The West Side Democrat. (Enid, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 6, 1894 Page: 1 of 4
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VOLUME 1.
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/7 7.V,/sr;rn i very Tuesday.
EMI), COUXTY 0, OKLAHOMA, TUESDAY, MARCH <>, 181U
ti.25 PER YEAR
.A UMBER 20
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On the Situation—No Chance
For Single Statehood
The Wheeler Bill May Pass-
A correspondent of tho Democrat
called upon Hon. Sidney Clarke, at
Washington last week, and asked for
an expicssion of his views 011 the pres-
ent status of the statehood question
before congress, and also in regard to
the warfare that is being made upon
him by some of tliu organs of the terri-
torial administration. Our correspon-
dent found Mr. Clarke exceedingly
busy in pressing' tlie statehood bill
upon the attention of ; enators and
members of congress. He has already,
in connection with his associates,
Messrs. Asp, Ilornbeek and Mr Adams,
had a full hearing before the sennte
committee on territories, and had
just concluded an elaborate argument
ti present to the house committee.
"I do not care to sny much," said
Mr. Clarke, "about the little personal
warfare the Press Gazette and the
Guthrie Leader are making upon me.
The statehood movement is too impor-
tant to the commercial, business and
educational interests of Oklahoma to
be dragged down to the level of a per-
sonal controversy with a little batch of
territorial officials, and others, who
are feeding at the "pie-counter," and
who are in mortal fear that their ra-
tions will be cut off by the admission
of Oklahoma as a state. Nobody here
(.v in the territory can possibly be de-
ceived by the noise and bluster and
ill-temper of the official organs. The
little clique are all opposed to state-
hood upon any terms or conditions, but
the people of the territory are for it
with great unanimity. My corres-
pondence is extensive from all parts of
the territory, and everywhere the peo-
ple are praying for the passage of an
enabling act at this session of congress.
A territory is a political orphan, It
has no proper place in our system of
government. In a majority of cases,
and under all administrations, the ter-
ritories have been made a sort of
dumping ground for incompetent office
seekers. In Oklahoma we have some
excellent men in the territorial offices,
but the incompetents are in the major-
ity and this avarice is always at the
front."
"What are the prospects for the
passage of a statehood bill this ses-
sion ?"
"That is a hard question to answer
at this stage of the session. I am in-
clined to think, however, thut all the
remaining territories will be admitted
before the adjournment. But the ac-
tion will not lie taken on a party basis.
In the present status of political
affairs it is impossible to forecast what
the polities of the proposed states will
be. If the territories are not admitted
this session, it will be because the gold
party in eon gross fear the advent of
eight senators from the now states who
will force the freo coinage of silver.
There is 110 difference in congress be-
tween the administration leaders and
the eastern republicans. They are all
committed to the single gold standard,
and do not take kindly to the idea of
the freo coinage sentiment being re-
inforced in the senate.
"What about single statehood for
Oklahoma ?"
•'I am inclined to think that the suc-
cess of our movement for single state-
hood will largely depend upon the re-
sult of the Dawes Commission. As
you know, the Oklahoma and Indian
Territory statehood delegates have
already submitted to the senuto eotn-
mittes 011 territories arguments in
f,.v >r 1 f uniting the two territories into
a singlo state. My associates made
exceedingly able arguments, and were
well received by the committee. Our
ease has also been ably argued before
the house committee 011 territories,and
I am to be heard in favor of amending
the whole bill so as to Include the Five
Tribes in the proprsed state. Hut the
committee is unanimous for the bill as
already reported, and 1 am inclined
to the belief that it will pass the house
with an amendment providing for at-
taching the Indian territory to 1 >kla-
lioma as a final solution of the problem.
Two things may defeat single state-
hood in the senate. Fir. t, A iveom-
mendation against it by the Dawes
commission; and, second, The \U \\-
taken by many senators that tlio Five
Tribes are protected by treaty stipula
tions against being included within
state linos. While this is not my view,
for I am confident that the treaties of
18(ift were a substantial repeal of these
after granted permissions, it i^ the
view taki n by many of the lawyers of
the senate. Should this view be ac-
cepted by a majority. it woo Id l'( iutal
to single statehood, and a Oklahoma
is more populou; than any of the other
territories, she will probably be; ad-
mitted with her present boundaries.
