The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1902-05-22
The Question of Removal.

Perhaps the most important ques-
tion which will come before the peo-
/ pie OF this county at the coming cleo
ton, viii be that or the removal OF the
county seat from Solomonyille to some
point % the eastern end OF the county.
Under law passed by the last legiS-
lature the county seat can be removed
by majority vote. This law was pass
ed especially in the interest of the
eastern half of Graham county, where
a majority OF the voters reside. Two
years ago the people of the eastern
end of the county, who had long SUI
fered a great ardship and expense in
residing so far away from the county
seat, asked the legislature TO divide the
county, but the people of the western
half of the county defeated the
measure. They now however seem TO
have changed their minds and prefer
division to removal, at least the Bulle-
tin, which doubtless represents the
sentiments OF the people of Solomon
vile, takes that position. The Guar
dian, as usual, is non-committal on the
subject, but will probably be heard
from later. The Bulletin OF last week
contained the following editorial
which is in startling contrast to its
utterances of two years ago.
THE COPPER ERA last week discuss
ed the county seat removal question,
which makes it very plain that Cliff
ton will agree to participate in no
move in that direction that does not
provide for that town, or some point
in the east end of the county rs the
seat of government. The ERA also
clings to county division as good
means OF bringing about reduction
of expenses in Graham county. May
be the COPPER ERA is right on this
proposition. If the people of the east
end of the county really desire to as
sumo The burdens OF new county
which would include the mining camps
aud cattle country OF the Blue river.
Black river and Eagle creek. the val
ley can afford to consent to it. The
valley county could be governed for
much less than the expense OF Colqu-
houn. If the people OF Clifton, Mo
renci and the east end OF the county
are united i'll their desire for a new
county and are willing to foot the bills
for its maintenance we are inclined to
say let them have it. One thing is
certain il the demand and agitation
for Il new county IS kept up the di-
vision will soon he made anyway and
if it is to be done ii will do no more
harm now than in the future. The
Bulletin has no AK SO grind, one way
or the other on this proposition, but
Il Il, I. l..
county can afford county division GER
tainly the valley can, because the
criminal expense here would not even
approximate what it would amount to
in Colquhouu county. II division of
the county is what Clifton people real
ly want we are not surprised to see
them refuse to take part in the loca-
tion of the county seat in the valley
county. That matter they can well
afford to leave for settlement by the
valley themselves.
The citizens of the east end of the
county desire to see removal first
and then if the people of the
west side desire division, it will say
let them go in peace. To remove the
seat to the east end of the
county would be Il hardship to the
people OF the western side, hence di-
vision will prove the only just means
of satisfying all the people of the
county. Division, however, can only
be had through the legislature, while
an election on removal can be had
long before that time. Let us first
vote on removal. and then twill be
time enough to talk about division.