The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-08-12
Which side is Most to Blame?

- SOAsSs.>AssJ -~
about the people of Lake county
blaming the west side citizens for
removing the county safe to Bald
win. The question is, how much
do they blame them? Do those cit
liens of Lake county who have a
full knowledge of events relative to
the County Seat trouble, believe
the west side citizens greatly to
blame in the matter? They do not.
In the first place, the county
property did not, strictly speaking,
belong at Chase. 1t was being held
there in technical violation of law.
The county Offices were in build
ing not at all suitable for the pur-
pose for which it was being used.
No loss in property could have re-
suited to the Taxpayers of the
county, occasioned by removal.
On the contrary, there would be a
benefit derived from the procuring
of u suitable building to contain
the Offices, safe, records, &c. The
question of removal had been fair
ly and legally submitted to the peo-
pie; they had voted to remove the
County Seat to Baldwin; the vote
had been canvassed and declared
in due form-a majority Of Sc in
favor of Baldwin; the Board Of Su-
pervisors had procured a building
at Baldwin, for use of county Off
GERS, and ordered removal of
county property into said building;
the Sheriff and Treasurer had
moved their Offices, in accordance
with law; the county safe rightfully
belonged in the Treasurer's Office;
the separation of the Office of Clerk
and the office of Treasurer would,
of course, lead directly to incon-
venience and extra expense to cit
liens generally, and certain of the
citizens of Chase and vicinity were
determined, if possible, to prevent
the removal of the county property
to the point decided upon by the
people as their County Scat. 1t is
useless to deny that there was a
prcconcerted arrangement to pre-
vent the removal of the county
property until the injunction should
havc been issued. We have it from
sources which we consider indis-
putable, that men were specially
summoned, and were at Chase, if
not all the time; certainly portion
of the time during Wednesday and
Thursday, and on the morning of
Friday, April Both.
Can any person, having a COM
pletc understanding of the facts in
the case, and possessing mind
entirely free from prejudice, say
that it was a fragrant violation Of
the law, the removing of the safe
Was there not great provocation
leading to the commission of such
an act; lawless as it may have been!
How much short of a rebellion
against the government of Lake
county, were the acts of certain
citizens of Chase? Can any one
expect of us, as a journalist to en-.
deavor to create a public feeling Of
Indignation against the parties in.
strumcntal in moving the safe, and
at the same time to praise the pet
ty clique, who by its acts more
than anything else, precipitated
the trouble upon Lake county
No! Ifthc Circuit Judge has prop.
or jurisdiction in the issuing of the
injunction, then may a lighter meas
urc of ccnsuro be given the com.
plainants in this dcplorable matter
but if, on the other hand, it ap'
pears that the Judge has no juris'
diction, what excuse can there be
to shield them from the severe and
just Indignation of the people,
Let blame rest where it truly be-
longs; but don't let us have an!
more of this onc-sided talk about
justice.