The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-11-22
ON CONSOLIDATION OF
COUNTIES
Editor Times-NeWs:

Editor Times-News:
I have read from time to time
your editorials in support OF
county government consolidation.
| am interested in the proposition
and as it is likely that some move
in this direction will be made by
the coming legislature it would
not be amiss to bring forth some
definite benefits to be derived
by such a policy and balance
them against some i'll effects. l
believe you have in former edi-
toriais mentioned something
about the saving that might be
effected in the cost of govern
ment by such policy, but / do not
recall any concrete figures or
any close analysis Of the subject.
Ny recollection is that you have
used general terms, and in most
cases merely called attention to
the tremendous expense in main
tanning many political sub-divi-
sions, and the great difference in
the matter of communication,
whereby people could travel to a
county seat under consolidation
quicker than they could of old
travel to the county seat under
the present 100 county units.
1t appeals to me that we should
go into the matter much more
thoroughly from a political stand
point as we'll as from a financial
standpoint if we are to form q
Judgment most calculated to lead
us to right action. / do not pre-
tend to state that | have given
the matter the attention and
study that The Times-News has
given it throughout the years
that this paper has championed
the consolidation idea. However,
these thoughts have come to my
mind with relation to the subject
and | think they are very peril
nent and should have weight in
the consideration of the matter:
1t will be remembered by those
who have studied the early his
tory of the state as well as those
who have kept in close contact
with its development for the past
so years, that a great conflict
existed up to 1885 with relation
to representation for the sparse
ly settled portions Of the state.
The eastern section of the state
had the majority of representa-
ton and refused to extend pro-
portional representation to the
developing west where large areas
of thinly settled territory had
practically no representation.
The state being divided as it is
into three Typographical sections,
differing in interests both as to
agriculture and trade, it was only
after the most bitter and pro-
tracted fight, eliminating in the
compromise dealing with the
present site for the capitol,
whereby the western section was
given greater representation.
You will remember that an al
most equal number of the repre-
NAeSu'So 1lolU GllS cast were lOT
both Fayetteville and Raleigh as
the site for the new capitol. The
few western representatives held
the balance of power and frankly
went forth, to use it to the best
advantage Of The west, They de-
clared they would vote for the
new site for the capitol according
as to which faction would guar,
antee the most representation to
the west. Under the new appor-
tionment plan then agreed upon
the west got greater representa-
ton and therefore more say-so
as to the enacting of the laws
sections of the country, and of his
early efforts for the promotion of
Rotary.
Guests of the club were Judge
Wilson Warlick, of Newton. and
M. M. Redden, local attorney
The club will hold joint meet
ing next Wednesday with the XII
wants cluh