Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-04-23
good faith that we cannot think it is Sc
riously advocated by any citizen Of
Meade county.
NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.


NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.
In casting our votes for the location
of the county seat Of Meade county we
are called upon for an expression of an
opinion on a question entirely removed
from the field Of politics, or party feel
ing. The question is one that requires
no aid in solving, but practical, every
day, good, common business Judgment.
1t is not a question that will, like the
selection of county officers be submitted
at every election, and if we make mis-
take now we cannot rectify it at the next
election. The law has wisely provided
that a county seat once located cannot be
removed at the whim, caprice and i'm
pulse Of disappointed malcontents, or
ambitious mercenary real estate boomers
Good and substantial reasons are re-
quired in order to effect the removal Of a
county seat once established, reasons
that will appeal to the unprejudiced, un-
biased Judgment of two thirds of the vot-
ers of the county. This being the case,
the wisdom and importance of starting
right; of making wise and judicious
selection at first is apparent.
The absolute right OF private judg-
ment in this matter so vitality affecting
the individual interests s.of all, must be
and is conceded to every voter. There
are no binding political, social or other
obligations resting upon any voter to
support the claims Of any town for the
honor to which it aspires in becoming the
county seat Of Meade county.
1t is the experience of everyone that
it is better and more convenient, and in
every way preferable to have the county
seat located at the commercial metropo-
lis Of the county; or, in other words, the
public business OF the county should be
transacted where the private business Of
the citizen of the county is generally
transacted. That Sturgis is now, has
ever been, and will in all probability re-
main, whether the county seat Of Meade
county or not, the commercial center of
the county, will hardly admit OF argu-
ment. Sturgis, without the aid and
assistance of being county seat, has
grown into town of fifteen hundred in
habitants, supplied with substantial, en-
terprising merchants in every line Of
trade, who have built up large business.
Merchants of every description required
in new country have established them
selves in Sturgis and are successfully
carrying on their trades. Banking facil-
tiles are all that the country demands,
and as good if not better than can be
found in any town the size of Sturgis in
Dakota. 1t is supplied with public
buildings in the way Of churches, school
houses and public halls that would be a
credit to town of twice its population.
In addition to the natural advantages
which have SO materially aided in build
ing up and making Sturgis one OF the
liveliest and best business points in Da-
kota, it has other advantages that will
always keep it to the front as the one
leading commercial town of Meade
county.
The location Of one of the largest, best
appointed and most beautiful military
posts in the United States in the immedi-
ate vicinity adjoining the townsite of
Sturgis will largely aid in maintaining
its commercial supremacy. In short, as
long as Fort Meade exists Sturgis viii
prosper.
The absolute certainty Of the early
completion of railroad from Sturgis to
the rich mining camps Of the Hills, and
the further certainty that speedily follow
ing upon the completion Of this railroad
system tapping the mines Of Ruby
Basin, Bald Mountain and Galena Of
the erection and operation Of smelters
and reduction works in Sturgis cannot
fail at no distant day to make Sturgis
not only the largest town in Meade
county, but in the Black Hills It is be-
You'd question that no town in the Hills
possesses better or more favorable loca-
ton, Or better prospects for the future
than sturgis.
The mere fact Of q town being the
county seat is not sufficient to make It .