I want to say for myself that while 1
am earnestly in favor of single state-
hood, for reasons 1 liavo often stated to
the people of Oklahoma, and boliovo
it to bo tho best and mo. t practical so-
lution of the condition of affairs that
exist in the Indian Territory, 1 re-
spectfully decline to join in denouncing
those who differ from mt 011 this point,
or to belittle the chara 'ter and re-
sources of our magnificent territory.
It'is known to all intelligent persons
who have followed the historj of the
admission of new states, that Oklahoma
is far in advance in population, .-tilth
and resources, of most of tho territories
that have been admitted. 1 sincerely
hope that the Dawes Commission will
solve the problem in the Indian Terri-
tory in favor of statehood with Okla-
homa. Hut if otherwise, and congress
refuses to strike down the obsolete In-
dian treaties, then it is inevitable that
Oklahoma will be promptly admitted "
When a big rourt or a little court,
a kangaroo court or a justice's court,
reaches that point in judicial cor-
ruption that a decision always goes
against the man who is able to pay
the costs, it is time for outraged jus-
tice to lay in a fresh supply of tar
and feathers.
It is understood that S. H. Brad-
ley will be a candidate for re-elec-
tion as Justice of the Peace, on the
democratic ticket. If lie is lie will
l>e defeated, and he ought to be.
The people have had enough of such
rattle as he. They are tired of him
and his crowd and he will be turned !
down. Nhe democratic party can't!
■ Iford to load its ticket down with |
j his kind oi avoirdtipoise. We must
| have a clean ticket or nothing will
be elected, and the Dkmochat is
tree to say n> w that if the democrac)
of Knid puts up such men as old
Bradley the Democrat will help to
knock him down.
*
Now Ready to Lease—the Gov-
ernor Fixes Rental Value.
Present Occupants Have
Preferred Right.-
the
U. S. SENATOR WM. E. CHANDLER, of New Hampshire.
Minstrel Lays.
Hornbeck, of the Minco Minstrel,
has returned from Washington, D. C.,
where he has been working for single
statehood, and also for the opening of
the Wichita and Comanche reserva-
tions. We clip the following from the
Minstrel:
"All of Mr. Bailey's constituents are
not interested in herds of cattle.
"Sid Clarke and Dennis Flynn are
earning the gooil will and gratitude of
all the people.
"If the Wichita reservation is opened
to settlement it will be on the policy of
allowing the settlers to pay tho price
of the land to tho Indians. Congress
refuses to make an appropriation for
this purpose, but is anxious to settle
the question at once if it can lie clone
without a direct outlaj of money. Let
her come, the lands will be taken:
the settler would as soon pay the In-
dian as to pay congress.
"The Whoeler hill providing for
statehood for Oklahoma alone may lie
considered a sop thrown to republican
members of congress to obtain their
influence in admitting tiie democratic
territories of New Mexico and Arizona.
There are lots of democrats in con-
gress like Buck Kilgoro who object to
doing anything at all, and who would
protest against the second coming of
Christ if proposed in congress, and to
defeat them it will require some repub-
lican votes. The movement to admit
' Oklahoma alone is to offer the republi-
cans at least one of the new states;
' Oklahoma being tho only one that
could go to that party 011 11 vole, of the
| jieople. Utah is now exceedingly
doubtful, and the republicans might
gain two of tlio four by this coinpro-
! misc.
■
Frank Jennings is solid for S. if.
liradley for town justice. Frank
controls some good workers for the
1 old man— but fortunately they can't
vole.
EXPENSES OF STATEHOOD.
In m hist issue we endeavored to
show that tho maintenance of a state
government would not be any more ex-
pensive than our present territorial
form. To substantiate this positicn we
wrote to the state auditors of sewral
of the new states for a statement of
facts as to tho relative expense under
tho territorial form, and give below
replies from the state auditor of Mon-
tana. South Dakota and of a member
of the legislature of the state of Wash-
ington. By a careful study of this cor-
respondence the reader will see that
in each of those new states the popula-
tion and property values have ro-pidly
increased; that the per cent oi levy
for slate purposes is less than under
territorial form, and about one-half
less than the per cent required in Okla-
homa: that more than enough revenue
has been derived from the sale of pub-
lic lands to defray the expense of the
public schools, and to erect and main-
tain the public buildings, which would
be the case in Oklahoma if admitted
to statehood, so as to make the public
lands set apart for our public institu-
tions available.
