The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1895-12-14
AS HE SEES 1T.
Judge Roberts Expresses His
Views tPon the Proposed
Court House Removal.


wholly disinterested, nor purposes
guilleless, a feeble movement has been
started tending to keep up the court
house war all winter. Some persons in
this community, like the tabled Irish
uan, inviting any one 10 tread on the
tail Of his coat, seem to delight in stir
ing Up the fight at all times-in season
and out of season. When the lawmak
are 10 session we expect it as a matter
of course; but this exhibition of old
uginess almost overcomes neighborly
good feeling.
With your permission | would like to
say few words to those who are being
asked to sign the petitions circulating
for court house removal.
The proposition is that the county
seat be moved to some portion of the
City of Superior west of Carleton ave-
nue.. Where? The scheme is to answer
that hereafter. That street runs by the
Presbyterian church in the East End.
Those who are managing and pressing
the present movement have no inten
ton whatever Of leaving the court house
and Jail anywhere east Of Hammond
avenue Isn't that true Mr. Wemyss?
is it not south OF the West superior, in
the direction of Twenty eighth street
your hopes are anchored, and your eyes
and influence are ever cast? 1t is no
part of the present program to leave
the court house in the Second ward
near Roy's addition where the federal
building should be built to in order to
to get the matter moving-the court
house on wheels, and it's location in the
air; 30 by dark and hidden WAYS,
through the mysteries of petty politics
and manipulations of a future county
board it will light as near Tower avenue
and Twenty eighth street as chance,
kind providence and a guillible public
will allow. 1t is not the intention that
the free holdeIs who are being asked
to Sign the petition shall have much to
say about location. There is no doubt
as to that, else the people of Douglas
county would have been invited to
discus the question in meetings and i'll
print several months before the peti-
tions were bound IN books and sent out
The freeholders are requested to sign
the other parts will be managed. Did
not the Border Minstrel" whoever
that IL size, up the situation about right
in these verses:
Tho wild hurrahs that we have had
To tax ourselves in days gone by,
Have confscated our lands,
And sucked our fortunes dry.
I'VE mostly all are bankrupt now,
OR else we soon WA Uc;
F9at.'Tss"1il chpitduns s2rf h rGaQnrt house vet
For the fool free holder what do we care?
We want him just tosign.
Then let him drudge to pay the tax
And we will drink the wine.
In view of these things don't the ne
titlons appear like fake-a slap in the
face TO the people of the second ward?
lt.seems to me that court house re-
moval and Its relocation are important
matters to the future of our city; and
above all.others, concerns for the whole
people TO consider carefully and decide
lfsuch consideration is given alter all
Interested have had fair chance for
their say publicly and openly, before
the thing Is settled for them in the night
by clique on the side. they will ac-
quiese; and the court house war will be
ended foreyer-iust as the normal
school controversy has gone, never to
return, The law wisely provides that
corporations cannot sign such petitions
its about the only such thing they
can't do in this town The petitions
now circulating are no ordinary ex
prcsslons of political preference; they
are not slight, cheap requests. They
mean that you who sign and don't with
draw, are willing to tax yourselves and
your neighbors who own homes in this
county In indefinite amouts to paw for
new county buildings and fatten such
mushroom banks as happens TO get
hold Of the funds before lhe bonds are
paid. There it no cash on hand for the
purpose.
Where, on what scale, and at what
cost are these buildings to be built?
There Is no answer; the plans are not
disclosed. Where is the architect, or
boomer prepared to say how big an es-
adjustment will be needed five wears
from now, when the next business re-
yival shall have come? The city hall
has been an expensive warning in that
respect. Are we SO stubborn and stiff
necked as to learn nothing as the wears
trundle along? The present county
buildings, with slight repairs. would be
good enough for five years. They are
better structures than the city hall.
The movement is TO abondon those and
place the temple on wheels for time
make IL a target for pulls" 1t is easv
to manage, or mismauage. public affairs
when others stand the expense, Most
any bankrupt can tell how 10 do il.
When the new court house is built
and located, il ought to be SO done that
no corporation with rooms to rent will
come at the end Of five wears and an
nualIy thereafter. with tempting Of
fer to desert it; us is now the case with
the city ball
When clerk ont Of Dickinsou's office
or Ross < Dryers side rooms come
along, singly or with other lightning
roll gentlemen who argue for hire IN
want Of a better job, and not from con-
ylctlon, asking YOU to sign the petitions
prepared, what are YOU going to do?
Write down Your names because a few
boomers, mostly insolvents, already
have, and you are asked to do So?
That Is the shortest way to avoid their
pslavrr and get rid of them. 1t is in
that manner most petitions are signed:
and that Is what makes them So mis-
leading and worthless The managers
assume tba; the rule will hold good in
this case. For that and other reasons,