The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-07

Ladies and Gentlemen: You will ex-
cuse me for reference to facts and topics
which, to many Of you may seem famil-
lar and common place. Ny lecture is
intended for those, also, to whom its top
les are new book. This day is the an
niversary of the birth of
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To him, next to the God who rules all,
we owe our rich inheritance of freedom.
His memory shall blaze along the track
of time, and die not, until free thought,
free speech and free men, are blotted
from the earth have only time to pro-
nounce his name can add nothing to
his fame His memory is securely en-
balmed in the heart of every American.
Our meeting tonight, in honor Of his
birthday, speaks more eloquently than
words of eulogy, our veneration of his
exalted character.
"oUR LOCAL INTERESTS"
is a subject which embraces larger field
than can be traversed in this short lee
ture. 1t comprehends our institutions of
learning; our churches, pixies, railroads,
factories and social culture, together
with many other subjects of equal i'm
portance Had time and opportunity,
/ should like TO demonstrate, how the
simple and virtuous occupation of gar
dening-the cultivation of single fields
in vegetables, fruits, &C., might add hun
dreCls of thousands of dollars to our an
nual productions, and hundreds of thrifty
people to our population. | might eX-
patiate upon the benefits of high-schools,
when adapted to the highest attainments,
and show their influence upon the social,
the intellectual, and the material well
fare of our noble city. l might portray
the effects upon our well-being, did we
but devote sufficient capitaf to start
single wooden factory, capable of employ
ing a large number of hands, and l
might enlarge upon the benefits of con-
branches of industry. 1 might, and
probably shall, at no distant day, insist
that Somerset cannot grow up to the
magnitude Of a great and powerful CEN
ter of business without being able to buy
her coal at cents per bushel, the year
round, and that she cannot secure this
desideratum without an additional line
of railway into the coal regions, which
line must be built by Somerset and con-
f,'oLled by her.
But among all the great questions
which affect our local interests, and
clamor most loudly for immediate at
tention,
THE COUNTY SEAT
will not permit postponement, or silence
We have never been convinced either of
the Justice or the legality Of it's removal
to New Lexington. We have never sur
rendered either our hope of its return to
US, or our efforts for its recovery.
More for the benefit OF the uninform-
ed, the youthful, and the hundreds who
have settled in the county within the last
few years, than for the edifcation of
those who have participated in the con-
flicts Of the past. I will refer briefly to
the record of events.
THE COUNTY OF PERRY
was organized in the year 1918. That is
81 years ago. Under statute of the
State providing for the "location and es-
tablishment of county seats in new coun-
ties" officials, known as Commissioners
appointed by the State, were directed tc
locate and establish county seats so as tC
respect
1st. Central position;
ID. Quality of land
Sd. Population.
The county then had its present bound
aries. In regard to position, Somerset il
between three and four miles northward
of the geographical centre of the county
In regard to quality of soil it is rather
south than north of the point sought by
the locating commissioners. In regard
to population, it was at first located south
of the centre This is apparent from the
map and the fact that only the foul
northern townships with Clayton, Jack;
son and Pike were then even organized
The total vote of these seven townships,
in 1918, was only abont as great as Read
ing township now casts alone-749
From these facts Somerset became the
almost necessary point. of location fol
establishment Of the county seat. Th'
law under which county seats are estab
lished, and which has grown venerable
with age, requires the Commissioners t.
purchase lands, not to exceed 700 acres
to divide it up in lots. and from the pro
ceeds of sales to refund the county treas
ury for cost of public buildings. Thi
could not be done in the case of Somer
set, in 1918, for there were no lands 70
sale near the point where the Commits
sioners felt bound to locate. AS sub
stitute for land the Commissioners re
1uired the infant village to donate
SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS IN MONEY.
get this bit of history, not only fror
old settlers here, but from Report {
Ohio Senate Select Committee on Hous
Bill No. 146, 1859. This was heav
draft on villoge Of 500 souls, and tho.
in the immediate vicinity who gav
from their scanty means.
1t is almost impossible to convey
you, after the lapse of ffty-seven year
the faintest picture of the situation ther
STUMPY STREETS,
log cabins, home-spun clothing, gris
going days journey on horseback
mill, the hum of the spinning-wheel, th
noise of the hand loom, buckskin breecf
es and linsey hunting g-shirts,- willing
pay $4,000 for the location and establish
ment Of the county ty-seat-$6000 obtaine
from the sale of coon skins and 9TH
trophies Of the chase; from maple sug
and tree molasses; from wheat at % CT
per bushel, when calico was So cents p
yard, and days wages but 81 CEN
and barrel of salt cost So in Zanesvill