The Norman Democrat-Topic (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 1913 Page: 1 of 4
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The Norman Democrat-Topic
OFFICIAL PAPER OK CLEVELAND COUNTY AND CITY OF NORMAN
VOLUME 24.
NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1913.
NUMBER THIRTY ONE.
EDITOR BURKE GIVES THE
SQUAWK.
EDWARDS WRITES LINDSAY.
The rabid attacks of Postmaster- ,
Editor J J Burke on the mayor, city
councilmen and Engineer JimKling-1
lesmith in his free daily the past tew
days relative to the paving ordinance
passed by the city council last Thurs- j
day night is uncalled for from every
viewpoint. The paving district in
question is number 17, comprising one
block on West Main Street, where
Editor Burke lives. Last spring the
property owners in this district pe-
titioned the council for paving and
the petition was granted and the con-
tract let to the Cleveland-Trinidad
Paving Company. The paving was
completed and on July 8, the job was
accepted by the council, appraisers j
appointed to assess the lots and reso-
lutions published for two weeks
notifying the property owners to ap-
pear on the night of July 24. to make
protests.
Neither Mr. Burke nor any other
property owner was present: neither
did Mr. Burke or any other property
owner ask or intimate to any member
of the council that the paving ordin-
ance for this district be held up. If
Mr. fturke made promises in getting
signers to his petition last spring that
there would be no payments until
1914 he should have told the mem-
bers of the council and the contrac-
tors what he had promised. That he
was neglectful and careless goes
without saying, and now he is pour-
ing out his venom on the mayor and
council for something that he alone
was resptpnsible for.
Mayor Oliver and the councilmen
were never asked to delay the passing
of the assessing ordinances.
Councilman H. G. Lindsay pays a
paving tax in this district and he vot-
ed for the assessing ordinances.
In district 15, Councilman Clifton
is one of the heaviest paving tax pay-
ers and he voted for the assessing or-
dinances.
Now as a matter of fact, Burke
made promises to his neighbors and
failed to turn his hand or lift his
voice to carry out his promises. In
one instance he promised a certain
property owner in district 17. if he
would sign the petition asking for
paving that he (Burke) would assist
in getting him the job of street sweep-
ing at $100 a month. It is a well
known fact that Mr. Burke never
made the least effort to make his
street sweeping promise good
Wt Icre4 auie that the city council
would have omitted the assessing
ordinance in district 17 if they had
known the promises that had been
made.
The trouble is Mr. Burke is so
overwhelmed with so many high and
low price jobs that he overlooked his
many promises.
Norman city officials are men of
the highest integrity and their official
and private records are above re-
proach. The howling and squawking
of Editor Burke who is sorely vexed
because he has to pay will not deter
the city officials from performing
their duties.
CHILD SCALDED.
The two year old son of Mr. and
Mrs. Carson Bank's was severely
scalded last Sunday morning. Mrs.
Banks was scalding a chicken when
the little lad climbed on a chair to
watch her. He became overbalanced
and in falling upset the vessel con-
taining the h*ot water and fell on the
floor. He was scalded from his head
to his hips. While he is getting along
nicely he is not completely out of
danger.
The Norman Motor Car Company
moved into their new brick quarters
recently constructed by C. 1) Ad-
kins. This company handles the bes
make of cars and deserves the patron-
age of the local people.
Los Angeles, Cal . July 21, 1^13
Mr. Harry Lindsay,
Norman, Oklahoma.
My Dear Friend Harry:
I am always thinking of Norman
and my friends there. Although I
am far away toward the setting sun,
and niy eyes see lovely flowers, love
ly beyond the power of description,
and the sea fanned into motion by
the balmy breeze and the waves tip-
ped here and there with white caps,
ijiakes California a magic word that
charms and holds the admiration of
all who see this place.
I did not even speak of golden
fruit that tempts thf inner man. Now
the! bold outlines of .e mountains in
the distance, but all these combined
does not persuade me that there is a
better place than Norman. Norman
the place where we are all so happy
and so poor.
