The Weekly Chieftain. (Vinita, Okla.), Vol. 29, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, March 29, 1912 Page: 1 of 8
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VOL. XXIX.
VINITA CRAIG COUNTY. OKLAHOMA MARCH 29. 19 12
ROUT OF TAFT
ft STAND PUT JOLT
(By Winfield Jones.)
Special to The Chieftain.
Washington March 27. The rout of
President Taft in the North Dakota pri-
maries was a severe jolt to his man-
agers in Washington and even they
privately believe that the result proves
'that Taft cannot be elected if he is
nominated at the Chicago convention.
Roosevelt managers here emphasize
this idea' and about the headquarters
of the democratic presidential candi-
dates emphasis also is given it. The
fact that on the basis of the first 11- j
000 votes i. North Dakota from which j
I
reiums wn imu x..ucm
about one in forty was the subject of
much felicitation among the demo-;
cratic leaders about the headquarters
and at the capitol.
Naturally democratic asseverations
were fervent that it wuold be good
fortune for the democratic party if
the president's renomination was forc-
ed on the public by Manager McKin-
ley and his lieutenants.
At the Roosevelt headquarters there
i3 frank admission that La Follette car-
ried North Dakota but whatever dis-
appointment might be felt because of
this was completely over-shadowed by
the feeling that the lesson of North
Dakotaas to the weakness of Presi-
dent Taft with the rank and file of
his party would not be lost on the vot-
ers from this time forth and that it
would not be lost on the Chicago con-
vention. "Is it possible" asked the Roose-
velt leaders that the republican party
with the North Dakota result before
it and the utter' weakness of the pres-
ident disclosed is going to Chicago
next June and nominate a man who
will drag the party down to certain
defeat?"
The weakness of President Taft it
is pointed 6iit by Senator Dixon and
by Ormsby McIIarg as 'revealed In
North Dakota extends to many other
states. In Montana it is said Presi-
dent Taft has even less strength than
In North Dakota. In Washington he
is as weak. So also in Oregon. Like-
wise in practically all the border
states. Mr. Taft has a tremendous
tide of opposition from republicans of
all factions and varieties.
The repudiation of President Taft
in North Dakota can best be inter-
preted when 't is recalled that in 1896
that state next to Pennsylvania gave
the highest pro rata part of its vote to
the republican party. In 1900 only 33
per cent of the people voted the dem-
ocratic ticket. In 1908 President Taft
carried the state by a substantial ma-
jority. In other words President Taft
has been utterly repudiated in a rock-
ribbed republican state. It is not a
democratic state or a doubtful state
considered in the light of presidential
elections since 1896.
It i pointed out that if states like
Oregon Nebraska Wisconsin and
New Jersey which have presidential
primaries by their returns later' on
emphasize the weakness of President
Taft even fractionally as much as the
North Dakota outcome has emphasized
it his candidacy will have been made
impossible. There will be nothing to
it then but Roosevelt.
The only factors in the North Da-
kota contest were La Follette and
Roosevelt. La Follette. won easily
but the Roosevelt forces made a good
showing considering the fact that La
Follette visited the field in person and
made a personal appeal to the voters
amd considering the fact the Roosevelt
forces have by no means made the
' effort that has been made by the La
Follette leaders in this state.
Is it not conceivabe that the Taft
managers believe the republican party
with President Ta.ft at the head of it
can carry a state like North Dakota
in the face of such a scathing rebuke
of the administration? The republi-
can leaders do not seriously expect
Mr. Taft if he should get the nomina-
tion to carry North Dakota in the
election. And if this is the sentiment
in North Dakota is it conceivable that
the same opinion does not obtain wide-
ly in other states of the west and
northwest and along the northern bor-
der? In the light of the North Dakota re-
turns it is easy to understand the
subterfuges the Taft leaders are re-
sorting to prevent a primary where
they can. There need be no further
argument as to why the Taft forces
don't want to let the people decide
their case. No wonder the adminis-
tration throws up its hands in horror
at the notion of letting the people rule
in the matter of presidential nomina-
tions. The real reason that the standpat
republicans are determined to join
through the nomination of Taft if pos-
sible is the desire to keep a grip on
the organization evenif Taft after
nomination 's "licked to a frazzle" in
November.
BILL MURRAY .
WILL BE PRESEHT
The
Sage of Tishomingo
His Ideas on the
Chairmanship.