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
J. E. Hippie, Auditor.
l'ikrre, Feb. 2:i, 1S94.
Editors Democrat,
El lteno, Oklahoma.
Dear Sirs:—Your favor found await-
ing my return from an absence of two
weeks and in reply would say that we
havo no printed matter giving com-
parisons and contrasts of expenses be-
tween territorial and statehood period,
but 1 am of the opinion that circum-
stances being taken into consideration,
the expense during statehood has not
been as great as that during the terri-
torial period. One chief feature of ex-
pense has beon our legislative assem-
blies which in four years have been
four in number. This was necessary
on account of tho provision by the con-
stitution for tho purpose of electing
United States senators 11s well rs the
regular sessions. Another thing, the
membership of tho legislature was in
the beginning outrageously large and
at this time is no doubt much larger
than is necessary, nlthough being but
little larger than the minimum mem-
bership provided by the constitution.
The other branches of the state gov-
ernment are running at a less expense
than formerly, taking into considera-
tion the amount of work and the su]i-
plies required to conduct and maintain
the same.
Any other information desired will
bo cheyfully furnished, if in our power
to furnish it.
Yours i'espeetfully,
J. E. IIIITI.K.
FARMINGTON, Wash., Feb. HI, IH',14.
T. F. Hensloy,
El Ueno, O. T.
Dear Sir:—Your letter of the 10th
inst., to your brother li. has been
referred to mo for au. wcr. which I
very cheerfully do, and compile the
following statistics for you relative to
tho comparative advantages of state-
hood over territorial-hood, and to that
olid, without remarks or comment,
slate as follows:
Area in square miles00,111)4, acres 44,-
7tMi,l(iO. When admitted to tho Union
our state had a population of 240,000,
It has now a population of ubout 400,-
000 showing a handsome Increase in
population since its admission as a
state, and in the year 188!) in the fall
of that year after the assessment had
boon made it showed assessable prop-
erty in the state to the amount of
about *!«. 753,000 and to-day it is more
than double that amount, but to got
exact figures wo would necessarily
have to refer to state officials for same..
Tho county in which we live alone has,
for the past year, as shown by the as-
sessment rolls, over $10,000,000 of as-
sessable property . This is the county
of Whitman and is, of course, above
the average in agricultural value. We
have seen an'immense stride in prop-
erty values since we were admitted,
and the tide of emigration has been
two-fold over any figures in our terri-
torial existence. And further, and
perhaps the greatest source from
which the extra expense, incidental
to statehood, will bo noticed in the
following- statement. We had from
governmental appropriations the fol-
lowing, to-wit:
fur l*ut>ll( llulldiiiu* at Capitol, l&J.OOtl acres
for Slate I'nlverstty purposes iii.Oso
PUBLIC LANDS.
Aches
Agricultural College purposes iid.iKKI
l-'or Seleiitllle Schools. llHI.mil)
l-'or stntiMoid Normal School* lOtl.mHi
l-'or oilier Educational Institutions.. :.mmi.imh>
Our Common School Lands 2.l.">!i,:V3)
So that our expense incident to state-
hood was largely, in fact, more than
fully compensated for, by reason of the
free appropriation by the government
of the public lands above set forth, the
same being the exact figures from the
enabling act of congress passed for the
six states, to-wit: The two Dakotas,
Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Wash-
ington. The above, however, is for
the state of Washington alone, the ap-
propriations being given separately in
the compilation, and it must bo remem-
bered, while of necessity, the expense
of statehood in aty ease is greater
than that of territorial existence.
This, as above staled, is far more
than evened up by tlio appropriations
by tho government.
State admitted Nov. 11,1880, Local
advantages, as to management of the
judicial system, county and state offi-
cials, are also very considerable.
Yours,
II. II. Hutchinson.
THE STATE OF MONTANA,
auditor's office,
A. B. Cook, Auditor.
Editors democrat,
El Reno, Oklahoma.