Harry I saw Mr. and Mrs. Hulluni
at Long Beach. Also Dr. A Grant
Evans and family as well as Mrs
Hess, mother of Willard Hess, and
what do you think? Mr Hullum is
now the owner of an automobile,
bought expressly for their short stay
at the beach. Surely the world dot -
move. Mr. Hullum rode me up and
rode me down and rode me all over
town.
Louie Renner is also viewing the
sights in Los Angeles. It looks like
Norman would be a very good place
when we second class passengers all
get away.
Keep the park growing and when
I get back,I will help boost. And try
to attract the eye of the stranger that
comes that way.
When the eastern visitor arrives
in Los Angeles the many land com-
panies who handle real estate takes
them in hand and shows up all the
nice things and talks Los Angeles,
talks flowers, talks climate and tells
all the truth they know and more too.
Norman wants to do more adver-
tising in the way of fixing up old
tumble-down shacks with weeds as
high as the front door, and the win-
dow panes knocked out and the holes
stuffed up with a rag does not appeal
t<> any one to come to Norman to
live. I am glad to say that Norman
does not have many of that kind but
there are a few old remnants stuck
around in the corners and they must
be gotten rid of and I am more than
pleased to see public sentiment arous-
ed to such a pitch that it means the
drones who don't care must go. 1
must quit I beg your pardon now for
this long letter. When you have the
cement work done around the Clem-
ent Fountain don't fail to keep it
covered with sand or a wet cloth for
at least seven days—it will look so
much nicer as it cures more evenly
Give my regards to all enquiring
friends
Yours sincerely.
L. J EDWARDS
A FAMILY REUNION.
A reunion of the Daniel brothers
and sisters, comprising J. M. Daniels
aged 75 years, of Norman. Mrs. Lu-
cinda Watts. 66. of Decatur, Texas.
J. B Daniel. 63. of Pilot Poinf. Texas,
met at Valley View and proceeded to
Mr. J. B. Daniels' home where they
met with 36 relatives who had pre
puared a picnic for the occasion.
After the usual greetings they cir-
cled around a bountiful spread of
good things to eat. A short invoca-
tion by L. R Davis was given and
the relatives proceeded to enjoy
themselves to their heart's content
This was the first reunion of the
Daniels family in fourteen years.
Misses Pearl and Mary Foster ar
rived last Friday from LaFayette.
Indiana, to visit their brother. Jack
Foster and family. The young ladies
left Tuesday afternoon for Edmond
to visit relatives.
Griesmer & Formen
REAL ESTATE
AND LOANS
TO TRADE:
A good 160 acres, well im-
proved, near Thomas, Okla., tq,
trade for Cleveland Co. farm.
A good 160 acres, near Law-
ton, Okla., to trade for Norman
bnsiness property.
GRAND FATHER LAW SUS- !
TAINED.
On Tuesday the state supreme
court in a lengthy opinion written by
Justice R. L. Williams, upholds the
constitutionality of the state law.
known as the grandfather clause.
The case decided was an appeal
from Logan county where in 1910.
Theodore Cofield, a negro 68 years
old, who could neither read nor write
sued the precinct flection board in
the district court presided over by
Judge Huston. Judge Huston sus-
tained the election board in refusing
to allow the negro to vote. Backed
by the republican organization an
appeal was taken to the state su-
preme court which sustains the law.
It is quite certain that the case will
be appealed to the United States su-
preme court.
In the syllabus of the opinion Judge
Williams states: "The whole power
of determining who shall exercise
the right of elective franchise in the
state, whether in respect to the elec-
tion of state or national officers is
with the states themselves, and with
ach state in reference to its own citi-
zens so long as the states do not deny
or abridge such rights on account o?
race, color or previous condition of
servitude."
Attorneys representing the negro
among other things, contended that
the "grandfather" clause was in direct
lation of the federal constitution
and section 3 of the enabling act. but
these contentions are knocked out
under the decision of Judge Williams
who holds that the "grandfather"
clause is not repugnant to either the
fourteenth or fifteenth amendments
to the federal constitution or to sec-
tion 3 of the enabling act, which
states that no distinction shall be
made in the political or civil rights of
any resident of the state on account
of race or color and former condition
of servitude.
