Dinner at the Antler: Newport Lobbies Stevens County for Its Own Courthouse

On Monday the county commissioners of Stevens County, Messrs. G. W. Sutherland, S. S. Beggs and G. W. Bryant, were in Newport as the guests of the Commercial Club and Town Council, for the purpose of investigating conditions relative to the need of a judicial district on the east side of the county; also to look over the temporary facilities offered by the town and make suggestions as to needs of the future.

The commissioners, accompanied by County Clerk Johnson, arrived at noon and spent the afternoon looking over the town and conferring with the committee and citizens relative to the matter. Sheriff Graham, who had also been invited to accompany the party, did not arrive until the evening, and Judge Carey was kept from coming by the necessity of holding court that day at Colville.

At 8 p.m. the gentlemen were entertained at an informal dinner party at the Antler by a committee from the Commercial Club and the Town Council. There were in addition invited to be present residents of the east side from out of town who happened to be in the city, and after the sumptuous repast provided, the gentlemen present were invited to give expression to their opinions, and they were unanimous in laying before the commissioners the need of a judicial district on this side of the county.

The gentleman [speaker] enlarged upon the need of relief from present conditions and cited instances where citizens were deprived, by a matter of expense, from asserting or defending their rights. The commissioners were not asked to pledge themselves in the matter, but spoke briefly on the proposed plan, as did also County Clerk Johnson.

The commissioners returned to Colville Tuesday, and on Wednesday postponed action on the matter until the June session, as the new law providing for the division of the county into judicial districts does not go into effect until that time. It is understood, however, that the plan meets with general approval in all parts of the county, as the merits of the contentions of the east side must be conceded, and a sense of fairness dictates that justice should be done in this matter.

No claim is made by the people of this side that it would not slightly increase court costs of the county, but the demand for an additional place of holding court is made because the best interests of the people of this side require it. To establish this district will do away with the demand for a division of the county, as practically all other matters of county business can be arranged without the necessity of making the expensive trip to the county seat. Newport has gone on record, through its council and Commercial Club, to the effect that it will provide the needed court facilities, and there should be no cause for turning down what is a reasonable request on the part of the people of eastern Stevens County.