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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., October 29, 1914, page 3

WRITES FOR COUNTY DIVISION

The Sentinel received a signed communication from C.M. Cutting of Trout Lake yesterday, of considerable length, after four page had come to print, and we will therefore only be able to touch upon it briefly. In the first place it is the county divisionist side of the proposition and naturally regret the inability to publish the article complete. We will however attempt to answer correctly his arguments. Mr. Cuttings says while real estate should be increased in value upon a division, in the west end, Goldendale property would be likewise lowered, hence the sturdy opposition to division. Goldendale property now is as low as circumstances could never make it. Local conditions and present general depression being responsible. Division will not add considerably more to immediately local taxes as to the farmers. It will, however have some effect. It is by no means local interest alone that is working against division.
There are no extra deputies in any county office at present that are not absolutely necessary.
That the West end will demand county division, is of no doubt. They have their advantages, at the same time affecting a greater number of people having taxes in other localities -- who have nothing to gain. Instead of the unharmonious condition at present, a concerted movement to develop and promote the best interests for all of Klickitat County, could bring about a division earlier.
"It is County Division or Bust." Granted! But do not expect to "bust" this part of the county. What practically every business -- yes, every resident, should be doing in these times of uncertainty is to exercise economy in his various lines of work; to prepare to meet at least in part, the surge of business inertia that will surely be caused by the gigantic conflict across the Pacific. Preparing an increase to taxes will not help any!
Your suggestion to select broad-minded farmers that will work for state and community interests alike is timely. And that is one of the reasons we are asking our readers to support John C. Crawford for representative. True, he is against county division, but he will represent the voters and taxpayers with credit to himself and his district.
Legislatures will continue to trade votes, probably in every state or district as long as there is competition. Else few bills would get anywhere. The practice may to an extent be abominable, but the remedies will not come through community strife. We regret our inability to publish Mr. Cuttings article in full. We do not wish readers to in the least think The Sentinel is aiming at prejudice. We state our ideas -- everyone has some views that do not coincide with all his fellows. Had the article arrived earlier it would have surely appeared this issue. Next week, following election, would be of no benefit to Mr. Cuttings or his article. It is probable other county papers will print this matter this week, and we bespeak its interest. It does not however, coincide with the views of this paper.