The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-29
DOWN ON THE COUNCIL
A DUAL GOVERNMENT THREATENED.
Guthrie, Oklshoma's Metropolis, All Torn
Up Over the Extravagant Methods OF
Her ssCity Dads'-The Gang Rules
An Indignation Meeting.

WASHINGTON, May 25.-Inspector Pickler of
the interior department, now in Guthrie. Okla
homa, has sent a report to Secy. Noble, under
date of May Is, on the situation in that city. In
the course of his report Inspector Picker says:
For about ten days there has been steadily
increasing feeling here among the people
against the city council of Guthrie. This cOun-
Gil was very irregularly chosen to begin with.
and, as the people understood for the purpose
merely of putting the machinery of the city in
motion. The mayor was selected by commit
tee Of seven, chosen by mass meeting, and a
committee of one from each state and territory
became the council.
"At the time this council was chosen it con-
sisted of over thirty members, but now num-
bers about fifteen. Grave responsibilities were
forced upon them, and generally they have as
sumed and settled them in a creditable manner.
They have preserved order, surveyed the town
and practically cleared the streets. In these
matters they are commended by all. They have,
however, assumed other powers, and under
taYen 10 act in various matters for which they
are very generally and very emphatieally con-
demned. They have appointed attor-
ney at a salary of $3.50 per year,
and an adviser of the council of arbi-
tration at a salary in excess of this !;
a board OF five arbitrators on settling the right
OF possession to lots, some being members OF
the council, a $40 per day, charging each con-
testant $40 before his case could be heard, and
returning only the so to the party succeeding,
and keeping the remainder. Sometimes there
have been five or six contestants for the same
lot. They have granted, or pretended TO grant,
a franchise for ten years to a company TO sup
ply the city with water, build a bridge across
the stream and grade the streets and III like
manner have taken many such steps against
which the citizenslOudly protest. Apd further
they are now collecting taxes-an occupa-
tax a recorders tax on lots, etc.
They have enacted harsh ordinances for vio-
lation of which severe penalties are imposed.
They are recklessly spending money in paying
officials and are surveying the town on lines
other than those recommended at the people
meeting, in order to save their own lots.
Further, it is asserted that the members of
the council are among those who came In on
Sunday before the 22d, and seized all the best
lots, and that the city government has, IN
all matters, protected the interests of these
men. This charge has been made more en-
phatic from the fact that the city council has
instructed its board of arbitration that in con-
sidering who is entitled to lot the board shall
not take into consideration the time OF set
Ting as before or after o'clock but that the
CARELESS of the hour, entitled the party to the
lot. This the people considered in direct con-
fict with the pr esidents proclamation.
'Iu the last few days the council has selected
two other boards of arbitration of five each, at
a compensation of So per day each, as claimed
by some, and at SO per day as claimed by 9TH
ers. The council has transacted much of its
business with closed doors. The lawyers have
formed bar association, and were the first to
take action looking to an election OF city Of
fcers and to the drafting of a charter to govern
them. petition was circulated yesterday
asking the council TO call an election to divide
the city into wards and to make registry OF
the voters and asking that the election be
held Monday, the 9th OF May. Every
body, practically, signed the petition. indie
pendent of this petition the citizens held a
large mass meeting last evening on the govern
ment acre. They were very much in earnest
and very determined. After speeches by differ
ent persons they passed resolution Ousting
the mayor and city council and appointed q
committee to so notify them. and also appointed
a committee of seven to call a city election, ig
noring the present mayor and council. At this
time there had grown to be considerable excite
ment, as the friends of the old council were
on the outside of the building deriding this
action.
"At this juncture, when few men were urg
ing an adjournment, leaving the resolution in
effect to Gust the present council there were
loud calls for me- from, think both sides oil
sentiments. | finally took the stand. | told
/ them that in my judgment it was a mistake tC
not petition the mayor and council to call the
/ election and that it would most likely re
! suit in two conflicting city governments and
| great disorder and confusion, as well as great
/ danger to the public good. That
| they must admit that the council had
/ done much TO be commended and that
| ] was confident election would not be re-
/ fused them. Il agreed with them that they were
! entitled to speedy election by ballot; thai
/ they were entitled to a 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 boards
/ should be economical and should be very care
/ ful in regard to granting to individuals valu
/ able franchises OF the city without due eonsid
Grafton.
/ "A Mr.. Dale, an attorney of Wichita, fol
/ lowed, advising the same course, and at the
close of his remarks motion was made to re
consider the vote declaring the Offices vacant
\ but the chairman of the meeting and about
half a dozen others were in favor of the action
already taken and declared the motion out o.
order, and amid great confusion and no little
! excitement the meeting was about to be ad
/ lOurned, against the almost unanimous desire
of those present to carry out my suggestion.
I They again called for me, and, quickl,
mounting the stand, | very earnestly appealed
to them TO act coolly, and asked them If tn,
! resolution they had passed prevailed, wha
would become of the city, without officers anC
without government until they elected others
| The motion was again made to reconsider anC
was carried, and committee was appointed tC
present petition to the mayor requesting hin
to call an election. The meeting then adjourned
! in good humor.
81 do not think such an emergency will arts,
again. The council will grant the election; il
fact just before the close OF the meeting it sen
word that the election would be called TO
June 10, this, however, is too late date to sui
the people, and l think when we confer will
the council or this point, they will fix an earie
! date. The meeting was unanimous, however
that il the council refused to call the election
that then the citizens would call it,"
Indiana PenHons.