Expresses
State
Oklahoma City March 27.-W. H.
Murray of Tishomingo was in the city
Saturday and discussed the selection
f a successor to Fred P. Branson of
Muskogee who will tender his resigna-
tion as state chairman to the state
democratic central committee when
that body meets April 6.
It is understood that Mr. Murray
favors D. H. Linebaugh of Atoka for
the place. Linebaugh was permanent
chairman of the democratic state con-
vention at this place and was a leader
of the Wilson forces prior to the state
convention. He was here Saturday
and was in conference with Mr. Mur-
ray and a number of friends. He is
not a member of the committee but
that body is not restricted to its own
membership in the selection of a state
chairman although an informal rule to
that effect has been followed. In an
interview on the subject of the chair-
manship Mr. Murray did not mention
the name of any candidate he favors.
He said :
"Yes I am interested intensely in-
terested not in the personnel of any
candidate but in subserving what I
regard to be a wholesome policy for
the party's future welfare. In view
of the probable success of the demo-
cratic ticket nationally we cannot af
ford to duplicate the republican ma
chinery by having our organization con
trolled by appointtes and 'pie wumps.'
It is therefore necessary in the future
that in organizing the party that com-
mitteemen and the chairman shall
hold no office either state or federal.
"Secondly I believe that the chair-
man and secretary and the committee
which conducts the campaign shall do
nothing directly or indirectly in favor
of or against any candidate in the pri
mary and that they will withhold the
expression of their personal choice
until they go Into the booth at the bal-
lot box; that they will regard them-
selves as directed to elect the ticket
when nominated but not to nominate
leaving that entirely with the demo-
crats. A chairman or secretary who
exercises his power in the interest of
a given candidate can do infinite mis-
chief to an opposing candidate as well
as an equal amount of benefit to the
candidate he favors.
"If this policy should be adopted for
the future all would be indifferent as
to whc?se friend the actual chairman
and secretary might be. -My opinion
is that the election laws should pro-
hibit the exercise of -the duties of the
chairman and secretary by any state
or federal officer by all parties of-the
state.
"With a view of subserving this
policy I shall be at the committee
meeting Aprils 6. This policy is so
thoroughly right that it occurs to me
that every candidate fpr congress at
large and in the several districts as
well as the candidates for United
States senator should be interested in
its success."
INDIAN MAID FOUND.
Muskogee Okla. March 26. Jennie
Maher a 13-year-old Indian girl who
mysteriously disappeared from her
home here Sunday night was located
at Vinita yesterday. She eloped with
Robert Lefew and they were married
at Vinita Lefew giving the girl's age
at 18.
James Maher the father sloday
swore out a warrant for Lefew and
will prosecute him on a statutory
charge. The laws of Oklahoma do
not recognize the marriage to. a girl
under 16 as legal.
A Birthday Party.
Little Louise Smith daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. F. M. Smith gave a very de-
lightful birthday party to a large num-
ber of her little friends last night.
From 7 to 9 a jolly crowd of children
were entertained with games after
which refreshments were served and
the bunch of happy children departed
for their homes. .
COL ROOSEVELT
TAKES BRYAN AND
CLOTHES
Washington March 23. Declaring
that Theodore Roosevelt in his recent
attack upon President Taft incorporat-
ed in his platform those principles ad-
vocated by him in the sixty-first con-
gress second session and that the
colonel's whole platform is incorporat-
ed in the document entitled "The Dem-
ocratic Federation" which was made
a part of the senate record Senator.
Owen today said:
"I am delighted to see Colonel
Roosevelt standing up manfully for
the initiative referendum and recall
the corrupt practices act an dthe safe-'
guarded primary system and declar-
ing in favor of the proposition 'Shall
the People Rule?'
"The colonel's whole program may
be found in senate document 649
sixty-first congress second session
page 26 entitled 'The Democratic Fed-
eration' a document which I prepared
and which was incorporated in the
senate record June 23 1910.
"A distinguished statesman has said
that a true democrat is one who be-
lieves in the rule of the people and
that a republican a standpat republi-
"an is one who believes in the rule
of the people when it does tot inter-
fere with his special interest and
that a federalist is one who funda
mentally and at heart believed in the
rule of the few on the personal con-
viction that the people could not be
trusted.
"Mr. Roosevelt has convicted the
president of the United States of lin-
ing a federalist.
