The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-10-07
As ColviIIe Sees 1t

talk about, county division seems
to supply the deficiency. ColVllie
can remain mum on the question
and enjoy seeing the advocates OF
county division tear one another
into shreds.
The fact tina! Oolvillr went dry
at the recent local option election
gave Springdale chance to sail IN
and start something. But the
strange part of the Springdale plan
is that Chewelah went wet, yet
Springdale does rot seem wiling
to reward Chewelah for her stand
on the liquor. question, but proposes
a. plan of east and west division
whereby Springdale will become
the county seat. Editor Brownlow
saws "nixie" to Springdale's propo-
sition, because by an east and west
division Chewelah would naturally
be thrown near the north line OF
the new county, and would stand
little show of landing the prize.
Newport also went dry in the re-
cent option election and Editor
Wolf becomes red headed at the
thought of east and west division,
contending that the north and south
line of the mountain range should
be the dividing line, thereby giving
Newport a chance to land the coun-
ty capital.
But Newport's worst enemies
nowadays seem to be on the east
side. and Editor Logue vehemently
sets forth the claims of Usk and
lone.
On account of the heavy indebt-
edness of the county and the great
expense which a new set OF county
officials, court house, jail and rec
ords would entail, those parties,
even on the east side; who are at
all posted on the financial affairs
of the county, are opposed to county
division at this time. claiming that
it would only be another instance
like Ferry county and would be a
detriment rather than a benefit.
The editor of the Statesman
Index is inclined not to throw any
obstruction in the way Of proper
division of the county. We do not
believe that the section east Of the
range is of any particular benefit
to Colville. We believe that that
part of the county west OF
the range is large enough
and wealthy enough to take
care of itself in good shape. 1t
is the proposed new county, which
will be shy of taxable property and
short on population. The residents
of the east side should well CON
slider the matter before asking tC
be made separate county. The
ambitions of Newport, Springdaie
Usk or lone should be the last con.
sideration in this matter.
In conversation with the bes
posted man on Stevens county
finances recently he Informed Us
that he was opposed to any county
division at this time that In tel
years it would be feasible, and tina
then he would favor it. He has
the situation sized up right anc
considers only the welfare of th'
taxpayers of the county.
To attempt to divide the count,
by an east and west line woult
make matters worse that at present
Expense would be increased will
no benefit to anyone except tn
town of Springdale. We like Spring
dale, but not we'll enough to die TO
her in this way.
When county division is ripe,
north and south division, with tn
range as the line, is the only prac
tical solution. Newport, Usk AM
| lone can then settle itamong them
selves as to which will be the; coun
to seat.
The Northport Republican get
) in with this: with all this scram
BILE over the division of the county
and with so many worthy place