The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-12-25
BACK TO YAKIMA
MAY TEST VALIDITY or
COUNTY DIVISION LAW
Rumored That Statute Creating Ben
ton County May Be Question
In Courts.

Inere nave not been many devel-
opments in the County VS.. Gloyd
case, as the matter is practically in
the hands of the grand jury. Both
sides are, however, preparing for a
battle royal in case an indictment is
found and the matter comes before
the court, says the Prosser Record.
A big lot of legal talent is being
arrayed on both sides. For the
county so far, Elmer E. Todd, ex-
United States district attorney, anu
Robt. F. Booth, the recognized lead
err in the state senate, are engaged.
For Mr.. Gloyd the attorneys so
far announced are Ira Englehart,
Judge Rgg, both of North Yakima,
and Attorney B. E. McGregor of
Prosser.
1t is rumored that there will be
all kinds of things develop if the
case comes to trial. Among other
things it is said that the validity Of
the law creating Benton county
may be attacked If this law should
be knocked out then of course It
follows that whatever the commits
sioners have done, both in the Gloyd
and other cases, cannot very we'll
be attacked on legal grounds. #
Benton county does not legally
exist then the county. not existing,
cannot sue anybody as corpora
| ton.
1t isn't at all likely that the peo-
pie of Benton county will find them
selves back in Yakima county
whether or no. but still it can be
reckoned upon as one OF the bare
possibilities If the attorneys set UP
all the claims they are rumored to
be thinking of doing.
1t is not known exactly as to what
grounds the validity of the Law
creating Benton county will be at.
! tackled, but from the list of legal
names before us it is hardly to be
imagined that the compact entered
into between the various forces al
the time the division of Yakima
county was agreed to will be held
up to the public gaze any more than
can be helped. 1t was charged that
the only grounds upon which per
mission for the creation of Benton
county was granted was the agree
ment that the Northern Pacific
railway property would be assessed
lightly. It will be remembered
that the assessment was "equalized'
by being substantially lowered.
Most of our citizens, however,
rather favor the case being brought
to trial, no matter what threats may
be made on either side There has
been so much said about graft and
corruption that they think it best IL
thresh the matter out thoroughly
and settle it once for all There is
an inclination to smile at be idea
of being placed back in Yakima
county, but there are those who say
the idea is more serious than L
looks. Anyway, if the case is
brought to trial there is no doubt
but that the trial will be about as
interesting as anything tina has yet
been brought before the courts from
this county. That there will also
be an intensely interested audience
of spectators also goes without say
ing.
A week or so ago, when Mr.. Gloy
was in town from Seattle, ne and
Mr.. McKeand had long and inter
esting conference. 1t was thought
at that time that perhaps the two
proprietors of rival abstract compan-
les had effected compromise OF some
sort, but the later developments
would go to show that they are as
far apart as ever.