Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1885-03-25
Emmons County Record
WLLIAHSPORT, DAKOTA.
D. r. srREETER Hdtor and Publisher,
ol1oial Paper of the County.
ADDITION, DIVISION AND Ds1LENCE

ADDITION, DIVISION AND SILENCE
This manner in which the bill providing
for the division of Emmons county was
rushed through--or, rather, around-the
Legislature, is one which brings no credit
to those who framed it or worked for its
success. We are Informed that it was put
upon its passage ut the close of the session,
when most of the members were engaged
in the serious and dignided work of throw
ing paper wads and other missiles at one
another. 1t provides-as was necessary
in order to secure the Governors sigma
ture-that the question shall be sub
mitted to the voters. Bullet US see in
what way the letter compares with the
spirit OF the bill. Emmons county is 48
miles long and more than 80 miles wide.
Two precincts were provided-one at Wi
mona and the other at Williamsport
From the southeastern part of the county
to Winona the distance is thirty or more
miles, and from the northwestern corner
to Williamsport the free and independent
American citizen must travel 18 or 90
miles to cast his ballot. At any other
season of the year the hardship of the
journey would not be so great and the
injustice of the arrangement so apparent.
But the roads, luckily, are in good con-
dition, and present no obstacles to travel
Those most interested in the outcome of the
present election-those who have every
thing to lose, and nothing to guin--those
living far away from both Winona and
Williamsport-these who have no partic-
ular interest in either county scat or a
proposed county seat-they are the ones
who have the greater distance to travel.
But, if we mistake not the signs, THEY
WILL MAKE THE TRIP. II they do, the
division goose 10 cooked.
The RECORD does not here desire to
read any one lecture as to how his vote
shall be cast, nor is there reason to sup
pose that vote could be turned by such
means. Men have always cast their bal
lots in furtherance of what they consider
their best interests, and there is little like
lihood of their departing from the prac-
tice in this instance. But it is the prov
ince of newspaper to speak the truth,
according to its information of the facts.
And the RECORD would be false to its
duty did it fail at this juncture to point
out the scandalous methods which have
been employed to prevent an expression
of the peoples will in this matter. II
goes without saying that any legislation
which submits question to the untram.
meled decision of the voters of county OF
territory is wholly unobjectiopable, and
should not provoke complaint from
the defeated party to the controversy.
But, on the other hand, any act, from
whatever source, which tends to place OBJ
stacles in the way of free ballot, should
call forth the scverest condemnation OF
all citizens, on either side. That motive.
Of self-interest would lead many men to
vote tor division-had honest means been
employed-is true; but feeling of re-
| vulsion and 4 distaste for the nauseout
dose come even to these when they calmly
consider that there has been no demand
whatever from the people of this county
for separation that in the whole agitation
the only men at work Tor division have
been nonresident land spcculator anG
his copartners; that, result as it may, the
election is not by any means fair ex
preston Of popular will and that every
"yea" vote thrown is simply a com
pliment to the ability of Henry Douglal
as townsite rustler and manipulation Of
| modern sole