The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-02-13
posi- TO BE SOLD.

Inc people OF OOeur AASHo NV
under no obligations to Spokane for
the fact that the old post grounds are
at last to be sold in accordance with
their wishes. This atcion would I'M
doubtedly have been taken several
years ago but for the opposition that
always came from Spokane. 1t seems
that the people of that city have been
determined that after they secured
the abandonment of Fort Sherman
for the purpose Of conserving their
own selfish ends, the grOun1 should
remain indefinitely unOccupied and OF
no benefit to the town of Occur d.
Alene. The method employed to
accomplish this was the pretext that
they wanted national soldiers home
established here when it has been
known for years that the government
is averse to building another home.
The wishes of the people of Occur a.
Alene were not consulted, nor did
Spokane care what our desires we're
in the matter, so long as they could
keep the ground unoccupied. The
unprecedented interference Of her
senators in Idaho affairs finally be-
came so obnoxious that Senator
Dubois was compelled to take the
matter before the senate in the form
of a resolution, to protect the dignity
and interests of his state. The people
of Idaho, especially those of the
northern part of the state, are becom-
ing very tired Of this everlasting in
reference in their public affairs BY
Spokane and the Washington senator's
and if We mistake not the sentiment,
it is decidedly adverse to these
methods Of interference and any more
Of it will do the city of Spokane no
good.
The Spokane Chronicle says that
the people Of that city are will
ing to labor hand in hand with the
surrounding towns. II this is true,
will the Chronicle please explain why
its people and representatives in con,
gress have been, for the past four
years, opposing the opening of the
reservation. 1t is through their
efforts that the opening has been de-
layed. They have never consulted
the people of Occur d'Alene In the
matter, which would have been com
mon courtesy, but have gone ahead to
cIrcumvent our wishes, ignored them
in a manner that is not at all pleas
ing. If the people Of Spokane are
willing to labor with the people Of
this section, as the Chronicle states,
they will in future consult our wishes
IL matters of local interest and not
proceed to do things their own way.
Efforts have been made for several
years to have the grounds and build
ings converted into a soldiers home.
These have failed because the govern.
ment believes there is no necessity
for additional homes and ample pro
NASAOA 10 BON AldtAD III kut IdIlOlAl
and state homes for all Of the dis
abled veterans. II is not that the
people of Occur d'Alsne have any
objection to properly caring for the
men who saved the union, bat ex
perience has shown that further efforts
to create a home here simply mean
delay in getting the reserve open 80
that 1t will be of benefit to the
public. The old soldier is deserving
and should have the best Of care in
his declining years, but what ia the
use of attempting to do that which
the government opposes. Let the
reserve be put up and sold after a big
public park has been Topped of the
east side for the people. That Ia
what we want and if Spokane is going
to continue her opposition We can
assure her business men that they will
gain nothing by such action. If they
will join us 10 securing what Is DOS
sible both cities will be benefited.