My Dear Sirs: 1 have your favor of
the 10th inst., und have made up a
statement showing the receipts and ex-
penditures for three years, preceding
and following statehood, and have
given the amount in treasury belonging
to the school fumK You will observe
thut our values have steadily increased.
The state has no debt except a warrant
debt during a portion of the year, and
which is paid to scon a taxes tire re-
ceived. Wishing the good people of
Oklahoma success in their struggle for
statehood, i am,
Faithfully yours,
A. H. Cook,
State Auditor.
PorK M.IIowell.
Statement showing receipts and ex-
penditures for tho three years preced-
ing and following statehood:
Year H'-c'pts, Kxp'se. Ass'inl. Rate
Issll Itrs.lls.ll l;is,(lltl,ihi (fl.'>,(17fl,K71.,VI - 111
WII0,s4U..:r Wi-:,«ll.?2 ♦ls:.,,illKi.stlH.tl7
The Commission's Proposition
The proposition submitted to the
Choctaw and'Chickasaw tribes by the
Dawes commission, which is published
in another column, goes to show that
the commission thoroughly under-land
the situation and recognize the fact
that the Indians are the owners of the
soil and with them, and them alone,
they will have to deal. Tho proposi-
tion is substantially to divide the land
of these tribes equally among the mem-
bers of the tribes, ItIO acres to bo in-
alienable for 25 years, with the privi-
lege to sell their surplus lands to tho
white settlers. This is in lino with
with the position taken by the pro-
gressive element of tho Chickasaw
Nation for several years, and, as tho
Democrat said several weeks ago, the
only practical solution of the question.
Wo understand that tlio leading citi-
zens of the Chickasaw Nation are
willing to accept this proposition and
disolve their tribal government.
The proposition provides that they
shall disolve their tribal relations and
accept a territorial form of govern-
ment for the Five Tribes; but it also
provides that tho election franchise
during the existence of such territorial
government shall be confined to those
who are citizens of the nation at tho
present time. In our judgment this
would be more unsatisfactory to the
white settlers than the present condi-
tion and that congress would never
ratify an agreement that would dis-
franchise two hundred thousand Amor-
lean citizens and leave them in an In-
dian government amenable to Indian
laws. It would seem that tho commis-
sioners havo forgotten that they are
representing the interests of American
citizens in the negotiations with the
Five Tribes. They should not allow
their philanthropical feelings for the
poor Indians to prevent them from do-
ing justice to their while brother.
Pimps are all right in their places,
but they make mighty poor jutiictal
timber—even for a kangaroo court.
K-ti *.>-«>sw.ro
Is'.ii :CM.-II a
IMil ;i\rJ,:r«i.liH
Total :'.',\\4«7.0:i tlHUi !is«.:;ti MM,.Mil,7711
li:i..v<l.ltl ♦ 7tl,:t7fl.W4 " 111
Ul,SII7.SK 1111.17.> I •; "
Wl.fklil.ss I :.',:.ti ,.«i 2', 111
Cash in tho State School Funds from
stile of State lands 1107,440.00
-Life.
We, the people of Enid, arc tired of
your court.
Go West!
Won't Let Go-
The territorial superintendent, Rev.
Cameron of this city attended a meet-
ing of the board of trustees of the Nor-
mal school at Edmond he found Rev.
I'arker hiB predecessor in the office of
Superintendent 011 tho ground and
laimlng recognition as a member of
the board. Rev. Parker litis refused to
turn over the office of superintendent
to Rov. Cameron claiming that the
Governor had no right to summarily
dismiss a territorial officer that had
been eon firmed by tho council. Rev.
Cameron will bring a quo warranto
proceeding against Rev. l'arkor which
will bring this question dofore the su-
preme court next month. It is Indeed
strange that Parker would endeavor to
hold onto this oilier under an adminis-
tration that is not in harmony with him-
self after every other territorial official
appointed under Gov. Sony had stepped
down and out. If Rev. Parker lind
wished to retain the respect of the tor-
rotory he would have followed the ox-
ample of Att. Gen. Hrowu and allowed
the Governor to appoint a super-
intendent that was in harmony with
tho administration. His only a ques-
tion of time when l'arkor must let go
the teat.
The Democrat will put a few
chapters of Bradley's history in print
if he is named for town justice.
