The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1873-11-13
DIVISION OF IDAHO.


The Lewiston Signal Of November lot con
taius an account Of q mass meeting held II
that city. October 30th. to consider the ques
ton Of the annexation Of Northern idaho I.
Washington Territory. Tho meeting was wei
attended, and speeches were made BY DR.
Kelly, Alon.o Leland, Esq, judge Rand and
others, wher.upon m Executive Committee
consisting Of Dr.. NJ. A. Kelly, Alonso Leland
Jasper Rand. L. P. Brown. J. H. Evans. B. +
Morris. r. L. Yantis, and John Clark. wal
appointed to take the full management Of the
purposes Of the meeting aud to collect statist
ics and such other information desirable IL
furtherance of the object in view.
The question of division Of Idaho Territory
has been frequently discussed, and ut one time
was brought forward 10 the L-gislature-nl
the Third session. we brlieve-when memt
rial to Congress was adopted asking the orgun
ization of new Territory. to b. called the
Territory Ct Columbia, out Of the northern
portion Of Idaho. the western portion "f Mon
tana. and the eastern portion If Washington
Congress paid no attention to the memorial
and various shemes for division of our Ter.
ritory have been brought to the surface since
that time, one If which was to annex to Ne.
vada about all our Territory lying south Of
Snake river. The movement tor the annexa.
ton Of Northern Idaho to the Territory Ol
Washington is not q party measure. by any
means, rs it is favored. We brliev.. BY about
nine.t~nths Of the people, irrespective Of party
living in that section Of our Territory. That
their claims, in favor If the movement, are
just. We are not prepared to deny. The argu'
ments in favor Of division are strong ones
There is little community Of interest between
the residents Of Northern and Southern Idaho
Separated by high mountain ranges. there is
little communication aud no trade brtwre''
the two sections. and the only interest they
have in conlm"n is in the political c"nnrcti"n
in which they are held under our Territorial
government. The main objection. ar obstacle.
to severance Of this relation lies n the Ter
ritorial debt-as IL whether Southern Idaho.
10 the event of u division. will have /" assume
and bear the burden alone. Justice would de-
mand fair aud equitable divisi~n. and IN as
Sumption Of 4 fair proportion "f ghe debt BY
Washington Territory on acquiring. by annex
alton. that port"n Of Idaho lying north uf the
Salmon river range.
II the movement should be crowned with
success, By Northcrn Idaho being attach-d Ia
Washington. we have no doubt but that our
northern neighbours would find it greatly {"
their advantage. in many ways that We in
Southern Idah" cannot appreciate Their dis
lance from the Territorial Capital. which is
trebled during the winter months on account
If the circuitous roui" they are compelled IL
take to reach there. is not the only argument
they have in favor of the movement fur annex
alton {" Washington. We are not aware that
We. in this section. have any inalicnable right
to object t. the movement. II the people
If that section. with any degree ot unai.i,n.
ity. favor it and are willing to assume their
just proportion of our Territorial indebtedness.
While We should b. sorry to lose the good pco.
pie "f Northern Idaho rs citizrns If our Ter
rit"ry, yet. il it 10 to their benefit aud advant.
age. in every way. that they should bc united
with q nrighboring Territory and sever their
connect"n with us. there is n" just ground for
complaint; but We think it exceedingly d"ubt.
full whether Congress will sanction the move.
inent. Stgregating Territories has received
but little count-nance heretofore, and ". are
inclined to think that the next session will b.
occupied with legislation If more Importance,
in national point of view.