Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-01-15
ABOUT COUNTY DIVISION
Public Meeting Draws Out . Very
Small Crowd

the people have not seriously considered
the matter. contenting themselves with
the comment that ''if the North Siders
want to 60 it alone why let them. It's
nothing to U.s." They have not awakened
to the loss Of prestige and consequent loss
of power that would result from the divi-
sion. and so they kept away from the
meeting and practically allowed the Ord
way bunch to run t alone.
OF course no definite action could be
taken with such a slim attendance. so
Il was decided that the Board Of Trade
committee be empowered to call another
meeting in the near future.
In the meantime the fellows across
the river" will continue their Campaign Of
education. as witness he following, which
is published BY request Of the North Side
committee:
The proposition to divide Ctero County
is the chief topic of our people in all
parts Of the county. From what we can
learn 1t is almost unanimous on the north
side. and except for the few there is no
serious objections emanating from the
south side OF the county. That there are
manT good reasons for the division. those
who have given the matter careful con-
sheraton and 6ivested themselves of
their seltis. ambitions and purposes,
frankly admit. Some men can see no
coed reason for II. and insist that the
county remain as it is. Some who look
al il IN this light are SO blinded by un-
reason that they will rot see. do not
want to see. But the progressive citizen
whether he lives on the north or south
side o. the river. favors it. It is propos-
ed to take off about 800 square miles
from the north end OF the county Of
O.ero and form a new county. The peo-
pie OF the north side territory reason
that they are too far from the county
seat; that II IS InconvenIent and expen-
sive 10 go TO the county capital to trans
act county business. and as there is no
clreet railway connection that IL WORKS a
great hardship en- or citizens, some OF
whom live. measuring en- tangent.
about fifty mics from La Junta. reauir-
irG two days to MAKE the TIP. and long
and hard one at that. Again they say
that the river makes natural division
OF the territory. separate ard d,stinet
from that OF the south slce. We have
cur own line OF raiiway. hriga;inS canals,
towns. senooI districts and ali OF these
being remote from the sea; Of the county
Govtrnment, are more or less neglected.
anc win a county on :as side they will
be brought up to 4 higher standard. and
our people will reap greater benefits from
is nov.
Stree the days CT the revolution there
has never been an a;,emp; to establish
local. self government ~nien has rot met
with violent opposition by the small min
GRITTY. King George resisted 1t by fo'ee.
Old Bent county IN 1888 when the pro-
grcssrve people began the agitation Of
b-oIsisIon objected. "eroakeo. threat
ened and bu'loozed. But the legislature
took up the progressive line Of the argu-
ment ana created out Of that parent
county tie new counties ef Prowers,
Oiero and kIoSa. .esvIns a gooo sized
territory for Od Bent. What have these
new counties accomplished? Wonders.
Otero county has today a gr.at.r popu-
latIon Than Benz. Pio~trs. kiewa and
HI: Carson eoun'les combined She cas-,
a iargsr vote at t1e las; NSv-:ncsr cleo
tiSn than ArChu'ela. Custer. Saea. Crane
K ows. Mineral. Philips anc SeGcwIex
c un;Ies Combined. Trowers has race
ia pd progress. and s a splendid ilius;ra-
I on OF wrat a determined ard prcsfes-
sive Pc ie Can do.
KIawa IS out ot ccot with about $50.
900 IN BANK. with the loves, comfy tax
rate in the state.
Ot.ro has an assessed Valuation Of
SS.Soo.Coo on a 30 per cent basis or an
actual Valuation OF S2l.2ao.ooo. On
a ike bass. the new county We propose
will nave an assessed valuation Of 81.
5ol, ,Jlo and an actual saiuAtl9n Of 5,
$50. oGo. u;sro County with its tax
'S't 81 ~ Wv - ~ ~SS+Ns fSI sSses. l1E
| 9os. Will collect N taxes Si56 600.
T7e new ccun;y proposed w;;h IS mills
levy on its Sl.S0o.Coo Of ;exaoles Wi!
collect S?+oGo Neaue: VIVA: i-e new
county wil eollee! from tie s!56.Cco
waiSr Cie HHs levied and vi collect
and i ean be seen ;Ea; after the rev
county has ;asen is yar;. OteIo viii nave
sll2 900 left I,looxs 70 the average
man ;aat these amounts will amply su;-
port tnese two political sub divisions.
We are not thanking an! one &c plead
poverty for the north si6e. We are no;
POOR. We have srea; resources; fine soil