His Excellency the Governor of Ok-
lahoma, Guthrie, Okia. -Sir: Repre-
sentations have been made to tho de-
partment, by persons holding leases to
school lands in the territory of Okla-
homa, under the provisions of the net
of March 3, 1801,. (2<> U. S. Stat., 1053),
and regulations thereunder, that the
Improvements which they have made
and the labor which they havo expend-
ed on the lands leased by them have so
enhanced the value of tho said hind,
that there is danger that they will
not lie able to complete successfully, at
the leasing, with persons whether
speculators or bona fide settlers, poss-
essing greater financial resources than
t hemselves, and that they will as a con-
sequence, lose t lio product of their ar-
duous labor in improving tlio lands
which will pass into control of persons
having no other right to them than
their ability to offer a larger rental
than the original occupants, who have
brought the land to a condition which
will make them productive in the near
future, lint, from which they have not
as yet, on account of the shortness of
time they have occupied them, been
repaid for their investments and labor.
In view of tlio said representations
which appear to be, and no doubt are.
Substantially true, it is deemed proper
to exercise the discretion reposed in
the department to make suitable regu-
lations in the premises which will at
once protect tho interests of tho school
fund and of the original lessees of the
school lands of the territory, and the
following regulations are, therefore,
prescribed:
1. in the ease of all school lands
heretofore leased and to be re-leased
tho governor of tho territory will fix
the rental at a reasonable rate, neither
excessive nor below tho amount fixed
in tho old lease, and give to tho pres-
ent lessee, provided he has cultivated
the land in a husbandlike manner und
fulfilled the terms of his lease in good
faith, a preference right to re-lease the
land for the additional term of three
years at the rental fixed by the gov-
ernor.
2. In the event that the present
lessee declines or neglects to avail him-
self of the new competitive preference
right given him in articla 1 of these
regulations within a reasonable time,
to be fixed by the governor, the gov-
ernor will proceed to lease tho land to
the highest bidder, under the general
instruction heretofore prescribed.
Very Respectfully,
S. W. Lamoreaux,
Commissioner.
ilradiy was one of the measliest
appointments Gov. Renfrow made in
the Strip. The people will get rid
of him.
k Little Comedy of Errors.
(From Puge 4.
tremulous unci Illegible. * "is'orth waa
obliged to brighten the gas and study
the document oarefully before he su
ceeded in deciphering it as follows:
"New York, Muy Ki, 1*-.
"DF.ar Nina: Yours of the 15th Is at hand. ]
am sorry to hear of your difficulties, but auyln
no position to advise you. Mr. Maynard used
his own discretion In the matter, and his right
t-> do so no one can dispute. That you are dis-
appointed la of course natural; but why you
should foel so despondent In regard to your
future I cannot understand. You were always
overfond of money. 1 have learned from my
own experience that It brings to its possessor
great responsibilities, as well as weariness and
vexation of spirit, and it is a fruitful source of
envylnx and strife. Heyond a modest com-
petence, such as you will possess, it Is not de-
sirable, especially for a woman who has only
mercenary lawyers to look out for her Interests.
Nevertheless, if wealth would bestow upon you
any happiness, I should like to gratify you in
that respect While I live I must retain the
control of my fortune. After I am gone, what
matter to me who has It ? I am anxious only to
wrong no one in what I do. A few years ago I
belloved that I had a niece living -my only sur-
viving relative, Hamilton's daughter—who
ought to be my heir. The most diligent search
has failed, however, to discover her, and I have
at last most reluctantly given up this belief.
There is no one who has a greater claim upon
me than yourself. This olaim I feel inclined at
present to recognize. Charitable bequests I du
not favor. I have given freely to public and
private charltlos during my lifetime, aud have
received but meager thanks. During the Ave
years that you were with me before youi
marriage, you were like a daughter to me.
Thi« I have always remembered kindly.
"My health is slowly Improving with the re-
turn of warmer weather. The bloak spring-
time Is an enemy to my constitution. 1 find
Jenner a faithful attendant in" my declining
yews. My regards to Mr. Maynard and family.
•Yours affectionately,
• Jans Dunkirk"
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Clute, William A. The West Side Democrat. (Enid, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 6, 1894, newspaper, March 6, 1894; Enid, Oklahoma Territory. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc127627/m1/1/: accessed April 18, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.