The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-05-01
Communication,

Communication.
Editor PIONEER EXPRESS:
The time is drawing near when the
people are to decide the question us to
whether or no the county shall be divid-
ed. Although we have seen nothing in
print in reference to the matter it is the
general report that there is considerable
local feeling manifested, especially in the
eastern portion of the county. 1t is u,,-
fortunate that the question cannot be de-
cided on itsown merits without tie bring
ing in of any subsidiary issue, as for in
stance in regard to the removal of the
county seat. What l say here is adj
dressed specially to those residing in the
three western ranges and who perhaps
should be more concerned than any
others in the proposed change. 1t is a
small matter to them whether the county
seat be removed westward to the rail-
way or not. The difference in the dis
lance is so inconsiderable in proportion
to what would still remain between these
three ranges and the railway, that the
little that would be gained in the way of
convenience would hardly equal the cost
of sucha removal. We hope that no vain
hopes nor any selfish considerations on
the part of those towns along the railway,
will prompt them to act unfairly in re-
gard to those in the western portion of
the county. Any fair minded man must
acknowledge that the county is too large,
especially when there is no likelihood of
having the county seat in anything like
central position. This is all l have to
say to those living in the valley. As for
those living out here OH the plateau 1
would judge that they should be very
much interested in the proposed change.
1t must be made sooner or later. That
seems certain, and ifso, I hold that there
is no time like the present. The change
will doubtless involve some additional
taxation, but probably not much more
than what would be necessary in case Of
removal of the county seat. If we do
go to the additional expense, we shall at
least have the satisfaction of knowing
that we have permanent establishment
of our own as the result instead of con-
tributing, first to the convenience of the
people in the valley and then having to
go off at last and keep house by ourselves.
l say that there is no time like the pres
ent for making this change, and my
principal reason for this is that if we
have new county organized in this
region we shall be in a much better
position in reference to the expected
railway than we now are. We shall be
better situated to secure the attention Of
the railway company. 1t will take more
interest i'll our towns, and especially in
the one that we select as our county seat.
Instead of having little hamlets like those
south of Park River in Walsh County
we shall have respectable villages like
those OH the line east of here. suppose
that it will in general be conceded that
the betterthe towns the better the chances
for manufactures and the more likely it
is that all county expenses will come
lighter ON the farming communities.
Suppose now that We are careless in this
matter and allow the question to be de-
feated; we shall then be MS we are now,
the outside hangers on to Pembina coun-
ty. We shall have been made merely
subservient to the plans of idle schemers
and Missionaries along the line of railway
east of here. BY using us as their tools
they may possibly succeed in placing the
county seat somewhere ON that line of
road. Ifso, the company will continue
to look upon that as their more important
line, and this for the one good reason, at
least, that it will have three county towns
on that line. while on the one running
through this region (thc Park River ex-
tension there will not be single one.
Besides this the locating of the hamlets
that we shall have, will most probably be
given by the company to certain polite
ians whose interests arc elsewhere as was
done last summer in Walsh County, and
we may have to do as did the people
down there, draw our grain across the
new track and take it to the other line of
road us usual. The insignificant elevators
down there are IN proportion to the size of
the hamlets. and altogether incapable of
handling the grain that is brought to
them. Hoping that these considerations
may receive due attention from those
more especially concerned. I remain,
Yours &C., ]. f. BERRY.
Alma, ID. T., April 10.
County Division Bill,