Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-31
Shall the County be Reduced
WIS, Jan. 26, 1907.
A. T.. FOntaine

MARsHFIELD,, WIS, Jan. 26, 1907.
A. L. Fontaine,
Grand Rapids, Wis.
Dear Sir:-AS you are doubtless
aware, there was very small delega-
tion of MarShtield citizens down to
Grand Rapids yesterday to confer
with Grand Rapids citizens relative to
the formation Of new county from a
portion of Wood, Clark and Marathon
counties, and to see if some amica5le
arrangement could not be arrived at
that would be such as would answer
the purpose, even though not all that
Marshtield citizens might desire.
| presume that you are also aware
that during the recent session of the
County Board, there was considerable
talk that the best thing that Marsh
field could do was TO make the effort
to get new county for the reason
that If il could not be done at the
coming or the next session of the
legislature, it probably could not be
done at all, and that if it could be
done, it would forever do away with
the fight that invariably comes up on
the Board
We aim not to ask for any more
territory than we can get along with.
and only ask for five townships,
252, 25-3, 25-4, 24-2 and 24-3, and some
of your citizens suggested that we do
not ask for the south half of the two
last named townships, and while the
inhabitants would want to come
in, we at Marshtield might conclude
to be satisfied, in the interest Of
harmony with the balance of the
county.
BY this change, Wood County would
then be unit for Grand Rapids,
which l believe would be for the very
best interests of it's citizens, and buSi
ness men, particularly its newspaper
publishers.
1t must be borne in mind that
although Wood County would lose
some of its taxable property, it by no
means indicates that its taxes would
he proportionately increased, for the
territory to be detached makes its
proportion of the great part of the
county expenses, and in greater pro-
portion than most of the other parts
of the county, for the reason that it is
the farthest from the seat of govern
ment, and requires more compenSa-
Jion for mileage of Supervisors, Jurors.
Witnesses and Sheriffs in Summoning
Jurors and Subpoening witnesses,
and In other numerous ways.
We had talks with quite number
OF your citizens, some OF whom ap-
peared quite favorable to the PROPOSE
ton, and | believe that it is the pro-
per thing for all concerned, and |
trust that you will be able to see it as
| do.
AS for myself, l only had time to
talk with Judge Webb and Mr.. Cog
gins, but Others of our number talked
with several others, including the
Arpius. and | would like to have you
confer with any or your citizens there,
add see if they cannot see their way
clear TO come to some understanding
IN this matter.
| should be pleased to hear from
you as soon as you are in a position to
write me on the subject.
Yours truly.
E. Nj. DEMING.
From the above communication re-
ceived by US from Mr.. E. NJ. Demiug,
of Marshteid, the reader will learn
that there is another movement on
foot on the part of Marshfield to
change the county lines of Wood
County. There is nothing personal in
the letter, and therefor we publish it
in full.
In answer thereto, we will frankly
state that we are positively opposed to
the changing of the county lines of
Wood County, for this reason:
First: Wood County is now two
townships less than the constitutional
provision and small enough.
AS we understand it section seven,
of Article Is, of the state Constitution,
provides: mo county with an area
of 900 square miles or less, shall be
divided or have any part stricken
thereform, without submitting the
question to vote of the people of the
County, nor unless majority of all
the legal voters of the county voting
on the question shall vote for the
same"
From this paragraph it is plain to
be seen that the legislature cannot
disturb the county lines of Wood
County, without vote of the people
on said question. We are positive
that the people of Wood County with
very few exceptions, are satisfied with
the present arrangements.