The opinion in substance holds that
every state has the right to enact
such legislation rtr constitutional pro-
visions that it may desire to, to de-
termine who shall exercise the right
of suffrage, provided it does not con-
flict with the federal constitution. The
"grandfather" clause, in the opinion
of Judge Williams, simply determines
who shall have the right to vote and
does not make any provisions contr-
ary to any section of the federal con-
stitution or the Oklahoma enabling
act.
"Suffrage is purely a. political right
granted by the sovereign power to
those worthy and competent to par-
ticipate in governmental affairs and
is not of the inalienable rights with
which all men are endowed," says
Judge Williams.
Commenting on the educational
test required under the provisions of
the "grandfather" clause Judge Wil-
liams holds that a white man, though
he be unable to read or write, is by
nature on account of his ancestors,
better qualified to exercise the right
of suffrage, than a negro, who may
be educated and competent to coin-
ply with the educational test.
"Whilst a sovereign state is not
required," says the opinion, "to give
a reason for its granting or withhold-
ing the privilege of suffrage, provided
it does not deny or abridge the same
'on account of race, color or previous
condition of servitude, yet there are
many obvious reasons why it may be
fairly assumed that one whose ances-
tors in former times have taken a
part in the management and conduct
of governmental affairs by the exer-
cise of the right of suffrage is better
qualified to take part in the conduc
of governmental affairs though it be
he cannot read or write, than one who
can read and write, but whose ances
tors at no previous time had taken
any part in the frame work, the con
duct or the preservation of the man-
agement of governmental affairs by
means of the exercise of the right of
suffrage. Can it be said that an as-
sumption that the descendants of an
cestors who were voters, thereby par-
ticipating in governmental affairs, and
necessarily having given thought and
devotion to matters of public con-
cern. have not. to a great extent, in-
herited a love of government and of
country and a capacity for the parti
cipation in such affairs "
ELLEDGE CASE FILED.
Preliminary information was filed,
in the justice court of T. F. Donnell
Monday against George Elledge for
assault on Blanche Schoonover with
intent to kill. George Elledge, Mrs
George Elledge and Everett Elledge
were also charged with felonious as
sault with intent to kill William
Schoonover These cases are the re
suit of the cutting affray two weeks
ago when Elledge attacked the
Schoonovers with a knife, after a
long standing neighborhood quarrel
—Tuesday's Oklahoman.
A
Woman's
Name
Upon it hinges the
political existence
of a popular re-
former, the fate of
the "boss" of a
powerful machine,
the future of his
own son-in-law
and the reputation
of his daughter.
A TELEPHONE
OPERATOR
is the possessor of the
secret. How hard
she tries to be loyal,
how desperately she
fights and how she is
rewarded is most in-
terestingly told in our
new serial —
The Woman
A tlory founded on Wm. C.
de Millt'i famout play of that
name by Albert Hay ton Terhune.
A tale of ten&e. dramatic situa-
tions from beginning to eud.
Don't Miss the First Instalment!
HASKELL FAVORS MINE LAW
REPEAL.
AN APPEAL TO VOTERS.
Oklahoma City. Okla.. July 28, 1913
Shortly after the legislature refer
red the amendment of Section 9,
Article IX, to be voted on by the
people, a committee was appointed by
representatives of several counties
and communities to look after the
campaign, of which the undersigned
were chairman and secretary respec
tively.
We have been unable to conduct an
extensive campaign in behalf of this
amendment, because not one dollar
has been contributed to defray the
expenses, and the small expense that
has been incurred, including the send-
ing out of this letter, has been borne
by the members of the committee
The big roads have taken no interest
in this campaign, and apparently are
indifferent to its success, and in our
judgment, are opposed to its adop-
tion. All statements to the effect that
the railroads were instrufnental in
passing this amendment through the
legislature, or in any way have aided
in securing its adoption, are absolu-
tely untrue. The only assistance that
has been rendered in tavor of the
arrftendment has been through the
kindness of the press and towns and
communities specially interested.
