USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 88
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 88
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 88
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But it should not be condemned in advance. Perhaps it will be impartial and efficient. It is sincerely hoped that it will. If it is not, the sole responsi- bility will rest on Governor Mead. He must answer to the republican party of this state and to the people for the commission's acts. If it is a failure, the governor will be promptly retired from public life, which will be just and proper. If the commission does the right thing, then the credit will belong to that offi- cial. The "Bulletin" has never been a pessimist ; it always hopes for the best. But, frankly, it has the very gravest apprehensions about the impartiality of this railroad commission. It is disappointel that the governor did not select at least two of the members about whose record on this question there could be doubt as to their fidelity to the cause.
From the "Bulletin" of a week later (June 29, 1905) we discover that the duly appointed county commissioners went promptly to work :
BENTON COUNTY DOING BUSINESS
Benton County commenced doing business last Friday, June 23, shortly before midnight. County Commissioners Jenson, Carey and Sims went to North Yakima Friday afternoon, had their bonds approved by Judge H. B. Rigg of the superior court, took the oath of office and hurried home on the night train. The board then went into session at the office of Coffin Brothers' store, County Attorney C. O. Anderson being present to act as their legal ad- viser. The board organized by electing Carl A. Jenson as chairman, Mr. Carey acting as clerk pro-tem. The first official act of the board was to appoint J. D. Marsh as clerk of the Superior Court, who went to North Yakima Saturday morning and took the oath of office before Judge Rigg. The next act of the board was to appoint the county officers as follows:
Auditor-F. H. Gloyd. Sheriff-A. G. McNeill.
Treasurer-C. O. Kelso.
Superintendent of schools-J. W. Gilkey.
Surveyor-A. L. Smith.
Coroner-Dr. F. S. Hedger.
The board then adjourned until Saturday morning, the adjourned session being held in the city hall at 10:20 o'clock, Auditor F. H. Gloyd acting as clerk
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
and County Attorney Anderson being present. The only business transacted was to fix the bonds of the officers where they are not fixed by statute, the auditor being instructed to notify the officers to file their bonds and qualify within fifteen days or their office will be declared vacant, as provided by law. A letter accompanies the notification urging the officials to file their bonds and qualify on or before July 1st. The bond of the treasurer was fixed at $25,000, the statutes providing that it shall be twice the amount of money he is liable to have on hand at any one time. The sheriff's bond was fixed at $2,500, the minimum amount required by law. The statutes fix the bonds of the commis- sioners and county attorney at $5,000 each. The board discussed informally the matter of dividing the county into three commissioner districts, but took no action, the county attorney advising that no further business be transacted at this meeting. The board will meet next Monday, July 2d, for its regular quarterly meeting.
There will be a great deal of business to transact at that time, which will probably include ordering cells for the jail, furniture and supplies for the court- house, a vault for the records, advertising for bids to transcribe the records and county printing and many other matters. Auditor Gloyd has opened his office at the Prosser State Bank and is doing business. He has appointed A. C. Snow- den as deputy and will himself pay his salary. Sheriff McNeill is also on duty, his office for the present being at the real estate office of McNeill & Stam. Hal Jack of Horse Heaven, has been sworn in as his deputy and the city jail, for the present, will be used by the county. At this writing the first victim has not yet been captured.
Clerk J. D. Marsh is on duty at the courthouse, which workmen are putting in shape as fast as possible by papering the rooms and getting them ready for occupancy. Commissioner Jenson is superintending the work in a thorough manner, also having charge of cleaning up the old Riverside Hotel, which is going to make very comfortable temporary quarters for the officials. County Superintendent Gilkey was on hand Tuesday, but his office was not ready and there was nothing for him to do.
OFFICERS' BONDS FILED
The following bonds of county officers have been filed. all with the audi- tor, with the exception of that official's bond, which is filed with Clerk Marsh :
Commissioner Carl A. Jenson, $5,000; sureties, John W. Brown, Peter Prengruber, C. C. McCown and Moritz Allgaier.
Commissioner J. W. Carey, $5,000; sureties, Elmer Bernard, Byron Ber- nard, H. J. Jenks and H. W. Creason.