"Roosevelt has adopted the funda-
mental doctrines of the democracy
and is trying to lead the people of the
nation by seizing a democratic flag
and waving it vigorously as a republi-
can standard.
"The democratic national platform
long ago declared for the people's rule
for direct legislation and for the cor-
rupt practices act.
"I feel a lively satisfaction in Mr.
Roosevelt's speech as for some years
I have been making it my business to
try to convert him to these doctrines
believing that he would render great
service to the couse of fundamental
democracy. I am not one of those
democrats who like to See the republi-
can leaders make mistakes in order
that we "may criticize them. I am a
believer in fundamental democracy
and I rejoice to see converts to these
doctrines even if they do v appear
among the republican leaders."
Brooks President of University.
Word has been received from Bos-
ton -that Dr. Stratt'on D. Brooks super-
intendent of schools in the Hub city
has refused a six year contract for the
same position and definitely accepted
the presidency' of the University of
Oklahoma tendered him last Week by
the state board of education. The
board of education and the people of
Oklahoma are to be congratulated on
their selection of am an so able and
noted in the educational field for pres-
ident of the state's leading educational
institution. Bom in the west and
educated in the north and east Dr.
Brooks hag had an 'opportunity to se-
cure the broadest possible experience
and is necessarily a man whose hori-
zon cannot be limited by sectional
views or prejudices. His rapid rise to
a leading place among the educators
of the country his brilliant success as
superintendent of the Boston schools
and his reputation as an author editor
and public speaker all unite to attest
his bigness and ability and forecast
a great future for the university under
his direction. Mr. Brooks will arrive
in Oklahoma about May 1st.
Oklahoma Teacher Complimented.
The recent report of the state in-
spector of high schools contained a
summary of the work done by J. L.
Highsaw of the Yukon schools which
was a direct compliment to his ability
and showed the manner of training
and fitness of high school instructors
who are graduated from the state uni-
versity. Among other things the in-
spector said "Superintendent High-
shaw of Yukon has made a remarkable
record in his "year's work raising
Yukon from an unrecognized school to
a fully equipped regularly accredited
four year high school." Ma High-
shaw graduated from the s.ate uni-
versity Jast spring andls one of the
maney products of the institution mak-
ing good as principals and' superin-
tendents in the high schools of Oklahoma.
COL. ROOSEVELT
WILL BEAT TAFT
(By Winfield Jones.)
Special to. The Chieftain.
Washington D. C. March 2S. If the
republicans would stand the best
chance of winning the presidency at
the polls next November they will cer-
tainly nominate Roosevelt instead of
Taft.
Roosevelt would have. a chance of
carrying the country against the dem-
ocrats while Taft wouldn't stand any
show against any man the democrats
could nominate. Even in Taft's own
state Ohio the president could not
carry the election at the polls espec-
ially if Harmon is the democratic
nominee. The situation portends dis-
aster to the republicans if Taft is
nominated.
In only 23 of the 48 states is the ad-
ministration in republican hands. The
states with republican governors and
the electoral votes of these states are:
California 13; Kansas 10; Michigan
13; Missouri. 14; New Hampshire 4;
Nebraska 8; South Dakota 5; Ten-
nessee 12;' Washington 7; West Vir-
ginia S; Wisconsin 13; Wyoming 3;
New Mexico. 3; Illinois 29; Iowa 13;
Maryland 8; Minnesota 12; Nevada
3; Utah 4; Delaware 3; Pennsylvania
38; Rhode Island 5; Vermont 4. Total
234.
In the electoral college there will be
331 votes making 266 necessary to
elct. If the republicans can hold the
states in which they now have the
governorships they will need only 52
additional votes in the electoral col-
lege to carry the election." Under nor-
mal conditions the republicans would
be expected to carry all of these states
with the exception of Tennessee and
Maryland both of which are noianally
democratic. These two states possess
20 votes in the electoral college. But
this is not a normal year for the re-
publicans. Republican governors of
12 of these states with 112 electoral
votes have openly declared that Taft
cannot carry their states. These gov-
ernors are:. Johnson California;
Stubbs Kansas; 06born Michigan;
Hadley Missouri; Bass New Hamp-
shire; Aldrich Nebraska; Vessel
South Dakota; Hooper Tennessee;
Hay Washington; Glasscock West
Virginia; McGovern Wisconsin; Carey
Wyoming.
