The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-03
RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
San Bernardinoites Talk Against Its
Formation.
The Horned Toad of the Desert Made
to Cut a Figure In the
Argument.

There was very lively and interesting
session of the Senate Committee on Coun-
ties and County Boundaries last evening
to hear the concluding testimony and
| arguments of citizens of San Bernardino
and San Diego in opposition to the forn1a-
ton OF the proposed new county of River
side from portions of the counties named.
The first gentleman to address the
committee was Joseph Brown, proprietor
of the San Bernardino Times nder and a
leading citizen of that county. He said
that the advocates of the proposed new
county were asking to have set apart q
large portion of the richest agricultural
portion of the county. The town of
Riverside is SO near San BernarCiino that
the journey can be made three or four
times day by team, besides which there
are two lines OF railroad by which the
citizens can reach the present county seat.
Land IN the town of Riverside, he said,
is now assessed at $40 per acre, including
improvements. There is not sufficient
feeling between the citizens of San Ber-
nardino and Riverside to justify adivision
of the county.
In the County of San Dernardino, ont
side the disputed territory, there are
about 80, 600 acres of arabic land. His
chief reason Tor opposing u division was
that the taxes in San Bernardino would
be greatly increased. If any new county
is to be formed in that section it should
all come from San Diego County.
supervisor Lord OF San Bernardino
County next addressed the committee
He read a series Of resolutions adopted
by the SUPERVISORS of the county at re-
cent meeting opposing a division of the
county. He said that in the northern por-
AK H.
head OF population to thirty square miles,
including horn toads, and yet the aeivo-
Gates OF division talked of the valuable
land in that section of the county There
can be no further growth in that desert
country, although there is lots OF land up
there. There is railroad running across
that country, bat there will never be an
other. Up III the vicinity of Calico there
may be some assessable property, but he
couldn't say positively. The Assessor is
q Democrat, and Il very poor Assessor
probably the worst in California. He
omitted last year one large orange grove
and large ranch, the tax on which is
so,ae 81 500.
He said he was as good friend as the
Assessor has III the world; he IL q real
good fellow, but viii never learn any
thing about his business, as he has had
eleven years experience.
The TltEess-i is quite 9 humorist, and his
Quaint replies TO questions asked kept
the committee and auditors in constant
laughter.
Senator Berry, pointing to a spot on the
line of the railroad, asked: us there a
town there?"
Well replied Mr.. Lord, "you might
lind one If you looked close"
lis there town at this point ?'
y couldn't say" replied the witness, Il
passed through there IN the night"
What is the meaning of Cueamungo?''
asked Senator Goucher.
CLEAR sight, quickly responded the
gentleman from thewide sweep of desert.
Chairman Campbell began to get I'm
easy, and suggested that if there was any
one else present who could impart some
OF the information desired, he would like
TO hear him.
MI. Lord then gave way to Assembly,
man Lynch of san Bernardino, who pro-
eeeded to describe. the character and
value Of land in that county. Division
now, he said, would set the whole county
backward for years. It would take away
the best and richest of the land in San
Bernardino, and leave but a small area
outside OF desert and the poorer quality
of soil. 1t would be a manifest injustice
to throw upon the old county the burden
of supporting that vast and unfertile ter
ritory.
John Brown, of San Bernardino, next
spoke in opposition to division. He said
that fully nine-tenths of the people of the
county are opposed to division. River
side has been made 50 blossom by water
that comes from the mountains of old San
Bernardino, and all the interests of the
people are Identical; the people are one
and the same-they are all proud of and
mutually interested in the grand success
of that portion of the county which en-
braces Riverside, with her rich gardens
and orange orchards. He protested
strenuously against any division of the
county. The county might as well be
annihiiated at once. When ones heart
is taken out, the whole body may as well
be taken. San Bernardino not only pro-
vides the Riverside section with water for
its citrus groves, but the water that the
people there drink.
After some futher testimony and argu-
ment on the part of the i-divisionists
of the old county, Dr.. Gregory, of San
Jacinto (Which is included in the pro-
posed new county,, spoke against di-
vision. He said thepeople of the south
ern portion of what would be Riverside
County are opposed to its formation.
The committee adjourned without talk
ing any action on the bill.
DIED