The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1893-02-04
OPPONENTS At WORK.
Wealth and Population Sulicisnt Pr
Two Counties
LEGIsLArH FOR THE PEOPLE,
They Ask the Legislature to Divide Ksste.si
County, and Their Wishes sasuld y
Granted.

The question OF county division Il
not new, as the few opponents, located
principally in and around Rathdrum.
the county seat, would make believe.
1t is not scheme originating with :
lew real estate spectators, as has been
charged, but Is popular uprising of
the people whose hard earnings are be-
ing Slapped in the expense of keeping IN
the government Of a county 80 large
and unwleldy thatit cannot possibly BE-
economically managed. 1t is question
that has been publicly discussed for the
past year, and by common consent un-
derstood that bill for division would
be presented at the present session OF
the legislature.
The only argument SO far advanced
by the opposition is that the scheme is
gotten up by c9ur d'Aiene boomers
who wish to locate the county seat
there To show the absurdity Of this
argument it is only necessary to aIlude
to the fact that this city is not asking
for the county seat, neither could she
secure it at the hands of the legislature
II she did, as it is provided in the divi-
sion bill that new county shall be
formed out of the northern half OF
kootenai. thus leaving this city in the
old county, with the county seat where
it i5-at Rashdrum.
At the next general election If the
people desire to change the county seat.
we presume they should have night to
do so. However, that question does
not enter into the present division
which should be decided
upon its merits.
Why should the county be divided?
In the first place, being over $50 miles
long by more than 80 wide, it is too
large Tie facilities for travelling are
too limited, and the expenses in reach
ing the county seat from either the
northern or southern ends of the county
TOO great. The mileage fees paid wit
aesseS in criminal cases amount to
thousands of dollars each year, and all
other expenses of similar nature are
enormous.
The county has sufficient wealth and
.axable property to form and maintain
MO counties. The assessed valuation
asst year exceeded 81, 10000, about
'qually divided. A per cent assess
nent on half of the amount would pro-
'nee revenue of $4,000, to which
must be added licenses and other in
emes that would materially increase
his. No person at all acquainted with
he management of county affairs will
ay that this is not sufficient to cover
he expenses of a county economically
nd honestly managed.
There are over $50 miles of railroad
the county, which paid into the treas
Try last year $4,000 in taxes. Suppose
ivision is secured and the present rate
4 taxation prevails; it will bring a
evenue into the treasury of each
mounting to $1,000, the assessed yalu-
ton being about equally divided be-
ween the railroads and resident tax
ayers. If it were fact that division
'euld not result in reduction of taxes,
certainly must save many dollars to
he people who are compelled to travel
ing distances to reach the county seat,
or that reason alone the people of
orthern Kootenai are entitled to a new
eunty.
We have carefully surveyed tho situ-
ton and are convinced that at least
iree-fourths of the people favor divi-
on. They know from bitter expert
ice that the opportunities for extrava-
ance in a county the size of kootenai
re too great. and demand relief.
We believe the legislature will not
eny them division. 1t certainly would
OF lifts members were fully acquainted
18th the facts.
Divide the county, is the cry from all
,ctious.
Mr.. Albert Fayorite. of Arkansas