uesdwef.html

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., October 18, 1912, page 6

"UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!"

The "Agriculturist" of Goldendale, September 7th, 1912, contained an article against County Division, entitled "United We Stand; Divided We Fall!" We believe this expression originated with the Thirteen Colonies about the time they separated from the Mother Country. Time has demonstrated the wisdom of that separation, though it was bitterly opposed by the Mother Country at the time. The Thirteen precincts west of the proposed new County line, at the last primary election, voted upon the question of County Division. Out of the 1255 votes cast upon the question, 1033 voted for, and only 222 voted against division. Does this not look as though our ""Thirteen Colonies" believed in the old saying? Does this look like: "The harpings of a few individuals boosting for County Division for mercenary purposes?" We have not seen these returns published in the Goldendale papers. Why not? Let us be fair with each other. When the overwhelming majority in a particular territory wants a separation, and they are doing their utmost to secure the same, there is a good reason. When Senator John E. Campbell supported the Bill before the Legislature at a previous session, he had informed himself and knew he was right; that he was simply performing his duty honestly and in partially, in accordance with the dictates of justice and right. Certain interests at Goldendale undertook to bull-doze him down and on February 17, 1911, sent him a telegram, stating resolutions purporting to have been adopted by "Citizens of Goldendale, etc.," to the effect that: "John E. Chappell is not working for the best interests of the district which he represents, and that his action in this matter is deplored by the entire county including the majority of the citizens of the proposed new county." The Senator said seventy-five percent of the people in the West End wanted County Division. Has he not been proven right? That telegram further stated that County Division was supported only by: "Private interests for mercenary purposes" and the "Citizens of Goldendale" further resolved (according to that telegram) that: "We deplore the fact that we are unable at this time to invoke the recall of the said Senator John E. Chapell." The persons who were instrumental in the adoption of these resolutions were either so personally interested against County Division "for mercenary reasons" that they had no regard for the truth, or else they were guilty of inexcusable ignorance of the facts.
Over 82 per cent of the people of the West End voted for County Division, but N.B. Brooks of Goldendale, the Democratic candidate for State Representative, decided the rights of the West End without a hearing. He pledged himself in advance against County Division. If he knows as little about the conditions, the needs and the rights of the people of the West End as he did about the "Small number of persons boasting for County Division for mercenary reasons," and yet not knowing, is willing to judge the case without a hearing and pledge himself against Division, we submit to all fair-minded voters the question, whether or not he is a safe man to represent Klickitat County in the Legislature, where laws affecting the Railroads, the Saloon Interest, and the interests of the taxpayers are to be acted upon? In view of his action in this matter, could he be expected to act without prejudice or personal interest in matters of greater importance?
On the other hand Chas. R. Spencer, the regular Republican candidate for State Representative, came before the primary upon this platform: If elected, he would fairly and impartially represent to the best of his judgment, the interests of the entire County of Klickitat and would favor such laws as tend to the uplift of Humanity and the progress and development of the County; that if the majority of the voters in the West End of Klickitat County voted for County Division, he would …… the rest of the page is missing on this microfilm roll.