Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-10-15

ton was held to decide whether or
not TO build county jail at Mon
tesano, al cost not exceeding
! 5000. AS we had but small use
for a jail at the time, and had an
arrangement with Thurston county
II keep our prisoners at low cost,
the proposition was negatived by a
large vote. What was the result?
The Montesano boosters, who are
now declaring against the good faith
of Hoquiam, made an issue in the
elections of 1883, for county COM
missioners. that Jail should be
built-the peoples voice to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. And built it
was the next year; not for $4,000,
but for nearly $4,000. This is a nice
bunch to question the good faith of
Hoquiam. yes.
As to the financial condition of
the county, none will dispute that,
il new quarters are demanded for
the transaction of county business,
the financial atmosphere could not
be clearer. The county is entirely
free from debt, and, on tax levy
nearly four mills less than last year,
has provided for the expenses OF the
coming year and $4,000 with which
to aid in building either a new court
house at the proposed location or re-
pairing the old one. There is $751;
/ 600 surplus in the county treasury
today. which, with the $25, 900 levied
for court house purposes, gives $40,-
600 that may be applied to the new
structure. To this add the $4,000
given by the City of IIoquiam, and
you have $4,000 spot cash, no debt
and no burden so far, to say no.
thing of the value of the present
court house, which would be sold by
the county, or the value of the site
given free for t3e new building.
Contrast the proposition made by
the people of Grays Harbor-whose
money and deeds are in bank-with
the hold-up cinch game played upon
it twenty years ago by Montesano,
and take your choice.
That New Business Center.
In some quarters, and Aberdeen
and Hoquiam are not exempt, the
argument is advanced that the loca-
ton of the court house at the pro-
new business center, to the detri-
ment of both cities. The force Of
this argument expends itself when it
shows how easily some people are
fooled. and with what bum argu-
ment the opponents of removal have
quietly inoculated them with. Does
any reader of this paper know Of
place in the United States, or any
other country, where the location Of
court house induced business
houses to gather in that locality?
The writer knows of none. The
court house Of Chehalis county has
been on the hill at Montesano for
nearly twenty years. yet the bust
moss section of that town has not yet
betrayed any disposition to cluster
about it. On the contrary, with the
exception of some dwellings where
quiet Is desirable, the vicinity of
that court house is largely vacant
lots, that can in all probability be
bought today for less money than
their owners asked twenty years ago
when the location of the county
scat was to form new business
CENTER
In all cities OF the state of i'm
portance. including Seattle, Tacoma.
Spokane, Bellingham and Walla
Walla, it will be found that the To-
cation of court house is not con-
sidered good locality for business
When one tells you that a new bus
mess center will spring uD in the
vicinity of the new court house, just
ask him to cite an instance where
such occurred in a settled commu-
nifty, and you will have him on the
hip, for just the same reason that
was given for disbelieving the Texas
boy who claimed to have killed four
teen million coyotes in a month
the boy just lied.
Again the Vidette shrieks:
'Why is the court house to be To-
Gated two miles from all business
necessarios and conveniences? Why,
if the object of removal is the great
OF convenience of the people living
on lower Grays Harbor, as the
Herald asserts, is it not proposed to
locate the court house near the rail-
road station, banks, express offices,
telegraph offices, postoffice and fire
protection and not two miles from
them all? They would like to have
the Herald or any other advocate OF
removal give any other reason for
this than the selfish interests OF q
few individuals and corporations.