Commissioner W. P. Sims, $5,000; sureties, the Title Guaranty & Trust Company, bond furnished through Attorney B. E. McGregor.
Sheriff A. G. McNeill, $2,500; sureties, D. M. Angus, O. S. Brown and J. S. Roberts.
Clerk J. D. Marsh, $2,000; sureties, the Title Guaranty & Trust Company. Auditor F. H. Gloyd, $3,000; sureties, H. J. Jenks, Josiah Burchett and A. D. Snowden.
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Justice of Peace S. H. Mason, $500; sureties, W. H. Hill and C. C. McCown.
COUNTY NEWS NOTES
The first business to be transacted by Clerk Marsh was to acknowledge a bond on Tuesday for Attorney Andrew Brown, for which the county received a fee of fifty cents.
Sheriff McNeill performed his first official act Tuesday. It was to serve a restraining order on E. A. McEchran from the Superior Court commanding him not to allow the waste water from his ditch to run on the premises of W. H. Burrel. The former lives on the western boundary line of the county and the latter just over the line in Yakima County.
The first instrument filed in Benton County was received by Auditor Gloyd last Saturday. It was a warranty deed by George J. Hesselman and wife, conveying to Edward Reed, lots 7 and 8, block 57, Prosser, for a consid- eration of $250. In addition to the above, up to yesterday noon, three mort- gages have been filed with the auditor and a warranty deed from Mr. and Mrs. Hesselman conveying lot 12, block 47, Prosser, to G. H. L. Moore for $50.
County Attorney C. O. Anderson earned the first money for Benton County a week ago last Monday. On that day, after County Attorney Krutz of Yakima had notified the officials there to transact no more business from Ben- ton County, Mr. Anderson telephoned Auditor Newcomb that there was a sick pauper at Kennewick that they wanted to send to Yakima. He replied that the county would not receive him; that Benton County must care for its own pau- pers. A few moments after this transaction Mr. Anderson, as justice of the peace, tried a man for petit larceny. He was fined $25, which was paid, and the money will be turned into Benton County.
County Attorney Anderson, at the meeting of the commissioners Saturday, made a good impression on the members of the board and everybody present at the meeting. He seems to know the law, is careful about giving advice, but at the same time positive, and is familiar with the duties. He was formerly county attorney of a new county in Arizona or Nevada and his previous experience will be valuable to the commissioners and other officers.
Commissioner Jenson wrote the Inland Printing Company of Spokane the other day, which has the contract for furnishing the blank books, to hurry up the commissioners' record book, which is needed to record the proceedings of the board. In response the company shipped by express a book in which to keep a record of estray animals. This book is needed, all right, but will hardly serve as a commissioners' record.
The first case in the Superior Court from Benton County was filed yester- day, being a suit to collect a debt of $117.12 by D. S. Sprinkle against M. Nakai, a Japanese foreman and boarding-house keeper for the Northern Pacific near Kennewick. Bert Linn is attorney for the plaintiff and Sheriff McNeill goes down this afternoon to serve the papers.
RECORD OF ELECTIONS
The legislative act establishing the county designated Carl A. Jenson, W.
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
P. Sims and J. W. Carey as commissioners. These commissioners duly met and created these precincts: Expansion, Finley, Glade, Hover, Kennewick, Kiona, Paterson, Prosser, Rattlesnake, Richland, Wellington, White Bluffs.
The first election in the new county occurred in 1906. As will be seen, the republicans were in an overwhelming majority on the congressional ticket, but on local tickets the result was mixed. The results of the election for congress- men were these: Humphreys 747, Jones 753, Cushman 737, William Blackman 293, Patrick S. Byrne 287, Dudley Eshelman 290. For members of the Su- preme Court of the state an average vote of 750 was cast for Mount, Crow, Root and Dunbar, the other candidates receiving an average of 290.
