The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-08-09
LAKE COUNTY ISSUE.
Review Of Situation FavOTing
Division.

Aue OptTIb Lake deTalO gives the
following review OF the county
division situation, which promises to
have considerable bearing 10 the
present campaign and is OF interest
to Rathdrum and vicinity which are
included in the proposed new county
of Lake:
Looking toward the creation of
Lake county, direct action was taken
recently by filing at the county seat
the names OF candidates for the stat e
legislature who will represent 10 a
falr manner the interests OF the
people 10 northern Kootenai county,
and who have the best interests of
the state as whole at heart. These
men are openly 10 favor of county
division. at the present time il
| possible. Ii this be not possible as
result of action taken by the next
legislature, they at least favor the
passage of an enabling act whereby
power will be given the voters To
decide the matter for themselves at
| the proper time as TO whether they
desire the creation of Lake county.
These men are all pioneers OF nor
thern Kootenai county and are
familiar with conditions and needs of
the district in which they live. They
remember why it was necessary to
create among Others, the Panhandle
Highway district, 10 order to get the
much needed highway improvements.
They have 10 mind the very limited
representation which has been ac-
corded this district at Occur d'Alene
only one deputy In 10 years. They
realize that the taxes paid by our
citizens are out OF all proportion to
the results achieved In the way of
Improvements for our part OF the
county and which has been the direct
result of unfair representation Ia
county affairs. Past history shows
every candidate who would fairly
represent this district to have been
defeated overwhelmingly by the
Occur d'Alene vote.
The argument is brought forward
that county division will not be con-
ducive to the best Interests of the
people. We are willing TO grant that
it may not benefit Occur d'Alene
people and especially IL they continue
to handle county matters In such a
high handed manner as 10 the past.
We do maintain, however. that 1t
will be of great benefit to the people |
10 the proposed county OF Lake. |
Smaller units tend to briog, the
people closer to their government and
to promote efficiency and economy,
for small ring of selfish men cannot
arbitrarily dictate to underlings and
favor alone their own interests and
locality.
The position which Lake county
would have among the other counties |
OF the state would be not at all un-
favorable. In southern Idaho coun.
ties have been created with but one
half of the assessed valuation of the |
proposed county of Lake, and these |
southern counties have constantly |
added to an already large southern |
majority in the state legislature.
Viewing 1t in larger sense the |
creation of Lake county would benefit
not only its own district but also all |
north Idaho through increased repre-
sentation at Boise, and IL would tend
to Offset that balance of power which |
those southern counties hold.
Evidence as to where the people of |
this district stand is not lacking. At
the general election when this matter
was presented TO the voters, every
precinct with the exception OF one,
showed substantial majority to be
10 favor of county division.
Vote Cast For aud Against Lake
County, General Election, 1916
Yes No
an- 800 4