Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-06
,.m RIVER COUNTIES.
Letter Upon the subject OF their Con.
solitlalion from One Who Favors 1t.

soItdaetOn from One Who Fav0rs 1t.
Editors Press and Ddkotaian 1T is with
pride that the Dakota valley farmers look
upon the effort our member Of the legisla-
ture il making to fulfill the pledge he made,
that if elected he would work for the con-
'solidation of these small. narrow counties,
SO made few years ago in the interest Of a
Yankton clique. Empty pocketed tho oagh
they we're, had they not long since lost their
grip in these parts, would have "raised the
wind" out of their we'll laid schemes.
The Hon A. Brown was elected on the
issue Of consolidation alone, by respecta-
ble majority, and there are many in this
district who did moi vote for him, that are
hearty supporters of the project, and if Mr..
Brown is successful, will say, "well done,
good and faithful servant" The only par
ties opposing the issue are the owners of
town ties, and very few deluded individu.
ais they influence. II we have men SO igno-
rant as to believe that the county seat is all
that IS requisite to make their respective
towns great cities, the sooner they are ad-
judged insane, the better for all parties con-
cerned. In my long residence here, have
not found man that can advance reason
able or unbiased reason Why two of these
narrow counties should not be made into
one, they would not then be any too large {;
we would have one set Of officers less to sup
port, one court house and Jail less to build,
lighter taxes, and less local strife. We
would have just as many cities, towns and
villages, if they haye the natural advant-
ages and capital TO make them such. This
thing Of taxing the many to build up a
privileged few, is played out in an agrcul-
tural district like this. lam pleased tofay,
the owners of our towns that have natural
advantages to make them prosperous. places,
have the good sense to zee the absurdity ol
fighting against the will of the people forthe
little honor Of being called the county seat
We have abundant room for all the towns
we have got. They are not snv too close 20
gether, all they lack :spopmlation and capi
tai to make them TEEN with industry, anG
not court houses. Then why this opposi-
tion 10 consolidation ? he that opposes mos
assuredly has an AK 10 grind.
Olivet, Milltown, Rockpoot and Frestee
will prosper all the same If it should fall to
the lot of one half of them to be without
county seats. The TACT of their being capitals
OF counties has not made them what they
are. Let he legislature wipe out our present
county lines and make new ones that we
may have couuties Of respectable size, like
Yankton, Minnehaha and Others. 1t is bet.
ter that few may now howl while our
population is small that large future pop
olation may be greatly benefited
l do not lose sight Of the fact that the
rank and file OF the chron ic Office seekers
who see more offices to creep into, in six
small counties than in three large ones,
will join hands with selti.h iowa te
owners in general protest. Three fOurths
of the debt of these river counties has been
expended in maintaining board of county
commissioners and county organization
w tuo OCliituCuk VI puoIiC
our county records will prove this to those
who doubt my statement.
AS have before stated Mr.. Browns
consolidation plank is what gave him his
seat 10 our legislative halls. Then why
should not the wise assembly give the 10th
district the much needed legislation
without further petition? If l were
to consult personal interest would
oppose the measure, holding as do one Of
the best Offices within the gift of the people
with two years to rum and expect TO step
down and out through consolidation. am
not financially interested in any present or
prospective county seat and cannot be ac-
cused of having any personal motive in pen
ing this article. / have the future good and
prosperity Of this position Of our territory
at heart. came here to stay, and hope to
enjoy the good will and esteem of the peo.
pie and not to advocate the building up
and enriching few selfish people at the
public expense 1t is we'll known to all oul
old settlers that have always advocated
consolidation of these counties.
Very Respectfully Yours,
| ARTHUR ] PARsHALL.
= 0RN