The new North-west., 1890-03-21
Deer Lodge, Montana.
COUNTY DIVISION.
Views of n Co0l-Hea,led Doer Lodger.

Editor Ncm Nortl- Vest:
notice in the Anaconda Standard Of Tues
day special dispatch from pbilipsburg, Of
date March 18th. expressing views favorable
to division Of this county, which are refer.
red to approvingly in the editorial columns
of that paper. .&-#...@.9" .5-m o5x'&. ..r.-aM
In common with many other citizens OF
Deer Lodge, both Democrats and Republi
cans, have been for the past three years in
favor Of a division Of the county, though not
for the reasons stated in the dispatch refer
red to. However, hope the gentlemen of
Philipshurg and Anaconda are in earnest,
and that something will come Of the move
ment which they threaten, Shall not quar-
rel with them about their reasons, SO long as
they are willing 20 work for contamination
which many of us here so much desire. On
the contrary, Il number Of us will most heart
ily unite and cooperate with them in the
accomplishment Of their avowed object.
AS they have been candid enough to state
their reasons in part at least, it Is only fair
that | should state some OF ours and hare
they are
lst, The population and taxable property
u.
"a, Our territory is large, and while most
ofitis sparsc!y settled, there are three cen
ters Of population which are widely sepa.
rated, have but little interests in common,
and each Of which is we'll able to support a
county government. refer to Deer Lodge,
Philipsburg and Anaconda
3D.. a. diversity of local interests has already
developed i'll feeling and iealousies in the
different sections, which are certain to in
crease aud aggravate our difficulties
tth We are even now practically thrae
counties for all purposes except for munich
pal government The organization and ac-
ton of the county conventions of both
political parties for the past five years have
sufficiently shown this.
5th. The expenses OF our present county
organization are enormous, and I believe
sufficient to meet the expenses of threo
county governments, where the population
of each is compact and homogeneous and
there need be no increase in taxation. The
reduction in the single item Of mileage Of
Jurors and witnesses will go a long way to-
ward oti-setting any increase of expense in
other directions; and, beside the saving to
the county treasures, II can be readily seen
what an immense saving it would be to ind
vidual litigaDts who now reside at great dis
tances from the county seat. ..s9$.a
9th. There need be no trouble about divi-
sion Of territory or of county property. AS
to territory, let the people Of each precinct
in the settled portions say, "under which
king Bezonlan y and if we cannot agree as to
the lines Of division through uninhahited sec
tions, let us arbitrate, The appraisement aud
division of county property and the appor-
tionment of Indebtedness to each new county
would be merely matter for clerks and ac-
eountants.
7th. We would have an increased and more
equitable representation in the State Senate
than we now have under the scandalons ap.
portionnent provided by our State Consti-
tuition.
Bth. Under present conditions there can
never again be good feeling between the sec.
| tions, harmonious administration Of county
affairs, or decent county politics.
Let us divide by all means, and do so at
| once. The longer we try to hang together,
the worse it will be for all sections.
Let those favorable to division at Philips
| burg and Anaconda organize without delay,
aad we will do the same here There need
be no quarrel or further i'll feeling. We can
call a convention, discuss and agree upon
terms Of division, and unite upon a bill for
presentation to the legislature as soon as it
is ready for business. In the meantime we
! can canvass the matter in our newspapers
Are the people of the county in favor o.
division? If not, why not t2 "m
Let us hear from you.
| 4 DEER LoDGEk.