The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-26
RUN THE MACHINE
The Booming Town Of Guthrie, in
oklahoma, Fairly on the Road
10 Boodlerism.
A City Council Which Runs Things
After the Latest New York
Style.
Fat Salaries for OmcIaIs with some Pick
ings for the City Fathers The
Peoples Protest.

WASHINGTON, May 25.-Inspector Pick
Ter, of the interior department now in
Guthrie, Oklahoma, has sent a report TO
Secretary Noble, under date of May Is. on
the situation in that city. In the course Of
his report Inspector Plekler says: The
city council of Guthrie was very Irregular
ly chosen to begin with, and as the people
understood for the purpose merely of put
ting the machinery of the city in motion.
AT the time the council was chosen grave
responsibilities were forced upon them,
and generally they have assumed and set
tied them in a creditabie manner. They
nave preserved order, surveyed the town
and practically cleared the streets In these
matters they are commended by all
They have, however, assumed other pow
ers and undertaken ~ act in various mat
ters. for which they are generally and very
emphatically condemned. They have sP-
pointed an attorney at a salary of $500 per
year, and an adviser of the council on ar
bitrauon al a salary in excess of this; also
a BOARD OF aroitratOrs on settling the ugnt
of possession to lots. some being members
of the councII. at $40 per day, charging
each contestant SO before a case could be
heard and returning only SO to the party
succeeding and keeping the re-
matnder. They have granted, OF
pretended to grant, franchise
Tor ten years TO company TO supply the
city with water. build a bridge across the
stream, grade the streets, and in like man.
ner have taken such steps, against which
the citizens loudly protest, and further that
they are nov collecting large taxes. con-
sisting of an occupation tax OF S5 per
month, surveyors tax, recorders tax
on lots, etc. They have enacted harsh or
dlnances, for the violation OF which there
are severe penalties. They are recklessly
spending money IN paying officials and are
surveying towns on lines other than those
recommended att the peoples meeting, in or
der 10 have their own lots. Further, it Is
asserted that the members OF the council
are among those who came in on the Sun
day before the 22d and seized all the best
lots, and that the city council 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 its board Of arbitration that
IN considering who is entitled 70 a lot the
board shall not take into consideration the
time OF settling, as before OF after O'Clock,
but that priority settlement on Monday,
the I'D, regardless of the hour, entitled the
party TO lot This the people considered
IN direct conflict with the presidents proc
lamatiOn.
A petition was circulated yesterday ask
ing the council to csll an election 10 divide
the city into wards and 10 make q registry
of voters, and asking that an election be
held Monday, May y Everybody practi-
cally signed the petiuOn and independent
OF this petition the citizens held a large
mass meeting last evening. They were
very much in earnest and very determined.
After speeches by different persons they
passed a resolution oustiDg the mayor and
city council and appointed a committee tO
notify them, and alsO passed a resolution
appointing committee OF seven 20 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 IL was
mistake to not petition the mayor and
council 70 call an election, and IL would
most likely result In two conflicting city
governments, that they were entitled to a
speedy election, 10 a sworn statement from
the present council as to all moneys col
lected or paid oct; that the incoming ad-
ministratiOn should limit the fees Of all
officers and that the boards should be
economical, and should be very careful in
regard to granting to individuals valuable
franchises of the city without due consid-
Grafton. After a heated dircussion a mo-
ton was made to reconsider and was
carried and a committee appointed to pre-
sent petitions TO the mayor requesting him
TO call new election. The meeting then
adjourned in good hum0T."