
organize, if the old county concerned makes
no serious objection. We merely desire to
call attention to this matter with these sug-
gestions.