The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1912-02-09
CLASSIFICATION
Still UNCHANGED
COMMISSIONERS DECLARE FED.
ERAL CENSUS INACCURATE
And UNRELIABLE.

Whitman is still a county of the
seventh class. Following a hearing
in the court room Tuesday afternoon
as to why the county shoulu not be
lowered to the eighth class, an order
was. made by the board of commits
sioners fixing the county in the
seventh class.
The order, in part, as issued by the
commissioners, is as follows: "Evi-
dence was introduced showing that
the federal census of Whitman county
taken in 1910 was deficient, inaccu-
rat and totally unreliable, and also to
the effect that the population on No
vember 8, 1910, was over $4,000,
and, it appearing to the commission
ers from the testimony introduced,
both oral and documentary, that the
classification of Whitman county
should not be changed from the
seventh to the eighth class, and that
officials elected at that time are en-
seventh class, it is ordered that Whit
man county be, and now is, a county
of the seventh Glass;
Judge E. X. Hanna appeared for
the Farmers Union and Grange and
Judge J. N. Pickrell for the county
officers. The expense of securing evil
dence and presenting the case for the
officers was borne by all the county
officers, Notwithstanding the state
ment of correspondent for a Spo-
kane daily who misquoted Sheriff
Carter in saying that two of the Off
GERS did not participate.
After the order of the commission
ers had been issued Auditor McCros-
key was still in doubt as to whether
he should pay the county officers the
difference between salaries of the
seventh and eighth classes, which he
has been holding back for the past
three months. Before deciding he
submitted the following questions to
the prosecuting attorney:
us it your opinion that the COM
missioners could sit in judgment and
pass upon evidence submitted and
determine the classification of the
county?
'Since they have found this to be
county of the seventh class, in your
opinion is it now a county of the
seventh class until changed by court
of competent Jurisdiction?
''If you answer these in the affir-
native, shall have no hesitency in
paying salaries of the seventh class
county"
In reply to the first question Prose
cutting Attorney fattison said: I'm
my opinion the commissioners have
that power" and to the second ques-
ton, "In my opinion it is.'' Mr.. Patti
son added in his reply to Auditor Nc
Croskey: 81 would advise further
that in drawing warrants referred to
in your letter that you hold same the
statutory period of 10 days before
delivery"
Auditor McCroskey says: with my
present light / shall issue warrants
for back salaries in 10 days" The
difference in salaries between the
seventh and eighth classes amounts
to about $500 month.
Ben Manchester, a member OF the
committee from the Farmers union
appointed to look after the classifica-
tion business, says: 81 do not believe
the auditor will be enjoined from pay
ing the back salaries. When the
classification of the county is estab-
lished the matter of salaries will ad-
just itself The classification busi-
ness will most certainly be carried
into the superior court"
Judge Hanna of the firm of Hanna
& Hanna, says: I'VE have been re-
tanned to determine the classification
of Whitman county, and we are not
going to quit now. Our method of
procedure will depend on what ac-
ton is taken by the other side''