Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-02-06
A new STATE
IN NORTH IDAHO
Resolution Introduced in Legislature
Has Strong Support in Both Houses
Of That Body
TO CUT OFF 10 NORTH COUNTIES
Enough Members Pledged to Secure
Passage Of Measure

BOISE, Feb. 5.-Senate and house
introduced this morning joint reso-
luton asking congress for creation
of new state. Was referred to con-
ference committee and ordered print
ed. The resolution win surely be
passed as the necessary votes are
pledged. The new state will have
area of $4,000 square miles, a popu-
lation of 100000 and valuation of
$3.50, ,00G. The dividing line is be-
tween townships nine and ten north,
and follows the divide between the
Salmon and Snake rivers east. Ac-
ton was brought about by resoIu-
ton by Findley to move state uni
versity to Boise and the attitude of
Governor Alexander toward the APP
preparation for that institution.
The above is the gist of tele-
gram received by the Herald from
Representative Kent announcing the
action that was taken yesterday for
the formation of a new state in
northern Idaho. The resolution was
introduced yesterday and Mr.. Kent
stated he was very confident of it's
adoption.
Plans for the creation of a new
state out of the 10 counties in north
ern Idaho were virtually crystallized
at Boise Saturday when a caucus.
was held by northern Idaho members
with those from the south who ia
vor the secession. 1t was decided.
at this caucus to confine the boun--
diaries to the panhandle and not
take in territory from either Wash
ington or Montana. The southern.
boundary of the proposed new state
the name of which has not as yet.
been selected, is to be the present.
southern boundary of Idaho county,.
the northern boundary is to be Can
ada. 4
Necessary Population and Area. Z
The proposed new state claims a
valuation of $160,OOO,OOO, the nee
essary population and the required
area. The measure to be introduced
will call for a constitutional con-
vention to be held in some city in
northern Idaho in June of the pres
ent year to draft a constitution for
the proposed state. The signature
of the governor is not necessary, it
is claimed, to pass the resolution,
and only the approval of congress
is required The secession bill to
go before that body is very similar
to county division bill before the
Idaho house.
Northern Idaho members report
they will have something to say
after the measure is introduced
Without exception they are for the
measure, their signatures having
been attached to a pledge to sup
port it.
In an attempt to block the seces-
! sion measure members of the legis-
lature from western and southern
, Idaho counties are becoming very ac-
tive. The fact that southern Idaho
. will be left as the old state and
/, thereby more solidly connected up
politically with the southeast does
not appeal to them.
Those members who have signed
to support the state division meas
: ure are to be held to their pledge
to see that bill or resolution through
!. by promises of support for measures
! they are vitality interested in.
Representatives MCGOWAN and
Daughters in the house, and Sena-
tors Lewis and briggs in the senate,
are very active leaders in directing
the division plans.
A majority in the senate and SO
a of the SO in the house necessary for
majority have signed to support
o the measure while five others have
: pledged to back it although refus-
Q ing to sign, giving safe majority
6 in both houses.