Governors of six of the republican
states with 69 electoral votes have ex-
pressed doubt that Taft can carry their
states. They are: Deneen Illinois;
Carroll Iowa; " Goldsborough Mary-
land; Eberhart Minnesota; Oddie Ne-
vada; Spry Utah.
Governors of nine states California
Kansas Michigan Missouri Nebras-
ka New Hampshire South Dakota
Wyoming and West Virginia are
avowed Roosevelt men. In every one
o fthese states there is an overwhelm-
ing opposition to Taft. That's the
principal reason the governors are
against his renomination.
This means that the minute Taft is
nominated there will be 18 republican
sates with 1 81 electoral votes placed
in the doubtful column.
Republican voters in these states
are overwhelmingly in favor of Roosft
velt hostile to Taft and if Taft is
nominated there Is the strongest prob-
ability that the vote cannot be gotten
out which will mean that democrats
will carry most of these states. This
is especially true in Kansas West Vir-
ginia Nebraska Missouri and South
Dakota.
If Roosevelt is nominated he could
certainly carry more of the 23 republi-
can states than Taftv excepting Mary-
land and Tennessee. If he could carry
all of the republican states except
Maryland and Tennessee he would
start with 214 electoral votes. He
would then need only 32 additional
electoral votes a total of 266 to win.
Taft lost Nebraska and Colorado in
1908 but Roosevelt carried these
states in 1904.
Roosevelt would have to carry the
states which now have republican ad-
ministrations except Tennessee and
Maryland and in addition only Maine
and Massachusetts which invariably
go republican . in national elections
though Maine is now democratic. No
republican leader doubts that Roose-
velt would have a far better chance
in carrying these states than Taft. In
some of these states the hospitality to
Taft is such that many republicans
would rather see a democratic presi-
dent than vote for the present occu-
pant of the White House.
On the other hand if Taft is the
nominee the democrats ought to win
hands down. All of the western states
which now have democratic adminis-
trations will be safely in the demo-
cratic column if the Chicago conven-
tion declares Taft the nominee. Even
Taft's own state of Ohio will he in
the doubtful column.
OSCAR UNDERWOOD
INTERESTS' CHOICE
New York March 27. (Special.)
When Wiliam Rockefeller brother of
John D. and the real active directing
and financial head of Standard Oil de-
clared in favor of the nomination of
Oscar W. Underwood as the demo-
cratic nominee for t!.-j presidency
there was little surprise in political
circles. That the active and militant
h 'ad of tho otandard Oil trust should
express his preference for Mr. Under-
wood was In the nature of the very
fitness of things. It harmonizes with
the known attitude of other equally
great captains of industry and for
the directing chieftain of the greatest
of all the monopolies in the history
of the world to give his endorsement
to Mr. Underwood came along in the
natural course of events anticipated.
The genial and courteous young leader
of the democrats of the house Is the
choice of all the interests that rely
upon the policy of non-interference
with big business for fair weather .and
smooth sailing.
Mr. Rockefeller is a lifelong member
of the republican party who has never
voted for a democrat but this fact did
not embarrass him in the least in de-
claring that Mr. Underwood is his
choice above all others for the presi-
dency of the United States. Mr. Rock-
efeller's declaration In favor of the
Alabamian was no haphazard remark
but was furnished to the Associated
Press and carried by wire to its thou-
sands of clients In every state in the
Union. The Associated Press telegram
which better than anything else re-
veals the true Underwood candidacy
is given herewith:
"Savannah Ga March 3. William
Rockefeller in an interview today
stated that of the men most promi-
nently mentioned for the presidential
nomination either democratic or re-
publican he favored Majority Leader
Underwood of the house or representa-
tives. His second choice is President
Taft. -
"He declared that former President
Roosevelt is a 'foe to good govern-
ment and a 'dangerous man' "
Think of the democratic party nomi-
nating a man put forward by Standard
Oil which holds him up to the nation
as a more desirable occupant of the
White House than Taft himself. Stan-
dard Oil and other big business is
certain of the renomination of Presi-
dent Taft and this element is now
struggling to control enough stattj del-
egations to the Baltimore convention
to nominate a candidate who will be
equally desirable. Big business is
lighting in every part of the country
for control of the democratic party in
the hope of defeating the nomination
of a real progressive at Baltimore. As
is disclosed by Mr. Rockefeller the
Alabama congressman meets the un-
qualified approval of that element.
