Warren sheaf., 1906-05-03

"
Editor Sheaf: | understand from
the papers that a scheme is current,
and a petition is being circulated for
the division of Marshall County. AS
a resident of the eastern part OF the
county and one interestedrln It's well
fare | want to ask for a little space
in your valuable paper. wonder
where this division scheme originat-
ed. Who has now again got an lax
to grind" on this county division?
Can it be that the ambitious little
town of Middle River really hopes to
become a county seat? Every little
town always has such an inspiration.
It's such an easy way of earning a
livelihood for the politicians and office
seekers. And then perhaps the real
estate companies Of the lucky little
town might make little too! l
wonder if there is any townsite comp
any at Middle River. TO be sure, the
only way they can sell their lots over
there is by trying to make county
seat out of their town. Too bad
the townsite owners don live in this
county Then, you see, the possible
profits would not have to leave the
county.
And then very likely there are few
persons who would not object if some
county Office should be thrust upon
them. 1t would pay to do q little
work to provide for such an emergen-
cy, anyway. Now really why should
this county be divided at this tittie?
They say our present county seat of
Warren is inaccessible, but would
Middle River be more accessible? I
!beheve not to the greater part of the
new county. 1t is so located of to
one side and would have to be reach
ed py the same route that we now
reach Warren, namely via T. r. Falls.
Does that look accessible?
And then they say that so much
money lis spent in the western part
of the county. Perhaps this is true,
but would it be any better to have
the money spent in the western part
OF the new county? That's where it
will be spent if the county is divid-
ed. Why it will take wagon loads of
money to put tine roads leading into
Middle River I'm such shape that they
will be passable.
Then they say the county is too
large. This is true, but I wonder if
any of the taxpayers of the county
lind the taxes too small.
You hear very little about the ex-
penses that would result from the
division of the county, however.
Not a word about it. Does Middle
River intend to pay the salaries of
the new county officers; provide
books, records ~and stationery; pay
the expenses of courts and Jurors:
ETC.? Never.
At reasonable estimate all these
expense would come TO about $2O,-
600. Now there are some over twenty
townships (some unorganized) to
form the new county. That means
then it will cost each townships about
8 or hundred dollars per year to
keep the new county running. Is
not this a bright prospect for these
eastern townships? And what will
be the benefits of this outlay?
Now, if these townships feel that
they can afford to have their taxes
Increased, how much better would it |
not be, to devote say, S4O0 each, (half
or above expenses), per year to drain
age. Then there would he son.e
benefit to them instead of to town.
Site company. Is not the improve
ment of your lands worth more than
the pleasure of satisfying some office
seekes? Consider this division uuto-
tlon carefully, and see whether this
is time to be talking of division.
do not think conditions
are ripe for the division of our couil-
ty. Now, farmers, If you think tax
es are Aign enough in this part of
our caunty, we had better say so, if
this division question comes up for
decision at next election.
Convinced that the voters will dis
pose OF the question properly, l re-
main Yours truly,
II. O. Berve.