For state representative, fifty-eighth district, we find a democratic triumph in the election of G. W. Hamilton with 744 to 425 for H. A. Hover. Another democratic success is registered in the vote for sheriff, 750 for A. G. McNeill to 432 for John W. Randall. For clerk the vote stood: L. J. Robinson 845, J. D. Marsh 295. W. S. Jenkins for auditor had no opposition and received a vote of 845. There was a close vote for treasurer; R. B. Walker 599, H. W. Fish 554. J. W. Callicotte was chosen attorney with 666 votes to 467 for Clinton Staser. The vote for assessor resulted in 551 votes for Harry Van Horn to 599 for Samuel Crooks. Annie Goff was elected superintendent by 618 votes to 534 for Clara A. Vertrees. K. C. Bowers became surveyor with- out opposition, as also Dr. J. W. Hewitson became coroner. For commission- ers: in the first district there was a very close vote, W. C. Travis receiving 594 to 585 for D. H. Harper; in second district J. N. Crosby was elected with no opposition, and in the third Don M. Cresswell was chosen in the same easy manner. The proposition to amend Article 16 of the constitution was carried by 131 to 62, and that to amend Article 21 received 130 to 61.
ELECTION OF 1908
The following is the vote for the county officers of the general election of 1908:
Judge. Superior Court, O. R. Holcomb 1,392
Judge, Superior Court, W. W. Zent 194
Sheriff (R) E. D. Ellis 669 1 1 1
Sheriff (D) A. G. McNeill 757 1
Clerk (R) J. D. Marsh 1,005
Clerk ( Soc.) H. Strandwold 1 I
1
1 130
1 Auditor (R) W. S. Jenkins 954 1
Auditor (D) C. F. Gilpin 437 1
1 1 Treasurer (R) R. B. Walker 1,043 1
Treasurer (S) B. F. Caster 146
Prosecuting Attorney ( R) Ernest L. Kolb. 1
797
Prosecuting Attorney (D) H. Dustin 588
Prosecuting Attorney (S) Samuel Mason
124
Assessor ( R) J. K. DePriest 782
Assessor (D) S. C. Crooks 621
Superintendent of Schools (R) Minnie Carnahan 663
Superintendent of Schools (D) Annie Goff 784
Engineer (R) K. C. Bowers 1,022
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Commissioner, second district (R) J. N. Crosby 724
Commissioner, second district (D) L. A. Hienzerling 636
Commissioner, second district (S) H. D. Lake. 118
Commissioner, third district (R) H. C. J. Tweedt 725
Commissioner, third district (D) J. B. Clements 661
The election of 1910 shows a large addition to the precincts. They appear thus: Carley, Columbia, Expansion, Finley, Glade, Hanford, Horse Heaven, Hover, Kennewick, Kennewick Valley, Kiona, Paterson, Prosser, East Prosser, North Prosser, West Prosser, Rattlesnake, Richland, Wellington, White Bluffs.
Again the republicans made a great killing. The marked feature of this election was the socialist vote, there being no democrat at all in three contested cases. We find the results as follows: Representative in Congress, W. L. LaFollette, rep., 932; H. D. Merritt, dem., 241; D. C. Coates, soc., 164; state senator, fifteenth district, Frank J. Allen, rep., 900; Richard A. O'Brien, dem., 337; H. D. Jory, soc., 183; state representative, fifty-eighth district, Nelson Rich, rep., 769; A. G. McNeill, dem., 559; J. W. Brice, soc., 34; sheriff, W. R. Mahan, rep., 746; H. E. Bean, dem., 603; J. R. Mercer, soc., 154; clerk, Frank E. Snively, rep., 843; R. A. Mullengit, dem., 449; Harold Strandwold, soc., 168; auditor, A. E. Verity, rep., 1,041; Warren Edgot, dem., 201 ; treasurer, J. Kelly DePriest, rep., 984; R. W. Bignall, soc., 324; attorney, Lon Boyle, rep., 1,131; assessor, John Severyns, rep., 1,061; F. E. DeSellem, soc., 246; superintendent, Wata J. Jones, rep., 1,147; engineer, C. D. Walter, rep., 1,099; coroner, H. W. Howard, rep., 1,068; commissioner first district, H. M. Walthew, rep., 892; John Sumner, soc., 289; commissioner third district, Hans C. J. Tweedt, rep., 548; J. B. Clements, dem., 683; Frank Kelley, soc., 185; Charles M. Sanford, ind., 59.
