, 1890-01-23

lature to divide Spokane and Whit
man counties and form q new coun.
ty should not bs allowed to pass
until the residents of these counties
have given their consent by ballot
ON the question of the proposed seq.
regation. II, after the matter has
been thoroughly considered il is
thought hest to grant the advocates
Of this movement the privilege OF
forming q new county, then and
not till then should this bill be pre-
sentej TO the legislature.
The constitution divides the state
into judicial districts, which are SO
srranged, taking into consideration
the population of the districts and
the convenience of courts, as to
equalize the judicial work to be per-
formed. II a new county Is formed
these districts will have to be re-
formed 80 far MS these courts are con-
ccrned, and the court and county
records copied, all of which would
entail great expense and lncon-
vcnience.
So far as learned there are but few
persons who desire to organize this
county. If the question were left to
a vote of the. people who reside
within tho bounds of the proposed
county there is but little doubt that
the result would be decidedly against
assuming the expense of supporting
q new county organization. The
average farmer is opposed TO an In
crease of taxation, especially when
the benefits to lie derived from this
seliemc will accrue to few specula-
;Nrs in property ut the proposed
pe~ county scnt. 1t has been with
Giiiiculty, which the taxpayers fully
appreciate, TINT the public build
ires IN these counties have been con-
rtiucfcd and paid for. The county
lsoraoaso and farm In Spokane
tounf3' are at Spargle, which IL just
nerUs8 the proposed line In the new
vouety. II this bill Is passed some
provision should be made To reim-
Lure spokane county for its prop
erIy which Is proposed to he taken.
Al present the general complaint,
especially with attorneys, Is tina
Spokane county is TOO small. Court
business at least is very light, and IL
the county IL divided there wouldt
he but very little business to attract
the attention OF the hest lawyers.
This bill should not be allowed to
pass.
First-Because the people of Spo-
kane and Whitman counties are OPP
posed TO u segregation of their re-
spective territory.
Second-Because the constitution
provides for full quota Of county
officials In each county, and IL the
territory embraced within Whitman
and Spokane counties is divided in
to three counties the expense neces-
sary to support these county organi-
xations will be increased one-third,
which Is unnecessary and burden
some taxation Of the people.
And third Because the proposed
bill Is unconstitutional In its present
shape. Section 3 of article ii of the
constitution points out the manner
Of procedure which must pe fol-
lowed. II reads as follows: mo
new county shall be established
which shall reduce any county to a
population less than 1900, nor shall
a new county he formed contai ming
a less population than 1000. There
shall be no territory stricken from
any county unless a majority Of the
voters living In such territory shall
petition therefor, and then only
under such conditions as may he
prescribed by general law appli-
cable TO the whole state"
In this case there has been no gem
eral law passed providing for the es-
tablishment of new counties, and II
Is doubtful whether there is n petit
ton before the Legislature signed by
a majority Of the voters
residing within the territory
named asking for the passage of
this bill. A petition having names
signed thereto will not suffice each
name must be that of "A resident
voter, and II is diiiicult TO see how
list of legal voters can be obtained
without submitting the question to
a vote of the people. A poll list
might be considered proper petit
ton to present TO the legislature
after general law has been passed
prescribing the manner and method
Of iDroccdure