Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-29
GUTHRIE AS A CITY
az OKLAHOMA MUNICIPALITH IN
THE THROES OF CIVIL STRIFE.

temporary Government which fs Run
ming Things with high Hand-Indig-
uant Citizens Hold a Meeting and
Resolve to Hold New Election and to
Get Rid of the Present Obnoxious on
ciaIs-A Government Oficial's Advice.
WASHINGTON, May 25.-Inspector Peckler
OF the interior department, now in Guthrie,
Oklahoma, has sent a report to Secretary
Noble, under date OF May 1s, on the situa-
ton in that city. In the course OF his re-
port, Inspector Peckler says:
TIE city council OF Guthrie was very
irregularly chosen, to begin with, and as
the people understood, for the purpose OF
merely putting the machinery OF the city in
motion. At the time the council was
chosen, grave responsibilities were forced
upon them, and generally they have as
sumed and settled them in a creditable
manner; they have preserved order, sur.
veved the town, and practically cleared the
streets. In these matters they are com.
zseaded by all. --z-A-
They have, however, assumed other pow
ara and undertaken to act in other matters
ior which they are generally and
VERY EMPHATICALLY CoNDEMNED.
They have appointed an attorney at a |
salary OF $500 per year, and an adviser OF
the council on arbitration at q salary in |
excess of this; board of five arbltrators
on settling the right OF possession to lots,
acme being members OF the council, at $40
per day, charging each contestant SO be-
lore the case could be heard, and returning |
only SO to the party succeeding and keep
Ing the remainder. They have granted, or |
pretended to grant, q franchise for ten \
years to a company to supply the city with |
water. build q bridge across the stream,
graded streets, and in like manner have |
taken steps which the citizens
LOUDLY PROTEST AGAIsNT.
And farther, that they are now collecting /
large taxes; an occupation tax OF IS per
month, survey tax, q recorders tax on
lots, etc.
They have enacted harsh ordinances, for |
the violation OF which there are severe /
penalties. --...
They are recklessly spending money and /
paying officials, and are surveying towns
on lines other than those reco mmended at |
the peoples meeting, in order to have their
own lots included in the site.
Further, it is asserted that members OF
the council are among those who came in
on the Sunday before the 22d and seized
all OF the best lots; and that the city gov
ernment has, in all matters, protected the
interests OF these men. This charge has
been made more emphatic from the fact
that the council has instructed the board
Of arbitration that in considering who is
ENTITLED TO LOTS,
board shall not take into consideration
the time ss to settling as before or after
o'clock, but that settlement. Monday,
April 20, regardless of the hour, entitled
the party to the lots. This the people con-
sidered in direct conflict with the Presidents
proclamation.
A petition was circulated, yesterday.
asking the council to call an election to
divide the city into wards and to make a
registry OF voters and asking that an elec-
ton be held. Monday, the 9th OF May.
Everybody, practically, signed it. indie.
pendent OF this petition, the citizens held a
large mass meeting last evening. They
were very much in earnest and very deter.
mined. After speeches by different persons
they passed q resolution ousting the mayor
and city council, and appointed q commit
tee to 80 notify them; and also resolu-
tion appointing q committee OF seven to
CALL A CITY ELECTION,
ignoring the present mayor and council.
The Inspector then states there were loud
calls for his views; that he took the stand
and told them that, in his judgment, it
was mistake not to petition the mayor
and council to call an election, as it would
most likely result in two conflicting city
governments; that they were entitled to a
speedy election, to q sworn statement from
the present council as to all moneys
collected or paid out; that the
incoming administration should limit
the fees OF all officers, and
that the boards should be economical,
and should be very careful in regard to the
granting to individuals OF the valuable
frauches of the city withoutdu considera-
ton, and that, after heated discussion, a
motion was made to reconsider, and was
carried and committee appointed to
present petitions to the mayor requesting
him to call new election. The meeting
then adjourned in good bumor.