ELECTION OF 1912
Benton County, like the state of Washington, was in the progressive line in the presidential election. The highest progressive elector received 1,370 votes, the highest democratic received 1,236, and the G. O. P. had to be content with 735. The socialists made a good showing in this election, with 356; the socialist labor ticket received 35, and the prohibition candidates received 77. The congressional returns are also suggestive. They are as follows: J. E. Frost, rep., 992; H. B. Dewey, rep., 970; J. W. Bryan, prog., 968; J. A. Fal- coner, prog., 959; E. I. Conner, dem., 332; H. M. White, dem., 326; congress- man, fourth district, W. L. LaFollette, rep., 1,421; F. M. Goodwin, prog., 797 ; R. M. Drumheller, dem., 942.
The vote for governor showed that the republican party still held its own in the county, though in the state the results were not the same. M. E. Hay, rep., received 1,486, to 1,199 for Ernest Lister, dem., and 623 for Robert Hodges, prog. For state senator in District 15, Frank J. Allen, republican, was an easy victor, although by a plurality only. The surprising thing in this elec- tion was the strength of the socialist vote. It is to be noted, however, that there was no progressive nomination and that it is probable that many of that party voted the socialist ticket. For senator the results were as follows: Frank J. Allen, rep., 1,367; Henry H. Wende, dem., 981; H. D. Jory, soc., 738; J. S.
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
McKee, prohi., 313. For state representative from District 58, we find these results: Herbert K. Rowland, rep., 1,711; L. C. Foisy, soc., 424. For superior judge, O. R. Holcomb, received 1,639 votes, with no opposition. Results in vote for local officers were these: Sheriff, W. B. Mahan, rep., 1,884; A. G. McNeill, dem., 1,384; J. W. Sumner, soc., 308; clerk, Frank E. Snively, rep., 2,236; M. E. McDougal, dem., 815; auditor, A. E. Verity, rep., 2,246; C. F. Gilpin, dem., 905; treasurer, A. C. Rundle, rep., 1,359; E. R. Harper, dem., 1,755 ; Warren Edgar, soc., 288; attorney, H. H. Cole, rep., 1,592; G. W. Ham- ilton, dem., 1,491 ; assessor, John Severyns, rep., 1,946; C. E. Rude, dem., 1,084; J. D. Smith, soc., 289; superintendent, Wata R. Jones, rep., 2,549; engineer, C. D. Walter, rep., 2,323; commissioner in District 1, H. M. Walthew, rep., 1,884; W. H. Cook, soc., 364; commissioner in District 2, D. M. Angus, rep., 953; E. J. Ward. dem., 1,702; W. B. Mathews, soc., 332; E. D. Mineah, ind., 318; coroner, G. W. Hewetson, rep., 1,586; A. DeY. Green, dem., 1,391. It is unusual and surprising to find so strong a socialist vote in a purely agricultural community.
ELECTION OF 1914
A new apportionment of precincts was one of the features of this election. They are recorded as follows: Carley, Columbia, Expansion, Finley, Glade, Hanford, Highlands, Horn Rapids, Horse Heaven, Hover, Kennewick First, Kennewick Second, Kennewick Third, Kennewick Gardens, Kennewick South, Kennewick Valley, Kiona, Lower Yakima, Paterson, Prosser First, Prosser Second, Prosser Third, Prossed East, Prosser North, Prosser West, Rattle- snake, Richland, Riverside, Vale, Walnut Grove, Wellington, White Bluffs.
The election of 1914 was marked by the passage of constitutional amend- ment No. 3, the prohibition amendment. This great stage in the progress of the state was largely an "east side" victory. The part of the state west of the Cas- cade Mountains gave a negative majority of about 10.000. But this was much more than overcome by a majority of 25,000 east of the Cascades.
