The Virginia enterprise., 1900-10-19
o the change of opinion in the mu-


This change in sentiment is also
further proven by the known atti-
tude of many men of prominence
at range points, who from condi-
tion of apathy or open opposition
are now numbered among the warm
advocates of division, as the result
of careful study of existing condi-
tions and an honest desire to work
for the welfare and protection of
their home and the independent
upbuilding of the richest portion
of the great commonwealth of Min
nesota.
The logical reason of this appar-
ent change of opinion is obvious to
anyone acquainted with the topog-
raphy of St. Louis county, and the
variance of industrial pursuit and
permanent improvements in that
portion from which we would with
draw, as compared with the grow
ing activity of the ranges and the
treatment ever accorded this section
by those in control of county af-
fairs. 1t is not because Of political
aspirations in future or of political
disappointment in past. The peo-
pie of the ranges have been too busy
to seek political favor, and have no
fault to find with those officers who
hold their positions through the
suffrage Of the county as whole;
they have ably assisted in the elec~
ton of every Republican county
official for years past and through
recognition of worth, through per-
sonal. friendship and through party
fealty will doubtless continue loyal
in their support of the Republican
ticket from President to Coroner.
They do not, aside from an occas-
iOnal blatherSkite whose ideas and
Impressions receive their origin
and nourishment from a desire for
cheap notoriety, accuse the Duluth
politician of being "hog," nor do
they decry the merit or ability of
those to whom they have lent past
aid. But they do believe that sec
ton so remote from the present
county seat, a section of such I'M
mcnsc wealth and prospective fu-
ture, can and will be governed more
advantayeOusly and economically
by a more central government and
by board Of county commissions
crs who know and arc in sympathy
with the needs of our people.
We have today on these ranges
nearly Onc-half the population and
pay quite onc-half the taxes of ST..
Louis county, and we have one
member of five Of the board of cOun-
ty commissioners. The four Du-
1uth members recognize the value
Of the ranges as tax-paying dis
triCt, and it is little wonder that
they combine on a system of spoil
alton of the ranges for the benefit
of their respective districts, their
honor and generosity prompting a
return OF perhaps a cent on the dol
lar Of tax moneys collected on the
ranges to be expended for range
roads and range improvements, a
percentage SO small that its apprO-
priution and expenditure but adds
insult to injury. Still, the Duluth
commissioners but follow the in
SsinCtS Of human nature the pres
crVntion and bcttcr1nc!lt Of them
selves and Of their constituency.
They have fathOmtd the benefits to
be derived from a brace game and
are working the limit and will con-
tinuc to work it SO long as permit
tcd-wllich will be 50 long as St.
Louis county remains undivided.
The portion described in the peti-
ton for the new county of Iron enl-
braces about one-half of St. Louis
county; it contains nearly one-half
the population of St. Louis county;
| it is assessed and pays taxes upon
quite one-half of the assessed valu-
alton of St. Louis county. The fight
of our people is therefore just one,
upon the ground of taxation with
out proper representation; it is just
upon the ground of taxation with
out commensurate or rproportionate
benefits; it is a just and lauda BILE
cause from any and from every
| point of view.
St. Louis county is not only the
largest county in the state of Min
nesota, but in the United States. It
contains approximately $500 square
miles, being larger than several of
the states of the Union and richer
in natural resources than many 9TH
ers. Minnesota contains many
counties of less than 1000 square
miles, has 34 counties containing
less than 600 square miles each, and
but three counties which cover more
than 1000 square miles each-Bel-
trami county with 5000 square miles
/