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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., February 9, 1911, page 6

COUNTY DIVISION

A petition is now being circulated in the White Salmon vicinity the purpose of which is county division. A news mention of the same is given in the correspondence column and it would seem that pressure is being brought to bear to revive this agitation at this time. Klickitat county is indeed far too small for a division at present. If the petitioner would stop to think of the great expense which would be involved upon the two thousand people within the proposed boundaries of such a new county, doubtless a great deal of the enthusiasm would cease and a more conservative view of the situation would be taken. There is no question that Klickitat county will be divided, probably more than once, in the time to come when our population has considerably increased and when the assessable property has likewise become more valuable and upon which more revenue it can be obtained. Patriotism and public sentiment are both good for any community, and White Salmon has plenty of each, but a careful compilation of the cost involved in creating and maintaining a new county should be reckoned. One must take into consideration that two separate organizations, officers, buildings, supplies and the like, must be provided to do the work now been done by one. Inasmuch as a new county will involve further taxation, likewise taking a portion of assessable property from the present county and we do not see where there is any over abundance in the way of taxes coming in, or where anyone is particularly elated over the lowness of the present levy. Let us look at this matter squarely before taking any steps to create a new county at this time. The time will come, and as soon as we have reached a greater degree of development and a more dense population, that new counties can and should be formed. Possibly the present condition inflicts more or less inconvenience upon people residing in western Klickitat, yet it would not be materially bettered by a present division, when the multitude of affairs necessary in division would bring a considerable expense upon the taxpayers, and that, you will find, is what is interesting to the average taxpayer mostly.