This is purely an economic ques
tion and should be determined by the
voter free from all prejudice. That
domestic railroads cannot be sue
cessfully operated in this state, has
been thoroughly demonstrated; that
there had been little, if any, railroad
building in this state, except the con-
tinuation of roads already started be-
fore statehood; that there can be no
railroad development in this state as
long as Section 9 in its present form
remains in the constitution, has been
demonstrated
We appeal to the citizenship of this
state to settle this question on its
merits.
Yours very truly.
C. B. KENDRICK, Chairman.
W. B. ANTHONY.' Secretary.
GOVERNOR ON VACATION.
Governor Cruce for the second
time during his administration is out
of the state. He left this week for
Colorado Springs, Colorado, to at-
tend the conference of governors.
Lieutenant Governor J J. McAlester
will look after the governor's office
during the absence of the governor,
who expects to be away a couple of
weeks.
BICYCLE RIDERS ARRESTED.
Edgar J. Mayes, night watch, filed
informations against eight persons
charging them with riding on the
sidewalks. Most of these eight have
made satisfactory arrangements with
the police judge
OSCAR BANKS QUITS.
Although his commission would
not expire until today Oscar Banks
who was appointed night watch by
Mayor Oliver for three months hand-
ed in his resignation last Friday after-
noon to take effect at once. Mayor
Oliver put E. J. Mayes on the job
ENLOE APPOINTED.
Mayor B A Enloe of McAlester
was appointed U. S. marshal for the
eastern Oklahoma district last Sat-
urday by President Wilson Mr En-
loe succeeds Grant Victor.
Mrs. M Endicott went to Purcell
Sunday to visit her daughter, Mr,
DeLay and little grand daughter
made its arrival July 21st.
In a letter to President R 1'. Stew-
art of the Oklahoma division of the
United Mine Workers Association,
former Governor C. N Haskell fav-
ors the repeal of the new mining law
enacted by the last legislature The
letter follows
"My Dear Sir
"Replying to your inquiry of re-
cent date, 1 am convinced that sec-
tion 18 of the mining bill is unwork-
able and impracticable and there-
fore ought to be repealed.
"This legislation would require the
miners to attempt to mine coal as
prescribed by law It occurs to me
that the practical coal miner who has
learned by experience the knowledge
of mining and who is skilled and pro
ficient knows best how to do this
work and should be allowed to do so
without interference by law.
"I am of the opinion that this law
would tend to increase the loss of life
in coal mines and increase the cost of
coal to the consumer. An examina-
tion of the law is sufficient to con-
vince any fairminded citizen that a
strict compliance therewith subjects
the miner to additional danger—and
this being true it naturally follows
that more lives will be lost. If the
miner is required to lie down on the
floor of his working place and un-
dercut the coal as deep as required by
this law before firing a coal blast, it
is easy to understand how danger to
both body and health is considerably
increased
"This law increases the amount of
work the miner must do and corres-
pondingly decrease his earning pow
er. How can you, by legislation, de-
crease the selling price of coal by re
duciug the miner's producing power
and at the same time increasing the
cost of production? Such a conclusion
is both illogical and unreasonable
The facts are that instead of cheaper
coal, the consumer will pay more for
his coal. •
"The conservation of our natural
resources is highly important. But
the conservation of tillman life should
be of paramount consideration. I am
for both—but for the conservation of
human life first. But when a law
does neither as in this instance, I am
opposed to it and will vote 'yes' to
repeal it on August 5th.
"Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) "C. N. HASKELL."
CHANGES IN PARCEL POST
On August 15th Postmaster Gener-
al Burleson will put into effect a new-
parcel post rate. Some opposition
headed by Senator Bristow of Kan-
sas is trying to prevent the new rates
going into effect
The postmaster general submitted
his proposed changes to the interstate
commerce commission and they have
given their consent to the following
changes:
"The first zone shall include the
territory within the local delivery of
any office and the first zone rate of
postage will apply to all parcel post
mail deposited at any office for local
delivery or for delivery by city carrier
or on rural routes
"The second zone shall include the
remainder of what is now the first
zone, together with the present sn-
ond zone, and shall include all the
units of area located in whole or in
part within a radius of approximately
150 miles from any given postoffice.
