tdivide.html

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., February 23, 1911, page 4

THE DIVISION

The Enterprise, of White Salmon, sheds a few large crocodile tears on the subject of county division in its last issue, which should, probably throw the whole force into prolonged hysteria, but after swallowing and our emotions it can only be reiterated "It shall not be." The White Salmon people are a good loyal bunch, and doubtless have a patriotic feeling for their "hum town," articulated by the desire for a county by the name of White Salmon. That any mercenary results to realty dealers could possibly result, or that the Grand Dalles contingency should for similar reasons lend their assistance in such a division, is far from their intentions! Perish the thought! The little proposition as given by the last named interested party in their Seattle office this week to a local man, name upon application if desired, might even make our river neighbors sit up and swallow a bit. They eagerly anticipate a division, and will attempt to make Grand Dalles the county seat. Something for your Uncle Munn! Again we might state that a remonstrance of some fifty per cent, or more of the ACTUAL QUALIFIED VOTERS AND PROPERTY HOLDERS of the district of the proposed new county, has been made and forwarded to authorities who will look into the matter thoroughly before taking any steps in slicing Klickitat. These signers have had their eyes opened, and many have signified their desire to have their names withdrawn from the first petition. The proposition does not merely affect a faction but the COMMUNITY, and by all means let the majority arise and make known their wishes on the subject. The situation must, IN FAIRNESS TO ALL be looked upon by all sides. The Sentinel does not swerve from the statements made last issue, and as the remonstrance now lay side by side with the petition at Olympia, we only await the news of the permanent death, for some time at least, of the proposed county bill. Regarding the little press release accredited to Mr. VanVorst of White Salmon relative to an alleged stone throwing contest at Lyle last week, we can only say that the fabrication was a little too strenuous, and the explanation which followed in Saturday's Oregonian, came nearer to the facts. We understand from the witnesses of the affair that the only active demonstration was heated conversation, which could not have been so very loud as the Goldendale delegates who went to Lyle on the Thursday afternoon train, learned of its existence only after the Portland paper appeared with the White Salmon version. The local feeling toward several, prominent in the entire matter, is by no means gentle, for we were willing to let the matter stand on its own merits; to abide by the decision of all the people interested, which is the only fair and just way. As the bill in slated for appearance in the Senate this week, we must await the decision of the body in the matter. The county of White Salmon is premature! The population is insufficient for a division! The idea of providing two bodies to transact business of the present county of Klickitat is absurd! Tax-payers are more forcibly presented with the proposition as the 1910 taxes are now due and have to be paid. What a difference it would be should a division be made and a courthouse would be built, separate officers paid, and all of the various expenses incidental to running a county!