Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-02-23
PREMATURE COUNTY SEAT AG
ITAT1CN.

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ITAT1CN.
The county scat question is again being
eci,ated in the county. although in 1888
it was aciiated and, as We then Supposed
was settled by vote of 'bo people I'LL
such tune as the people knew whether or
not, the Northern portion OF Idaho was
going to Washingt' n, when it would be
annie time to determine where the
recplc wanted The county scat, to best
accommodate and meet the convenience
If the people. II annexation should
take place it mis hit neccssi'ate the change
Of county boundaries SO as to meet the
demands of the people ir the new order
of things, produced by wipins out the
territorial line between us and Washing
ton. 1t was upon this principle that the
people generally opposed any removal IN
1893. There is no additional motive
for the removal now. which could inspire
an increased desire on the part OF the
great mass Of the voters, to again aa'tate
tho question and impose the burdens
necessary to again put the question to .
test vote, and to have county seat
established, arbitrarily, by an act oil
CONGRESS, even if congress could be 10.
duccd to do such a thing at the instance
Of few, in opposition to the expressed
will Of the majority Of the people of the
county, would be arbitrary and unjust,
and, as VIC believe, contrary to the polio.
of congress in such cases. When all
hope Of annexation is sqnelshcd by an act
OF congress, then it will be ample time
to consider and cast about to learn what
will be for the best interests OF the
county, and at what Joint the county
seat should be to accommodate the great
majority Of the people of the county
The west end Of the Nez Perez reserva-
ton may soon be thrown open to settle
ment by the whites, which might make
itimpor,ant and even necessary, tf
divide the coauty. even il VIC are moi
annexed to Washington. The law fo'
the allotment Of the ! Lp on the ! YES
erva.iou, to such portions Us the com
missioncrs appointed may make. an'
provision for purchasing the lands no
allotted, has already passed, and terms o
purchase and conditions Of payment onl.
remain to be settled by the government
and the Indians. This is Il iactor tina
will be likely to change the status OF Ne
Perez county, and may make it impor
,ant that the county be divided. Al
these are elements that may yet in tn
near future affect the question OF tn
county SEAT. Hence we can see no rcf
son why VIC should be in haste to max
a change, except for the personal benef
Of a few men who hope aud expect
reap some peculiar benefit in the tow
where the county seat should happen I
be located now by the people, or eve
BY any arbitrary act Of congress superb
duced by the misrepresentation of fey
town lot Spectators, who, so far, in tn
history Of this question, have never bee
in sympathy with the people Of tn
county, only so far as they could thro'
dust in the eyes Of the people ard kee
obscured from view the real reasons io
their desire for change. The peop|
in 1883 evidently penetrated the
motives else they would have come
their rescue at that time, and We thin
they will as fully and clearly see in 1885,
when they test the matter by a vot
because there is no new motive that ca
prompt the present effort, that did NJ
exist then, and in our forecast of even
and prospects, we think We can see lie
reasons for removal, from Lewiston
Moscow, than We could then. 1fa r
moval was to take place without divi
ion we can foresee why Genesec HI
claims far cut weighing those of Mosco,
But our private opinion, publicly c!
pressed, is that we in the county are n
in readiness for any removal, until SUI
time as several ether issues are dste
mined and settled