"The rate of postage on parcels
weighing in excess of four ounces i"
the proposed first zone will be re
duced from five cents for the first
pound or fraction thereof, to five
cents for the first pound and one
cent for each additional two pounds
or fraction thereof. The rate for the
proposed second zone will be five
cents for the first pound and one cent
for each additional pound or fraction
thereof
"The maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
11 pounds to 20 pounds, the increase
of weight to apply only to the first
and second zones."
CITY SUED FOR $121,361.57.
DISTRICT COURT NEWS.
Judge McMillan will adjourn court
tomorrow and on Monday will on
vene court in Mufray county
Jessie Paschal was granted a di
vorce from L. C Paschal
A divorce was granted in the case
of Clarke vs. Clarke
Miss Eva Wise was given a judg-
ment against the county for clerical
services
The case of Wallenburg vs !• H
Stubbeman, administrator, was con-
tinued for the term
Nancy J Thomas was granted a
divorce and $2,500 alimony from N
B. Thomas.
On W ednesday U. S Marshal W.
S. Cade served papers on Mayor L. v
Oliver and the city council on a suit
brought in the federal court of the
western district by I P. Mc< ortni. k
and the Parker-Washington Paving
Company, a foreign corporation. The
company claims $71,361.57 due and
asks $50,(XX) punative damages
Recently District Judge McMillan
in a suit brought by a number of
property owners asking for .i per
manful injunction to restrain the
city clerk from collecting the pa\iug
tax in district number 3. handed
down an opinion making the paving
ordinance null and void for the reas
on that only four members of the
council voted for the paving ordin-
ance. The Parker-W ashington com-
pany asked the city ouncil to pass
new ordinances but the council failed
to act hence the suit in the federal
court.
The property owners, through their
attorneys, Dudly and I agleton, will
fight the suit so the city of Norman
will not be liable for any costs in the
suit.
BOZELL RECEIVES COMMIS-
SION
RESOLUTION OF THE CIVIC
LEAGUE.
Be it resolved In the Women's
Civic League of Norman that in view
of the fact that Norman as the I Di-
versity ( ity must be made and kept
attractive and healthful as a resi-
dence place and in view of the fact
that there at present danger of
fever, that we request the mayor and
council and the health officers of
Norman to enforce the ordinances
now in effect and if necessary to pass
and enforce more stringent ordin-
ances requiring all houses Wherever
practicable, to make sewer connec-
tion; that the sewer lines be extend-
ed as rapidly as possible to reach all
streets in the city, and that wherever
such sewer connection cannot be had
that all vaults be required to be
cleaned regularly and that all garb-
age and refuse be burned or remov-
ed at frequent intervals and not ex-
posed.
That we ask the co-operation of all
good citizens of Norman in this
work
MRS. J B. CHEADLE,
President Civic League
MRS. F. (j. MILLER. Secretary
The above has the endorsement of
the churches and societies of Nor
man. Owing to lack of space we
were compelled to omit the names
of the societies, their numbers and
officials
INTERURBAN NEWS.
The money promised by the local
people for the Oklahoma City-Nor-
man interurban has about all been
collected Work would have began
this week only for the differences be-
tween the company and the Moore
authorities. It is thought that the
Moore difficulty will be adjusted by
the company running their line and
putting in a station a block east of
where it now stands
Attorney James A. Cowan was here
from Moore yesterday and informs
us that a satisfactory agreement will
be reached. It is tTiought that work
will begin next week.
Signal Corps Occupy Skating Riu'.i.—
Much Interest Taken
in Work.
Prof. H \ Bozell, of the School of
klectrical Engineering at the Ur.«ver-
sity, h s just received eoiur- ;sion as
' apt a i n of Held ( ompany " \," Sig-
nal I orps. Oklahoma National Guard.
