The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1892-02-25
OUR GLORIOUS RESOURCES
"A" Tells How they Have
Been Kept Down
And Suggests Better Men
For Commissioners.

Inc relative poSllloH VI NaSulHS-
ton in point of resources is admitted
superior to any county in the state.
Most of these resources are in every |
way magnificent. Its mineral belt
extends the extreme length Of the
county north and south, and develop
ments now being made give abundant
promise of marvellous wealth. The
timber area ranks with the greatest in
the state. Some counties show a
larger timber area on the maps, but
none possess greater proportion of
merchantable timber. Quite a few
counties surpass it in agricultural
production, but none approach it in
agricultural possibilities. Its stock
ranges are extensive and the increas
ing prosperity of our stock-growers
emphasizes the value Of these posses
(sions. No county thus far can show
greater wool clip, shorn from sheep
ranged within its own borders. Its
agricultural valleys are all well wat
cred and succeed each other closely to
the head of its principal streams, and
between none of them has nature in
terposed obstacles to their easy ac-
cess. Its physical conditions offer to
the counties bounding on the north
an easy and short outlet to a great
rans-continental railway. Located
within its southern boundary is the
only natural gateway to an extensive
virgin territory abounding in timber,
mineral and other resources. This
gateway, with its relative advan
tages, offers unexceptional induce
ments to the construction of rail
road, which following the course of
our principal river through the center
of the county and tapping those re-
sources, would continue along well
defined route through country rich
in virgin wealth, until it formed an
intersection with another great trans
continental railway in the north.
This is but q bare outline of our
grand natural advantages, but suffi-
cient to suggest basis for prosperity
and wealth, to justify every effort
that intelligence and energy can
bring to its development.
But what have we to show for il
all? Let US see. Our county prop
erty is as meagre as can be found in
the state except in few counties and
those recently organized. We have
= no poor farm nor county hospital.
Neither have we any provision fol
them. Our courthouse, although re-
: Gently built, even now discredits
+ the business sense of those having
d its construction in charge Omittins
u the new counties and three old ones
our assessment roll shows that we ar,
among the lowest in the state in poin
= of taxable wealth. There is not
mile stretch of respectable road in tn
county, and nowhere else is there les
effort toward their improvement ant
extension. County warrants. are dis
credited, and this foreshadows weak
ened confidence abroad. This is tn
contra showing and don't think an,
u one can question its fairness.
Now the questions that presen
themselves are these: Does the show
|, ing suit us2 Does it represent th
limit of our ambition and capability
Is il a showing creditable to an
county with such resources to dra'
upon? Our self-respect will promr
III us to say, decidedly not. Yet th
facts are against us.
Activity abroad and lethargy an
indifference at home threaten OIL
- property interests with sure depreci;
ton. We therefore owe it to ou
selves that an advance be made an
that that advance be strong and earl
y est. We owe it to the sturdy pionee
z. now growing gray amongst us, VIII
ar having blazed the way, was justifi,
in hoping that we would expand al
improve it so that with us he wou
E share in a prosperity commensura
with the dangers and hardships
encountered. We owe it to the pc
" 'v' pie whom we may induce to inve
ed their means in mining and other e
All terDrises. and 10 the sturdv settl