Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-06-17
I,c.D:strictin- of the County.

hclent 10 ulScndrSe tHe Woih VI '"oSS
districts. The location OF the magis-
trates for the convenience of the people
is highly important aud must be con-
sidered.
Take the new district of Potomac and
Shepherd consolidated, you have teri
tory of about ten miles long by five
wide. .ShepherdStown situated on the
rivcr,the different boundaries of the dis
trict being about five miles distant.
Shepherdstown must have one magis-
trate under the proposed arrangement,
where then would the other magistrate
be located for the convenience OF the
people? On account of the size OF the
district and the position of Shepherds
town, it would be impossible to name
any locality suitable; even if the place
could be agreed on, perhaps the best
mn might not live there.
Moreover an eXigency might arise
from the absence of one magistrate and
the sickness Of the other, that no one
would be present to discharge the duties
of the office. Ofcourse that mi ght occur
in district as now laid off, but the diff
ticulty would be provided for by the
proximity of the other magistrates in
the adjoining district; there being now
two in Shepherdstown and two in the
country.
We have no doubt that these objee-
tions are strong against consolidating
lIarper's Ferry and Bolivar districts.
The principal argument in favor OF five
districts as urged by our opponents is
to take from Potomac, Shepherd, liar
per's Ferry and Bolivar the power to
rule the county as given them by the
Radicals. If this supremacy (since the
Democrats have control of the county,
has been used or attempted to be used
TO interfere with the business of the
county,we have never heard OF it. But
ii the other end of the county is entitled
to the power on account of larger terri
tory and population, give them another
district and the President Of the Court.
We are in favor Of whatever is fair
and right; bnt We are very much oppO-
sed to reducing the number OF the dis
tricts and consequently the court to ten,
as il would be more easily influenced
imposed on by high bills and corrupted.
In addition 10 these forcible considera-
tions, the convenience of the people
must be regarded We do not believe
that two magistrates would be sufficient
for either of the new districts.
If the county is re-districted many
citizens living near Charlestown and
Shepherlstown will be forced into the
IIarper's Ferry district. We ask our
opposing iriends,is the golden rule dead.
If the parties who are forced into the
new districts have no rights, how
would we like to have coercion applied
TO US? We care very little about the
pinching shoe, unless it gives us pain.
But our friends say they intend to give
those aggrieyed parties voting pre-
cinct at Halltown to appease their
wrath This will not satisfy them. They
do not wish their old relations broken
up. They bitterly, violently oppose be-
ing forced to pay higher school taxes.
Have you the moral right to force this
change OH them to their great pecunia-
nv loss You have not; and they will
contest the forced change in the courts
by the best legal talent that can he OBJ
tanned.
We ask our friends again-how can
they reconcile it to their Sense of jus
tice, their consciences, TO use coercion
OH their neighbors and brothers when
they are so much opposed to it on high
moral and constitutional grounds?
But our opponent replies-do We
think it right for the Bolivar and Har-
per's Ferry districts to be burdened with
exorbitant school taxes! This is 10
some extent temporary because the pub,
lie works of lIarper's Ferry have been
abandoned. We hope that this misfor-
tune will soon be removed by the re-sale
of the Government property. We wish
TO see lIarpers Ferry prosper for her
sake and for the good of the whole
county. We are all interested in her
prosperity. May it soon come and in
great abundance
For the present we are willing to
assist those districts. Their school taxes
can be made the same as in the other
districts, by common county school
fund.- if after thorough investigation it
is thought best. 1t is certainly more
equitable for the whole county to assist
our unfortunate brothers of the Harpers
Ferry and Bolivar districts, than to
largely increase III, school taxes of those
wnnm ynn force into the new uaruer's