I he Engineer Company or anived
some tinn ago with < apt. Tucker and
I n uts Bozell and Dwight as officers,
has proven a success and shown the
authorities at the capitol that Nor-
man, with the University, can main-
tain high efficiency organizations.
Realizing this, and that the signal
corps work could be handled here
better than any place else in the
Mate, the adjutant general authorized
the organization of a field company
of the signal corps, requesting that
it be officered from the faculty of the
department of electrical engineering.
Prof Bozell was made captain, and
tin- two first lieutenants are L W.
W Morrow, who will be assistant
professor of electrical engineering at
the CDiversity this fall, and David E.
Reushaw, fellow and assistant in elec-
trical engineering. Lieut. Morrow has
had considerable military work at
i ornell.
The work of the signal corps will
be the study of all types of signaling
in use in the army The company
here will be Type D, that is, will con-
sist of two wire telegraph sections
and two wireless telegraph sections.
Besides this work, though, there will
Ik all sorts of visual signaling, rock-
ets, Very pistols, colored lights,
smoke signals, etc. The equipment
of the individuals will be as mounted
troops, armed with revolvers. There
will be 69 enlisted men in the com-
pany. Already more than thirty have
enlisted.
Captain Bozell is very anxious to
bring the enlistment up to the regu-
lation point at once, for it will be im-
possible to get the equipment from
the government until a full enlist-
ment is had. in a new company. When
the equipment comes it will all be
perfectly new and exactly that which
is issued the United States regulars.
The engineer company drills every
Tuesday evening, and the signal corps
does, also, though commencing with
the week of August 11th, the signal
corps will drill on Thursday evening.
The Armory is open on Tuesday
evenings, and Saturday afternoons
and evenings: commencing week after
next, it will also be open Thursday
evenings. Enlistments may be made
at any time, either at the Armory or
by calling any commissioned officer.
Norman may well be proud to be
the location of the two companies
which stand at the top of specialized
work in the state militia, for both of
these companies do technical work
The officers of the engineer com-
pany now are < aptain Tucker, 1st
Lieut. Dwight, 2nd Lieut Frank
Weaver, who will be instructor in
civil engineering this fall at the Uni-
versity
COUNCIL MEETING
The city council met Tuesday ni^ht
with six of the eight members pres-
ent
Ordinance number 216 was passed
J Ml Mootnau was unanimously
elected president of the council.
A committee was appointed to let
the contract for the painting of t! e
standpipe and smoke stack at the
water station. The committee award-
ed the contract to Bert Lyons for
the sum (if $50.00
W. W GWYN ARRESTED.
Deputy Sheriff L P. Barker return-
ed last Saturday from Blair, Jackson
county. Oklahoma, with W. W Gwyri
who i- charged with forging a check
on J \ Wilbanks of McClain county
a year ago. The check was drawn on
the l irst National bank and cashed
by a local merchant Gwyn was ar-
raigned Monday and plead not guilty.
He was bound over to await the ac-
tion of the district court, his bond
being fixed at $1,500
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
L D west, 26, Lexington, and
Miss Lee Welch, 19, Lexington.
Win. W Brooks, 37, Ardmore, and
Frances Belcher, 26, Norman.
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J If It's
LOST—WATCH.
Lost between the M. B Gray farm
and the M I Graves farm east of
Norman on Mondi, night, an open
face, 15 jewel Elgin watch with leath-
er fob containing an Interio paint
sign. Finder please return to M L
Graves or this office. It
Drugs, 'Booi^s, JetOelry,
Wall Taper, Paints or
Glass you Want, you
should call on us. We
guarantee satisfaction.
Mrs. J M Daniels and neice, Mrs
Hannah Lowery, went to Sulphur
last Friday for a few days visit.
|'Barbour's Drug
j & "Book Store
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The Norman Democrat-Topic (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 1913, newspaper, August 1, 1913; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc120203/m1/1/: accessed March 28, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.