The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-12-18
COUNTY DIVISI0NISTS HOLD
FIRST PLACE IN Meeting TO
OUTLINE new LEGISLATION
Range Representatives Congratulated Fact
That They Are Not Tied to Duluth; Mining Companies
Given Some Gentle Raps.
EVERY TOWN ON RANGE RESPONDS TO ROLL
CALL EXCEPT THE VILLAGE OF GILBE
County Division Bill Committee Appointed and Arrangements
Made for Another Meeting at Elks' Home in Virginia
Evening of December Z8.

County division was the dominat-
ing issue and county division senti-
ment, pronounced, enthusiastic and
spontaneous, was the keynote Of the
meeting held in Virginia last night to
discuss and outline to the senators
and representatives-elect from the
Sixtieth and Sixty-first district pro-
gram of legislation needed and Of
benefit to the iron ranges country.
C. NJ. Atkinson, dean Of Mesaba
range editors, the Old Man Hereof of
the Mesaba Ore, presided as chairman
and Earl Yarick, editor Of the Aurora
News, was chosen secretary. Every
town on the Mesaba and Vermilion
ranges except Gilbert answered to the
roll call of the chair. There was a
frank discussion of number of things
including the revision Of the game
laws, the report Of the economy and
efficiency commission recommending
changes in the present methods OF
making tax levies, a suggestion that
the county mine inspector be elected
by the people instead of appointed by
the board of county commissioners as
at present, also a suggestion that a
bill be passed extending the Austria
lian ballot to townships and villages
and other matters of minor lmpor-
tance we're discussed.
Every talk made, however, had for
it's theme county division. Every
speaker, except one, John Owens OF
Cook, openly congratulated the legis-
lative delegation on its break with
the Duluth contingent, insurgency
against the paternalism Of Duluth
was rife and the meeting ended with
the appointment of committee to
outline a county division bill that
would be fairly expressive Of the
wishes of all sections Of the range
and call for second meeting to be
held in Virginia on the night Of Mon
day, December %, at Elks home
when every business man on the range
will be invited to attend. An old-tlme
rally Of range county division enthu-
siasts is indicated.
The county division committee
which is called to meet on the after
noon of that day is as follows:
John Harri, Ely; J. D. Murphy
Tower; J. Wallace, Mesaba; Ear
Yarick, Aurora; E. A. Koen, Biwabik;
DR.. Barrett, Gilbert; James Boyle
Eveleth; NJ. H. Mcmahon, Virginia
w. J. Doyle, Buhl, Joseph Austin
Chisholm; C. M. Atkinson, Hibbins
Patrick Hagen, Mountain Iron; Judge
Ellis, Mckinley; H. c. Miller, Kinney
E. F. Luthey, Cook; L. M. Burghardt
Angora; J. B. Ward, Gheen; William
Orr, Orr; George F.. Peterson, Bea'
River; Alex Palo, Embarass; Charlie:
Kangas, Pike; John Moline, lror
Junction: s. w. Levin, Zim; j. D. Nc
Gill, Forbes.
Hatch Opens the Ball.
After the meeting had broken thu
ice bv discussion of the game laws
the economy and efficiency report ant
other minor issues, Edward Hatch o
Eveleth broached the county division
subject in a straight from the shoul
der talk. He said he did not bellev'
that county division could be carried
at this time, but that he was EN-
phatically in favor Of county d'vl
sion bill which would give the peopl
the right to vote on the matter
thew wanted it. He was aware, toe
he said. that county division would b
opposed in some quarters on tn
range. He was certain that Dulut
would vote solidly against it and n
said he had been Informed that tn
mavor of his home town, Jacob Saar
had declared a county division bl
would never pass in Eveleth. He sal
he did not regard Mr.. Saari as tina
authority on what Eveleth would o
would not do in the matter and he dl
not believe when the time came tina
Eveleth would be found a stumblln
block in the way of county division
He said that certain large interest
evidently feared county division b@
cause they thought there would b
extravagant expenditures OF the put
lie funds and while admitting that tn
outlay for public improvements IN
number of the range towns had bee
large, especially in the case OF Hlt
bing. he had been informed that
Hibbing a dollars value had been RI
ceived for every dollar expended. h
said the mining concerns owed 1t I
the iron range towns to make the1
good places to live in.
Strange Feeling Of Joe Austin.
Responding on behalf Of Chishol'