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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 13, 1914, page 1

VOTERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON COUNTY DIVISION

Again the one condition presents itself to the voters of this county, that will take away all of the possible benefits from the work of a state senator and representative -- county division. Either one of the two legislators would dead lock the interest's of the county at large to combat this issue. The thing was done two years back, and from indications at present, will be done again this next session of the legislature. Broad thinking people realize the present condition of the country, the financial tendency, and the general depression of increased taxation.
There are organizations over the state that are combating any increase of taxes. Such an organization is in force in White Salmon, we understand. Let us hope the officers of such a body will investigate fully the meaning of the county division, and its effects on taxes.
Where a representative it is pitted against a senator in the same district over an important issue, the deadlock in securing a single advantage for their constituents, cuts them out of every advantage. Their fellow legislators have every advantage and can practically "trade" them off their feet.
So much for candidates selected by rival parts of the county for these offices. The present situation is very important to those who are opposed to a division of Klickitat County. So far as we are informed, there have been two who have openly and flat footedly expressed themselves as directly against any division of this county, namely N.B. Brooks, of this city, democratic candidate for state representative, and J.M. Stevenson, of Stevenson, republican candidate for state senator.
Would a second county seat, high on the hill at White Salmon, in this same territory as the present Klickitat County help anyone to pay their taxes? Will it help to lower them? And will it increase them? Horse sense will figure the proposition out. Two dinky counties in place of one that is in none too prominent a rank now. Officers in both counties underpaid and consequently occupied by persons who could not otherwise make good. A hundred dollars a month man cannot afford to work for sixty five dollars, these days. The glory of a county office is exceedingly limited. Two court houses to maintain, records to transcribe -- a mountain of detail in county division -- what does it mean to you Mr. Taxpayer? A second county in this territory would be a luxury. Are you looking for such luxuries Mr. Voter?
There is no one that blames the leading boosters of White Salmon for their efforts to secure for that place a county seat. They certainly have a civic pride that is unwavering. The county seat there would be of considerable benefit to land values, and we suppose the ring-leaders - note we do not call them "gang -- all have a little land that might be sold if the price was right. Sure, the division would be good for you. How about the rest of us in the County? There is no chance for any other place in the West End to get the county seat. Believe that was fought out once,. That is not a part of the program.
Summed up, county division is a bad thing for Klickitat, for the present. The time will come when the division will be brought about, and there will be no opposition from Goldendale or the "gang." We want good times in old Klickitat. We want some legislation that will help us. We want our representative and senator to go to Olympia and work together in an allied spirit for the good of the community -- not tied up with a proposition fostered by a few, who paint with glowing colors a condition that cannot be brought about with a county division at this time.
There is plenty of time before the primaries. Think this matter over. Look it up with an entirely unprejudiced viewpoint. When it comes to nuptial bliss, it is said that two can live as cheaply as one. Stretch the idea to apply to counties -- can they?
In the matter of county candidates, the question of division is unfair. None of the county officers could have a direct bearing in securing the division, and they could be of no more assistance to either cause than their personal influence, which would be the same whether elected to office or not. There is one phase, however, which voters will do well to remember on Primary day, and that is the candidate who seek favor of the hands of all voters, by proclaiming in the East End direct opposition to county division; in this vicinity a rigid neutrality; in the west end a brotherly feeling for the long suffering ones who are despoiled by the harrowing political gang of tricksters, cut throats and pirates, who are sapping the taxpayers at the county seat -- and more of that slush - infirito! Any candidate whose straddles a fence thusly, who has a bright, and deceptive eye, for all of the voters, can but expects a twenty three tag on election day.
This same old chant of "political ring" which the writer has heard time and time again, from chronic agitators, and has seen nothing of in this vicinity, is out in force and is supposed to terrify the uninitiated. Common sense is all the voter needs when he marks his ballot. He has his inclinations when it comes to the candidates. His own interests every time should dictate his vote.