The Yakima Valley was in the forefront of the victors. Yakima County cast a larger majority than any other county, but the percentage of majority to population was as large in Benton as in the mother county. The vote stood 2,016 to 1,221. The year of 1914 was a senatorial year and one of very marked interest. The swinging to and fro of parties had, however, brought the bal- ance somewhat to the normal standing of the parties, the republicans winning by a heavy plurality, though not a majority. The senatorial contest shows that W. L. Jones, having already completed one term in the upper house, following five terms in the lower house, was reelected. The vote is recorded thus: W. L. Jones, rep., 1,492; W. W. Black, dem., 839; Ole Hanson, prog., 587 ; A. H. Barth, soc., 202; A. S. Caton, prohi., 102. For representative, W. L. LaFollette, former incumbent, received 1,461 to 868 for Roscoe Drumheller, dem., 394 for M. A. Peacock, prog., 210 for John Storland, soc., and 97 for J. V, Mohr, prohi. For state representative in district 58, Grant A. Stewart, rep. was chosen by 1,649 over Knute Hill, dem., with 1,137, and Asa Vance, soc., with 203. For local officers we find the following record: Auditor, L. L. Lynn, rep., 1,753; William Guernsey, prog., 1,054; treasurer, I. L. Macumber, rep., 1,334; Earl R.
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Harper, dem., 1,362; Olaf Strandwold, prog., 321 ; clerk, M. C. Delle, rep., 2,168; sheriff, C. E. Duffy, rep., 1,564; S. A. D. Davis, dem., 1,217; J. W. Sumner, soc., 232; A. J. Houghton, prog., 182; attorney, H. H. Cole, rep., 1,438; C. W. Fristoe, dem., 1,482; assessor, A. H. Wheaton, rep., 1,755; Benjamin F. Rupert, dem., 1,083; engineer, T. J. Wright, rep., 1,499; Guy H. Heberling, dem., 1,364; superintendent, A. C. Jones, rep., 1,523 ; E. A. Wise, dem., 1,372; commissioner, District 1, J. C. Syfford, rep., 1,835 ; W. H. Cook, soc., 1,372 ; commissioner, Dis- trict 2, G. E. Finn, rep., 1,146; E. J. Ward, dem., 1,228; W. B. Mathews, soc., 210: G. W. Wilgus, prog., 339; commissioner, District 3, Joseph Gerards, rep., 1,142; J. B. Clements, dem., 1,424 ; I. N. Newkirk, soc., 243.
ELECTION OF 1916.
With this election we reach another Presidential year, in the very midst of the great war, on the verge of which our own nation was standing. Never perhaps, unless in the elections of Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, has there been so momentous an election. The state of Washington demonstrated anew her inde- pendence. For though normally republican on national issues by 60,000 major- ity, she cast her choice for Wilson, with other western states, also normally of the same political fealty, insuring another term for the man to whom the war- torn people of Europe seem now to be turning more than to any other for determining the principles of just and lasting peace.
Benton County, however, like the rest of the valley, still adhered to its old allegiance. The highest elector on each ticket received the following vote: Republican 1,460, democrat 1,351, socialist 342, prohibition 53, socialist labor 5. The results for United States senator gave Miles Poindexter 1,802 to 982 for George Turner. It had been a battle royal between these two great Spokane politicians, men perhaps without equals in the state for political ability and experience. The outcome demonstrated, as in previous elections, the almost uncanny ability of the republican candidate for reading correctly the signs of the political barometer and shaping his course accordingly. His vote in the state was nearly in the same proportion as in Benton County, for he had 66,948 plurality over Turner. The results of the election for congressman in the fourth district were on a parallel with those for senator. W. L. La Follette was re- elected by 1,812 to 917 for Charles Masterson, dem., and 313 for Walter Pine, socialist. The contest for the gubernatorial chair was as pronounced as for the presidency. Here, however, Benton County reversed itself and followed the rest of the state in a pronounced majority for the democratic candidate, Ernest Lister, 1,561 to 1,332 for his republican opponent, Henry McBride.
Another marked feature of the election of 1916 was the result of a deter- mined, as well as unscrupulous, campaign on the part of the liquor forces to nullify the prohibition amendment of 1914. The several initiative measures framed with that end in view were overwhelmingly defeated. Benton County and the valley in general were almost unanimous against these measures.