It is a natural deduction that the
candidacy of Mr. Underwood typifies
the Standard Oil company's conception
of good government which In the last
analysis is "Let us and our affairs
alone." Under that policy the Stand-
ord Oil company has flourished like
the green bay tree. Mr. Underwood
may not relish the adulation of Mr.
Rockefeller at this particular moment
but his well-established views on pub-
lic questions have prepared the way
for the compliment conveyed by the
Big Chief of Big Business.
Fullbloods Get Notice.
Fort Gibson Okla. March 23.-
Three thousand circulars printed in
the Cherokee language have just come
off the press in the New Era office.
They explain the conditions of the
Cherokee per capita payment which
will be made about April 1 and will
be made about April 1 and will be -lis
tributed among the fullbloods. The
translation and the setting of tho Cher-
okee type was done by John L.
Springston a well known Cherokee of
Vian who was the official printer on
the old Cherokee Advocate.
Cherokee Payment.
The Cherokee payment at this place
will be made perhaps next week from
the office of Indian Agent Major Cusey
The checks will be delivered to the
noon-restricted Cherokee first after
which the fullblood3 will be paid.
SHOT 01 REAR
Another Murder Aided to Sequoyah
County's Long List of
Crimes.
Sa.lisaw Okla. March 23. Without
a word of warning or t jvpUiialion
Snowden Sanders a well known citi-
zen of this town about midnight Sun
day walked up behind Ben MrKinnon
placed a shotgun to the back of his
head and pulled the trigger the shot
killing McKinnon instantly. Trouble
between the parties some time ago is
the only explanation advanced for the
shooting. jvseRinnon was talking to
friends when killed.
Sanders was arrested and placed in
jail and later Eulys Sanders his
brother was taken into custody charg-
ed with being an accessory to the
crime.
McKinnon's relatives in Missouri
end Indiana have been notified of his
death.
The killing adds to the already long
list of murders in Sequoyah county
and the frequency of these crimes to-
gether with the large number of ac-
quittals of those charged with them
has caused the spread of a wave of
Indignation over the county. It free
ly is admitted that conditions at the
present time are worse than at any
time during the past twenty years.
CASH FOR IIIAliS
ABOUT APRIL FIRST
"Money for the Indians goes to the
Indians this time."
This is the substance of a new and
significant announcement from the
Union agency at Muskogee regarding
the forthcoming payment to Chero-
kees.
The payment will be to the parents
for themselves and for their children
if they are the ones who feed the child
ren; if someone else is feeding the
children the money will be paid to
those persons. This announcement
will to a large extent eliminate the
guardians from the payment thi3
spring unless such guardians actually
maintain the wards.
This payment to Cherokees will be
gin immediately after April 1 but the
exact dates are not yet available.
In the case of unrestricted Indians
all Cherokees up to half-bloods ap
plications will be sent In blank to the
intended beneficiaries who are to fill
them and send tbem to the agency at
Muskogee. The checks will be mailed
to the beneficiaries at their nearest
postoffices. In cases where these In-
dians have children payments for
children will be made to the parents
rather than guardians.
For restricted Indians above half-
bloods there will be paying stations
a chief one being Tulsa. Representa-
tives of the agency will be stationed
for the purpose of paying these In-
dians. Be Careful of Your Money.
When life is full of health and glee
Then work as busy as a bee!
And take this gentle hint from me
Be careful of your money!
You'll find it true that friends are few
When you are short of money.
The single grain cast in the mold
May spring and give a hundred fold;
More precious than its weight in gold-
Be careful of your money!
The grain you bow to stacks may grow
If careful of your money.
But do not shut sweet mercy's doors
When sorrow pleads or want implores;
To help to heal misfortune's sores
Be careful of your money!
To help the poor who seek your door
Be careful of your money.
Selected.
Like Rip Van Winkle.
Jim Hall arrived .from his Texas
ranch last night after an ei&iu mous
stay on the range looking hirsuit and
shaggy as "a mountaineer. Mr. Hall
vowed when he left Vinita last August
that he would never shave again until
he saw Vinita and has kept his wwl
and his patriarchal whiskers are so be-
coming his friends are urging him to
continue to wear tlem.
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Marrs, D. M. The Weekly Chieftain. (Vinita, Okla.), Vol. 29, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, March 29, 1912, newspaper, March 29, 1912; Vinita, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc772599/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.