The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-02-26

Nothing has been heard from tile
seven wise nof Duluth who took it
upon themselves TO hold up the pay
ments for road work, and the matter
remains somewhat The same as week
ago with the exception that the
ranges are not any better pleased and
the county division sentiment has
become more pronounced.
No fault can be found with the
obstructionists of Duluth for exercls-
ing their legal rights, but it does
seem strange that this body Of reput-
able business men should not have
foreseen the effects of their move.
Had they enjoined the commissioners
from building roads, not SO much
dissatisfaction would have resulted,
but, their idea of: waiting until the
work was done and then hold up the
payments was remarkably cheap
piece of sagaclty, Of which only the
aforementioned wise men are capableS
1t is a we'll known fact that in the
immediate vicinity Of Duluth, roads
are at hand in abundance and the ex-
penses of building new ones and or
maintaining those already built are
reduced to a minimum. 1t is also a
we'll known fact that the ranges are
practically devoid OF suitable high
ways for the accommodation OF the
rapidly settling communities, and in
view of the fact that Duluth has an
abundance, it seems strange the
ranges should be cut off at this time
when highways are so badly needed.
The country north Of Virginia and
Tower has been rapidly settling with
bona-fide home makers and every week
stories are waited about of the hard
ships incurred by these settlers on
account of the scarcity of roads. The
policy pursued by the seven wise men
of Duluth, precluees the possibility
of a betterment. aad the ranges, in
Justice to themselves and their re-
residents are in duty bound TO do
something That something is moth
ing more nor less than cutting loose
from the Duluth end and attending
to our own affairs.
The comfy OF ST. Louis is big
enough territorially for about ten
counties. The country between Du-
luth and the ranges is at present a
struggling farming region, which may
at some not far distant future be-
come rich country. The natural
wealth of the county lies north OF
the east and west line dividing tile
iron ore district from the balance OF
the County. Not only in iron ore
have we wealth, but our farming
districts are superior in prospects te
anything at present shown in the
balance Of the county. The Little
Fork valley promises to be one OF
the richest farming sections in the
state.
In the vicinity of Ely, we can show
several farming communities which
already are making themselves felt
| Up to last year. they were without
mode CT ingress or egress to theIl
places. The county last year spent
a few dollars in furnishing a road t
the White Iron district where abou
forty families are tilling the soil ant
making themselves homes. Th,
school district also built a schoo
house at the settlement. TIL
amount of money spent on the roat
was barely enough to cut it through
and make it passable with difficulty
Another appropriation of mucl
larger amount is needed and mus
be had to fit the highway for com
Portable travel. The same can ais
be said of several other settlement
at hand.
The ranges at present are assesse
60 per cent OF the total taxes OF ia
county. BY the ranges is meant til
country lying within and north {
the line mentioned-th line bctwee
townships Sc and SO. The delinquen
tax list shows that the ranges pa
their 60 per cent. The balance {
the county is~assessed at 40 per Ger
] and the delinquent tax list show
that only about IS per cent of TIA
: amount is actually paid yearl.
Some time ago law was passed a
lowing taxes that had become delil
quent to be settled at certain pc
] centage on the dollar. providin
they were delinquent sufficier
!: number of years. Duluth has on a
] occasions taken advantage of til
law and the Zenith city tag-dodge
q have waxed fat thereby.
County division, at present, seem
about the only course to pursue
! order to get our rights. We migl