Reaching the legislative choices we find the senator from the fifteenth dis- trict to be D. V. Morthland, rep., chosen by 1,577 votes, to 1,045 for H. C. Davis, dem., and 316 for J. W. Martin, soc. Representative for District 58 was Gordon
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
C. Moores with 1,766 to 865 for J. B. Clements, dem., and 338 for I. N. New- kirk, soc.
The election for local officers resulted in the election of C. E. Duffy for sheriff with 1,879 votes ; E. A. Ferrell, 894; and I. W. Sumner, 334 ; respectively rep., dem. and Soc. The other offices we group as follows, naming in the order of rep., dem. and if more than two, soc .: Clerk, W. C. Delle, 2,083, J. C. Mathews, soc., 308; auditor, J. C. Syfford, 1,990; treasurer, J. C. McClellan, 1,393, H. S. Huntington, 1,397, the closest election in the county history ; attorney, Andrew Brown, 1,370, C. W. Fristoe, 1,505; assessor, A. H. Wheaton, 1,967 ; superintendent, Mrs. Lowa M. Crawford, 1,705, E. A. Wise, 1,239; engineer, Guy M. Heterling, 2,083; coroner, C. C. Moffat, 2,034; commissioner first dis- trict, L. L. Bash, 1,617, G. F. Gibson, 987 ; commissioner second district, E. C. Houston, 1,363, A. G. McNeill, 978, D. M. Angus, 643; commissioner District 3, R. E. Pratt 1,723, E. Timmerman 861, John Storland 323.
ELECTION OF 1918.
The progress of events brings us now to the election of 1918, occurring at a time the most extraordinary in many respects in the world's history, marking the sudden and dramatic ending of the most unjust, insane and criminal blow at the world's peace ever known and marking also the complete and irretrievable downfall of the great international highwaymen and pirates of the earth-an outcome whose profounder results we cannot for many months or perhaps years fully appraise or narrate. Suffice it to say that while this book was in prepara- tion. there came a new heaven and a new earth.
One of the enigmatical collateral events contemporary with these stupendous international changes, was the heavy reaction in many states of the congressional elections from democratic to republican majorities. In the choice of congress- man for the fourth district, J. W. Summers, republican, received a vote in this county of 1.190 to 848 for his democratic opponent, W. E. McCroskey. This election was marked also by the last gasp of old John Barleycorn. This final struggle turned on the referendum of the "bone-dry" prohibition law of the legislature of 1917. On account of the national prohibition laws and presidential proclamations, the edge had been taken off from this last campaign, and interest was not keen. Nevertheless the outcome was the sustaining of the law by a large majority. The vote in this county was 947 to 405.
The representative to the legislature for District 58 was Gordon C. Moores, chosen over Lee Ferguson by 1,149 to 970. For sheriff L. C. Rolph had 1,537 to 505 for H. E. Bean. A number of nominees, all republicans, were chosen without opposition. In this list we find Edmond L. Steward for clerk, Kathryn Severyns for auditor, Mrs. Lowa M. Crawford for superintendent and Guy H. Eberling for engineer. For treasurer George Starr with 1,223 votes was chosen over Lloyd E. Huntington with 869. Lon Boyle became attorney with 1,601 to 1.025 for B. T. Rupert. In the first district F. L. Bash was chosen commissioner with 1,175 to 1,002 for Charles L. McGlothlem. In the second district H. M. French became commissioner with 1,345 to 452 for J. W. Whiting. There were no nominations for coroner, and H. M. French was appointed by the commis- sioners to fill the office.
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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
COUNTY SEAT QUESTION.
Usually a county seat fight follows county division, in case there are two or more towns of approximately equal population and advantages. That condi- tion existed in Benton County. Prosser and Kennewick were near enough of a size to have a spirited though healthy and good-tempered rivalry. They repre- sented, moreover, two essentially different sections of the county. Each was the center of a splendid region prospectively, though neither had more than begun development. In this case as in similar cases the adherents of the existing county seat sought to determine the issue by the immediate erection of county buildings. This attempt has been steadily blocked to the present date with the result that the county officers have been subjected to great inconvenience and inadequate quarters. In 1912 the question of a permanent county seat was brought to a vote. It became a triangular conflict between Prosser, Kennewick and Benton City. The last named place was the offspring of an ambitious effort to locate a point apparently more central than either of the two chief towns of the county. This effort had the backing of the O .- W. Railroad and Navigation Company, and on the face of it, the new location seemed to fulfill the call for an official center corresponding to the geographical.
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