The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-03-08

CONCERNING THE COUNTY SEAT.
The True Northerner has received the
following unique communication from a
prominent business man of this county,
who does not reside in Paw Paw or
vicinity:
Mr.. EDIToR:-
There seems to be quite strife over
the question of the removal of the coun-
ty seat. | would like to say few things
in regard to this matter. South Haven
seems to think it's people are the only
ones concerned in this affair. In the
first place, give South Haven credit for
all that is her due land that is not very
much). When we take into considera-
ton that it is located clear to the ex-
treme north-west corner, the jumping
off place of the county, it is amusing to
me, and | presume it is to other voters,
to see the arguments they get up-if
one can call them arguments They
extol the town so high that one would
think it the next place to heaven; but
those that have been there know better.
They say there are no joints there; the
circuit court records tell differently. |
don't blame them for wanting a good
Jail; they could fill it in their own town,
but we don't want to be put to the
trouble of taking all of our criminals so
far out in Lake Michigan.
Street railways, waterworks and sewer
age system, salubrious climate, cheap
restaurants, boarding houses and hotels
cut no figure with the voters of the
county. What every one must consider
is where the county seat business can
be done the cheapest and the most con-
veniently for the population of the
county, for all time to come Now let
every voter stop and consider the jurors
fees, sheriif's fees, witness fees and all
to be taxed double and treble for all of
this business. | say no.
The Sentinel says, let every voter ask
himself how many times he has to 60 to
the county seat in a year If there is
not any business for the voters of the
county to do at the county seat, what in
the name of time does South Haven want
of it? If the voters should go there, and
60 by wagon road presume they woul d
never want to go again. With the eX-
ception of one, there is not good pass
able road leading to the town, and that
goes directly from the village into AL
legan county. What boulevard it is
from Bangor, Breedsville or Covert. One
has to drive in the sand fetlock deep to
get there.
Now they talk about such nice resorts.
That is all true. But do the taxpayers
of Van Buren, county wish to send wit
nesses and jurors to summer resorts?
That is not what they go there for.
South Haven is not doing business for
nothing, as every one that goes there
can testify. Last fall / went down there
on an excursion and stepped into a drug
store for glass of soda water; only 10
cents glass and everything else in pro-
portion land there was plenty of room for
Carrie Nations hatchet there, too).
That is the town there is so much
talk about It's good deal like the
Sentinel: You pay Sl.50 year for 80
cents worth of news.
Now they say if the county buildings
are removed from Paw Paw, the grass
will be growing in the streets. There is
one consolation in that theory: If the
streets of Paw Paw will grow grass, it's
better than South Haven can do on the
best farming land they have got. Theirs
won't grow grass.
Now about this electric light business
(which has nothing to do with the point
at issue). Paw Paws plant is second to
none in the county. That is all there is
about that.
Now comes that tub set on stills for
waterworks. Now you Paw Paw fellows, |
want to ask you question: DO you
pump up rotten fish every morning for
your citizens? If you don't South Ha-
ven gets the better of you.
Now let us take few taxes into con-
sideratipn. How long is it since your
assessment rolls showed no larger
amount than Decatur, although VIC can
point out 20 men in South Haven that
are worth more than the whole township
OF Decatur is assessed atY So much for