Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1888-11-02
The County-Scat Question.
N fl,.. Edition nf 1 tl,a RrfoRp

. tNt i.0ltOf Ol tle RECORD.
After calmly aud dispassionatcly looks
ing over the proposition to remove the county
scat, for ono am convinced that to do 80 at this
time would no. be wise. In the first place, it is
premature. The ability to move II this fall ar
CUES the ability to move it with grenter ease at
any future period, inasmuch as the central and
southern portions of the county will m ore than
hold their propostion Of immigration, and for
this reason 1t would be wiser for them to wait
until IL could be permanently located. The fu-
tire of Winchester Is HI uncertain as that of
Danbury or Omio, Exeter or Emmonsburg, or
any other point in the county. The possibilities
arc that within two years not more than tenth
Of the taxpayers of Emmons county would de-
sire the sent OF government ut Winchester. Then
why take this uncertain step and incur this GER
tain expense'
believe that ultimately the county seat will
shall tcdre remain for the benefit of few in
dividuals A question of this character should
not descend to the low plane of private financial
gain A patriotic citizen would not ask it nor
support IL. The taxpayers of Emmons County
can afford to take time to deliberate, and then
net.
of the taxpayers, then why all this tireless cleo
tionecring on the part of those who are the own
crs of The Winchester townsite and adjoining
farms? Are the taxpayers 30 dull and blind that
they must be so earnestly entreated and SO pei
sislently electioneercd before they can compre-
hend their interests?
Ii in the end it should appear wise to establish,
the county seat at Winchester rather than else.
where, 1t can be done. When that time arrives
i can be moved without difficulty. That the
time has arrived, deny.
Tie law provides that the county commission
ers may prc-empt n quarter-scction of land cause
sa e SINE nm ito to be surveyed into tpn Iois and Sold
as fund for the erection of public buildings for
the use Of the county.
Now, II the advocates Of county.seat removal
nre sincere, and desire the county seat some
Whefe near the center OF the county, here Is O
propostion-and legal one-tO which we can
al agree. just as soon rs the advent of rail-
roads settles the geography Of the county, let
ite commissioners preempt IL quurter-section OF
sand ny provided for in sections 58G to $40 of the
i'oiiticnl code, at point ns nearly central as
possible, or where the taxpayers may designate,
nave 1t plated and Sold. With the proceeds VIC
can biild frstclass courthouse, Jail, ETC., and
have money left, without raising one dollar by
taxation say this because such townsite
would be valuable, us it would naturally be the
business center OF the county. Take time TO
lands just as available as the Winchester ste town town.
sue anu much more centrally located. and, with
the exception Of three very inferior buildings,
just as town!ike in appearance Such pre-
emption would he valnable-vALUAHLE TO ALI.
the taxpayers of the county Instead OF 10 three or
ana would be more centrally located; and,
withont expense the county could erect first
class public buildings. 1t would also remove
the subject from all suspicion Of private plotting
IOr private gain.
No one has right to enrich himself except
| IN business way, and the taxpayers OF the
county should certainly plaoo their collective
| interests above private speculation.
l. beiieve the county commissioners would
pledge themselves to deal fairly with all Sec
tions In locating the future county seat on gov
| ernment land believe 1t would be the means
OF procuring valuable public buildings without
expense to the county; believe It would be
WISE economical and businesslike.
Why not, therefore, stop and consider. Let
| II remain where it ~ for the PRESENT just az
| soon as the future permits, remove it to where
| sound business policy dctates and where the
COUNTY and not INDIVIDUALS will reap the ben.
| eiit or values her seat of government inparts.
If 1t can be moved next Tuesday II can be
| moved jus, as easily, easier, at some future
time; hence 1t follows that there is no need Of
| haste.
believe would be safe in pledging the sub
stantial support of the north end Of the county
| TO the removal of the county seat II such q
businesslike plan were submitted to them
Neither they nor l object to Winchester be-
cause 1t IL Winchester, nor because it is owned
by its present owners; it Is not that. 1t is be
| i'll the dar x. Omo has higher claims than any
postottice In the county at this time. 1t only
| lacks two houses of being as large as Winoles
ter, and is about six miles near er the geograph
| !cal center Of the county. But Omio does moi
| ask it.
Now. in all candor submit the question tc
| the taxpayers of the county: Had we not bet.
| ter wait and like business men, instead of like
spoiled children, develop better plan than the
present removal scheme7
Respectfully, ]. H. WonsT.