, 1885-12-19


Fight, "tlefOllowIng article appeared
ina receutissue of the Portland Ne,os:
Judge d. c. Lewis, Of Cheney,
W. T., who Is in the city, told n Ners
reporter that avery bitter feeling ex-
ista botwef'n Spokane Falls and
Cheney IN regard to the location Of
the county scat Of Spokane county.
''Cheney Is the present seat" said
the judge, "and the Spokane Falls
people want an enabling art passed
by the present legislature calling for
an election to decide the matter. II
the act passes the election will take
place in November, 1896. Cheney Is
opposed b this act, and is content
to rest on It's laurels. Cheney's pop.
ulati0n ls 1000 and Spokane Falls
about 300. The latter place has a
large transient population, constant
ly moving between II and the COeur
d'Alene mines. There is much bit
ter feeling, but there are prudent
men On, hOth sides, and no serious
trouble, y likely to result"
Had the Nei0s reporter, who was
made a scapegoat, known his inform.
ant as well us he Is known IN this
"neck O. woods" or had he been
more conversant with the situation
Of affairs In and the facts concerning
Spokane county such an item would
never have found its way into the
columns OF paper that heretofore
has always shown a disposition to do
the fair thing by all sections Of the
northwest. Mr.. Lewis knew when
he made the above assertion that he
was ml,representing the case and
did so for an object. That 1t
is the wish Of the people Of Spokane
that the question be submitted to
the decisinn Of the ballot We need
only state that over $500 voters
signed the petition now before the
legislature, while with all the exer-
tion they were capable OF the Chen
eyites could only figure out 1877
names Of those who demonstrated.
The opposition exists mainly in
Cheney, and men like Lewis desires
that one little place, with far less
than 1000 Inhabitants, should dictate
to and override the balance Of a
large, growing and prosperous
county. Spokane Falls may have a
'Iarge transient population" as all
live and growing places will have
when situated within easy reach Of a
great mining country, but It also has
a large and rapidly Increasing popu.
lation, that Is investing In property
and building homes. The inference
that there Is any possibility II trou-
Bile growing out OF the ouuh,y seat
contest is puerile and totally without
reason. No trouble can or Eill grow
out Of II. 1t Is the first time such a
thing has ever been heard Of, and Is
the most silly nonsense. The most
enthusiastic champions Of the two
oonteuding points never for a mo-
ment imagined such result The
people OF Spokane are loyal Ameri-
can citizens, and as such do not be-
lieve In resorting to acts of violence
to gain any desired end. The county
seat contest will be carried, out
at least in this city, strict
ly on its merits. II the ques-
tlon is submitted TO the voters,
either side will abide by the verdict
Of the majority. II Cheney wins our
city will submit gracefully. II Spo-
kane wins we believe the people Of
Cheney will likewise accept the In
evitable. 1t is an insult to the In
telligence Of the law abiding resi-
dents Of Spokane county that such a
man as Lewis should give out the
impression that any trouble is likely
tn grow out Of question affecting
the public good, and as contradic-
tlOn we may only add that citizens
OF Cheney are on our streets ming
ling pleasantly with our people
every day, and that citizens Of the
Falls may also be seen In like man.
ner at Cheney. They may spar
over he county seat matter, but
they do 80 god naturedly and mover
think Of such thing as fighting.