The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1910-08-18

ever assembled in Richfield ,FOrme
Governor Frank r. r Gooding deliver
ed most convincing address on the
Commercial Club Wednes day night
Attorney Bissel of Gooding also
made capital speech, full of the
most effective argument against the
ogergrown ,extravagant county. c
b. Marlatt, candidate for the leg
islarure, gave brief outline of his
platform. He is not an orator, but
ne is a long-headed business man
with courage ,geniality and the abil
ity to do things beyond the ordinary
II. entire meeting was a uceess,
from the standpoint of attendance
interesting program and results ac-
comqlished.
For lac kof space only the ad-
dress of Mr. Gooding is printed. 1t
is here given:
Ladies and Gentlemen: l am
here tonight to discuss with you
division of Lincoln county; and
expect to prove to you beyond the
question of a doubt that it means
lighter taxes for you, as well as bet
ter government.
A county government is practi-
cally the smallest unit of a complete
country. 1t has all the functions of
the government of state, with the
exception of the legislative branch.
The commissioners are the execut-
i've; we have the judiciary and our
peace officers for the enforcement
OF the law. And don't forget that
we have the tax collector.
The object of these local govern
ments, as ] understand them, is to
bring the government closer to the
people for the enforcement of the
laws, and to give them such conven-
fences in the administration of their
affairs that they can be handled, andI
to the advantage of all the people.
The question that interests the
people of Lincoln county today is:
Can it be divided into three parts,
without increasing the burdens of
taxation?z
l expect to show you, to your en-
tire satisfaction, that this can be
done, and your taxes materially re-
duced besides giving the people of
what is Lincoln county today. better
government all the way around.
ore than a hundred years ago
in the eastern states this question of
county government was solved.
There they learned by experience
that economy in local government
was best served by making small
counties.
Georgia, with an area of 59,475
square miles, is divided into 146
counties of an average size of 407
square miles. Lincoln county would
make almost ten Georgia counties.
Illinois, with an area of $3.50
square miles, is divided into 102H
counties of an average size of 555
square miles. Lincoln county would
make almost eight Illinois counties.
Kentucky, with 10000 square
miles, is divided into 119 counties,
with an average size of 33S square
miles, or about 112 the size of
Lincoln county.
Michigan with an area OF 58,915
stuare miles, is divided into So
of an average size OF 693
square miles Lincoln county would I
. six counties of this size.
Missouri with an area of SO, 9,415
to'.uties of an average size of 603 {
square miles. Lincoln county would {
make more than six counties that
size. s
.,ebraska, 77,510 square miles i
area, has so counties with an aver S
age size of SCI square miles. Lin
coln county would make almost five t
of the Nebraska size l
Pennsylvania, with an area of {
1928 square miles, is divided into &
So counties with an average size of
$50 square miles, or about one-sixth y
he size of Lincoln county. C
New York state, with an area of
1910 square miles, is divided into u
il counties with an average size of a
,e6 square miles. each county about e
,ne-fifth the size of Lincoln county. f
Virginia, with 42,45O square miles Il
P divided into 119 counties with an y
yerage size Of 357 square miles; s
lincoln would make almost IL Vir- f
,inia counties. a