The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1885-01-23
COUNTY SEAT sQuABRLEs.
What They Have Cost tho People IL
the Past.

~~0
the Past.
1t is deeply to be regretted that any question
should have been raised at this time against
carrying out the clearly expressed will of the
people Of Steele county, as expressed at the
hallot-box, In regard to the removal of the
county seat to Sherbrooke, especially in view OF
the fact that the time seemed auspicious for
healing the local discussions in the county
growing out of former county seat troubles.
If there Is county in Dakota in which the
people need rest from county seat squabbles,
and time to turn their attention to the develop
ment and welfare OF the county, that county is
Steele. For more than two years the different
sections Of this county have been antagonized
because of the county scat schemes of individ-
uals who hoped to benefit by them, keeping the
people in continual state of excitement and
uncertainty. A little over two years ago, when
Hope formed part OF Griggs county. occurred
the memorable struggle to retain the county
seat at Hope, which cost the people more tins
aud money than would have erected and
equipped steam flour mill, that would have
done the town many times more good than the
location of the county seat, but which resulted
in avictory for ooperstown--through treach-
cry, it was caimed-hut which, nevertheless,
antagon2rd the eastern and western sides of
Griggs county. The bitter feeling engeniersd
in that struggle has not yet been ohlitsraied,
and it has cost Hope much in the way of trade
Two years ago the Legislature passed bill
creating Steele county out of Traill and Griggs
counties. At the same session the people Of
the western part of Trail succeeded in having
bill passed providing for an election to 10
held 10 vote OH the question OF location of the
county seat This election was to be held prior
to the election OIL tho question of division, It
was at this time that Trail Center was plated
and supported fer county seat by the western
end Of Trail. In this election the people that
..ow live in the northeastern end of Steele
county took an active part. The passions and
prrjudices of the people Of Traili county were
inamed to degree seldom witnessed Both
ends of the county claimed victory, and the
courts We're at once resorted to. Then fol-
lowed the election for division and the organ
lzation of Steele county. This added fuel to
the flames. Immediately suits were instituted
against the officers of Steele county, which are
still pending. There Is no use attempting to
deny that there was a very considerable num-
ler Of peopie living along the Sheyenne and
on the northwestern end that were opposed to
the formation of Steele county. But at the
late election they determined 10 mako the best
OF the position in which they found themselves
placed, and, uniting with those of like mind
In the northeast end and conteG Of tlle county,
determined upon placing the county seat in the
exact geographical center of the county, which
would accord, as near as might be, exact ius-
tice to all.
! Only last week decision was rendered by
| Jndge Hudson in the Traill county seat case
| adverse to the claims of Traill Center. This
decision releases the people in Engsr and hew-
burgh from any obligation to further oppose
Steele county, and, with the county seat located
atSherbrooke, they would at once fall into liue
and unite in making Steele county Of which
all might be proud.
tits safe to say that the squabbles above emu
nerated have cost the people engaged in them
In litigation and otherwise not far from SAC, 900.
All this large sum the people, in one way or
another, must pay. They have seen their sub
| stance frittered away to enrich and swell the
bank accounts Of Fargo attorneys. Is it any
wonder that they are sick and tired of this con-
dtion of affairs, and that they will hold to a
strict account in the future those merchants
and others in Hope who haye again plunged
them into a tigation the result at best OF
which will only be Of doubtful advantage to
| the town.