Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-10-23
New County and Canal Extension.

In treating these two question now and
in the future, it will be the purpose
of the writer to avoid so far as he can,
consistently with the requirements of
the situation, going over any ground
that has already been covered by pre-
vious articles from his own and other
pens. Should he, however, at any time
make use of arguments OR state facts al
ready used, it will be because of the zeal
felt to present entirely the merits of the
two subjects that head this article to the
intelligence and understanding of the pco-
pie, in the hope of cnlsting their active Co
election a decisive expression of public
opinion thcrcupon.
First, as regards the New County, put
ting aside for tic present any further ar
gumcnts showing why We should have
it, it is proposed to show horr 1t ca. be had
and how the necessary legislation proyid-
ing therefor, Gun be lad at the kaAds Of tie
nclt LfgiSiature Art. Xiii, Sec. l, of the
state Constitution:
THE General Assembly may provide, by
law for organizing new counties, !"
but no new county shall be organized with
out the consent Of the ma ioriiy of the legal
voters RESTING mithin tie limits Tropossd to
be t0fmed ,nt0 sFd HcW rounty, 4 X
and no new county shall contain less than
400 square miles nor less than 10000 white
Inhabitants"
The same in both respects, of course,
must he left to each of the old counties.
Knowing then, the fact that i'll the two
counties there are between 10000 and 80
GEO inhabitants, the only questions that
can ar.ac are those regarding the area that
is, whether there be I 200 square miles in
Garrett and Allcgany, and ifso, whether or
not The requisite territory can be taken
from Garrett without reducing her popula
ton below 10000 people.
As regards the first question, we have
the authority Of the Oldest surveyors here,
that the twD contain more than 200
square miles, also the knowledge of the
fact that they never We're accurately sur
ycycd, there having been 10 adequate
motive to do SO at the time 100 miles
we're assigned old Allegany, her mountains
being then deemed 4 wilderness, in all
probability never to become valuable.
Then as to the question of not reducing
the population of Garrett below 10000, it
is to be remembered that it has been five
years at least since the census was taken
showing her 10 have 1l,000, and that the
mountainous regions on the west of our
coal fields are very sparscly settled, from
which We can get the requisite territory, it
is believed, with but little reduction of her
population.
Certainly then, with these facts we can
make out Il pr|ma .tdcie case before the
Legislature in favor of the new county. and
with the utmost propriety and good sense.
ask the passage of Il bill providing for its
formation agreeably to the requirements of
the Constitution relating thereto And
such bill would be supported by the rep
roscntatives of Western Maryland, and, we
believe, not opposed by those of the East
crn shore, wherein Wicomico county was
formed, in 1867 from two counties having
but 1000 square miles and 81, 900 inhab-
itants.
Secondly, as regards the merits of the
canal extension project to Westernport, the
want OF space and time at present forbids
lengthy treatment thereof 1t may be
eriet1y said, however, that it can lie done
1t was made from Georgetown to Cumber.
land when the resources of the State were
not half they are today, and the money
with which TO do it is now in the treasury