Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-26
MUNICIPAL TROUBLE.
The Citizens of Guthrie Denounce Their
Thrifty City Officers,


WASHINGTON, May 25th = Inspector
Guthrie, Oklahoma, has sent report to
Secretary Noble under date of May 18th, on
the situation in that city. In the course of
his report Inspector Picker SAYS:
"The 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 creditable
manner. They have preserved order, sur
veyed the town and practically cleared the
streets. In these matters they are COM
mended by all.
They have, however, assumed other pow
ers and undertaken to act in various mat
tiers for which they are generally and very
emphatically condemned. They have APP
pointed an attorney at a salary of 81 800
per year aid an adviser of the Council on
Arbitration. at salary in excess of this,
and Board of five arbitrator on settling
the right of possession to lots, some being
members of the Council, at $40 per day.
They charge each contestant $40 before
the case can be heard, and return only $40
to the party succeeding and keeping the re-
| mainder. They have granted or pretended
to grant franchise for ten years to a
company to supply the city with water, to
build bridge across the stream and to
grade streets, and in like manner have
taken many such steps, against which the
citizens loudly protested. And, further,
they are now collecting an occupation tax
of S. per month, a survey tax and a Re-
corder's tax on lots. etc. They have en-
acted harsh ordinances for the violation of
which severe penalties are imposed.
They are recklessly spending the money
in paying officials, and are surveying the
town on lines other than those recon-
mended at the peoples meeting, in order
to save their own lots.
Further, it is asserted that members of
the Council are among those who came in
on the 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 Council has in
structed its Board OF Arbitration that in
considering who is entitled to q lot, the
Board shall not take into consideration the
time of settling as before or after o'clock,
but that priority of settlement on Monday,
the 22d, regardless of hour entitled the
party to the lot. This the people consider
to be in direct conflict with the Presidents
proclamation.
A petition was circulated yesterday ask
ing the Council to call an election to
divide the city into wards and to
make registry of the voters, and
asking that an election be held
Monday, the 9th of May. Everybody
practically signed the petition. The indie
pendent petition citizens held large mass
meeting last evening. They were very
much in earnest and very determined.
After speeches by different persons they
passed a resolution ousting the Mayor and
City Council and appointed committee to
notify them, and also passed resolution
appointing committee of seven to call
city election, ignoring the present Mayor
and Council.
The Inspector then states that there were
loud calls for his views. That he took the
stand and told them that in his Judgment
it was a mistake to not petition the Mayor
and Council to call an election, and it
would most likely result in two conflicting
city governments. He said that the people
were entitled to speedy election, and to
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 the Boards
should be economical and should be care
full in regard to granting to individuals val
liable franchises without due considera-
ton.
After heated discussion a motion was
made to reconsider. 1t was carried and
committee appointed to present a petition
to the Mayer, requesting him to call new
election. The meeting then adjourned in
good humor.