Imperial Valley press and the Imperial press., 1907-06-15
4 FARMER TALKS
V. Cant Tells of lis Preference tor
 County Seat
EDITOR PRESS:

would respectfully ask space in the Press to give my views on the subject, 1 am a farmer and have been farming by irrigation for g years. My views therefore are the views of farmer, for I know from experience what farmer has to contend with. In county such as ours will be, farming will inevitably be he principal business of the people and farm property will furnish the great bulk of the tax list. The land owner cannot dodge the assessor, hls land Is visible and if he has stock or improve ments they are visible and the assessor Is sure to find them and the farmer will pay his full share. These facts being self evident It Is of the utmost importance that the farmers should consider the question of county seat To- cation from the standpoint of tax pay CTS and with a view to their best inter ests as class. In deciding this ques- ton neither prejudice nor favoritism should be considered, but both should be laid aside while settling this matter. The first thing to consider Is the quail tly of the land, Its freedom from alkali and the readiness with which it takes water and retains moisture. These points are of prime importance, for our court house should be surrounded with shade trees and grass plats and made a place of comfort and beauty. In this connection I have In mind the court house at Phoenix. Arizona. There Is an illustration of what court house Tn this climate should be The court house block there Is large and the trees are tall and standing fairly close fogeth- CT, are trimmed up high and afford dense shade. Under this shade many seats are provided for the people. A court house amid such surroundings would be something we could all be proud of and It would always be worth alllt cost to the taxpayers of the county.
 The next point to consider Is that the court house should be located at as central point as possible, one that shall be accessible to all parts 1of the county and the m5st co.vla.23: to the largest population.
 The Standard says that BraWley has come out for the county seat and that opens the way for Caexlco. Howe could have said Holtville and Silsbee, too for that matter, for all he is playing for Is politics, without regard to the tax payers interests. The court house should be located at point where it will stay ane not be moved, If Calex- leo had 1t we could not keep it there, for ,he people would not be satisfied with it located at the south line of the county. We don't want a court house on wheels, but we want to make se- lection in the coming election that will settle 1t for all time. It Is to the farm CTS interest to make such selection, for as the payers of the great bulk of the taxes, the expense of moving the court house would fall heaviest upon them. think Fl Centro Is the most suitable place for the county seat as 1t is most centrally located to the larg- est population and has the best pros poets of becoming a railroad center. The soil ts first class and will answer all the requirements for growing shade and ornamental trees. The town is new and is building up with good sub stantial buildings and will no doubt do as much for the public in the way of