The Van Buren press., 1877-05-08
How a Farmer Looks at II.

The following communication from
the pen of one Of our most substantial
farmers, is worthy Of careful considera-
ton. We are glad to know that the far
lner and tax payer Is alive to bis Inter,
eats IN this matter;
To 1HE VorERs OF CRAWFORD COUNTY,
IA the County Court Of said County has or
dered an election, In July, for the purpose OF
ascertaining whether the Court House shall
be rebuilt at Van Burcn. or anew one at AL
ma, let rs take u sensible and an impartial
view of this matter, and see where the Court
House should DC located, to accommodate the
majority of the citizens Of said county.
just take II view Of the population Of this
county, and where does the ma 10 ity reside ?
Does the majority live nearer Alma than Van
Barren? Come, let Us act Honest John"
Does not Van Buren, township vote onc-thlrd
Of the votes of Craw ford county. Then take
surroundings. Where does the majority live?
The people all know that large majority of
the citizens ofthis county live nearcr the town
of Van Buren than Alma, and 1t Is fact that
taHlIhl pt ttulSd NftlII tutlls ict us cast Out
vote " where it will do the most good to the
greatest number Of our tellow-citizcns.
Where can the Court House be built the
cheapest-at Alma or Van Buren? Come,
let us see not speaking about Col I. Me- prop
osition of building Court House at Alma
for six thousand dollars | like his butter,
but don't like. the way he spreads IT on lit
tnn thin ~ IbI fuEn ra i.,,r
of the matter Colonel, you might build n
sweet gum Court House box for that amount
OF money; but the people of this county
want respectable Court House. and II SO,
what viii IL cost! Say six thousand dollars,
hnishe up ut Van Buren What will 1t cost
ut Alma-l mean the county. In the manner
that she will have to build tit will cost her
warrants will not be worth twenty five cents
on the dollar; and who will build It for com.
ty warrants, and take them for more than
twenty five cents on the dollar? Nobody.
Consequently, YOU see that 1t Will cost the
county the amount abov. mentioned.
Now, If the Court Horse must be built ut AL
mn. OF necessity there must be n Jail. and
" nav " III ~ Sost-a kooh anu sHiutlctll Jtli-
in currency Say three thousand dollars.
Thus, you see that the County will have to
pay-with warrants as above-about twelve
thousand dollars for n Jail, and this added to
our calculation for the Court House. wound
make 1t cost the county about sixty-two
thousand dollars, II built anywhere else than
Van Buren,
Well, what can the Court House be built at
Van Buren,, We have the jail. To rebuild
to the old walls OF the Court House, will cost
live thousand dollars to make 1t better and
more convenient than 1t ever WIS before; and
tile citizens OF Van Iiur"n township will pay
two thousand dollars Of that money, and
lone the bllianae to the county, ata small
per cent, Until county warrants should be
worth something.
Now these are the facts in the case. And
fellow-voters, don't let the WIRE workers In
Alma or Van Buren so lead your minds that
you will not act Tor your own interest, and
TINT OF your family and your fellow tax pay
ers of Crawford county. As the Court House
cannot be built In the center of the county
this time. don't move 1t from the old stand
especially to the frog pond Of Alma.
'sr'-T-=r------ TAX PAYER.