The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-12-02
THEY WILL ACT.
The Commercial Club Of k.,... e,,. a.
tersstinG Itself In the Affairs Of
the ChIekssav. Nation.

The Kansas City Commercial Club
at its regular meeting tomorrow eve
ming will consider appropriate action
on the proposition Of townsites for
the Chickasaw Nation. In order TO
inform that body as TO the prevail
ing conditions Mr.. Clendenning. sec
retary Of the club, requested the eii-
tor OF the ARDMoREITE to furnish
him with letter setting forth the
facts and outlining the wishes Of the
people in their effort to secure con-
gressional relief. In accordance with
the request the letter was given- him
to be presented to the club.
The ARDMoREITE trusts that the
action OF its editor will meet with the
appreciation Of our people generally,
and particularly those in favor OF the
full realization Of the subject matter
The letter is as follows:
The Commercial Club, Kansas City,
f. NJ. Clendening, Sec.
Dear Sir, the business men Of the
towns of the Chickasaw Nation, In
dian Territory, desire to call the at
tentention Of your honorable body to
the existing state Of affairs with
which they have TO contend and from
which they seek relief at the hands
Of congress. In this effort they real
ize the importance Of your influence
and support and to that end beg to
submit some facts for your consider
alton, hopeing that you may be infiu-
enced TO adopt such appropriate res
olutions as in your iudg .ient the sit
uation iustifies.
As you are aware We are citizens Of
the United States residing in the
Indian Territory BY the consent
Of the Indians. In the Chickasaw
Nation we number 10000 OF which
about IS 600 make up the various
towns. or these towns, 'Ardmore,
Is the largest and most important
point, having a population Of 60OO and
representing an annual business Of
SIS, 900 900. IL contains many sub
stautial business houses Of stone and
brick, valued al SEQ, 600 and about
/ 200 residences, estimated in value,
at from $40 u s., 7,00O each.
We speak Of Ardmore particularly,
because what j. true there applies in
like manner 10 her sister towns and
all are laboring under the same oP-
pressive conditions.
We are taxed TO support the tribal
government but are allowed none Of
the advantages that should follow
such taxation. We are even denied
the blessing Of municipal government.
We cannot foster capital for public
improvements and conveniences,
such a. water works for the protec-
tion Of our property against Ere,
electric lights, street railways, etc.
But the most lamentable condition is
found in the absence Of public
school advantages for the children
that per force Of circumstances, bar
r.ng private schools, are denied all
educational advantages.
II j. TO remedy these evils that We
q seeking your cooperation.
As to the maintenance Of the tribal
government and the continuation OF
the Indian ownership Of lands in
common, We are willing TO leave
those features as they az present ex-
isl, IL by 80 doing congress will give
Us a townsite law, framed 80 as TO
deprive the Indian Of none Of his
treaty rights, but az the same time
give the people Of the towns the OWL
ership Of the ground on which their
homes and business houses are built,
and confer on them the right OF mu-
nicipal government
Under the present situation il Is
evident 70 all that capital Is timid in
seeking investment in the face Of
such uncertainties, but with a town
site law such as We ask, those uncer-
tainties would disappear and progress
would hold full sway. benehtting not
oily the towns OF the Territory, but
largely increasing and putting on a
safer basis, the business Of Kansas
City with our people
II after a mature consideration Of
our plea the commercial club OF your
city can consistently give our petit
ton its support It will be a favor long
remembered and always appreciated.
. In conclusion have the homer 10
subscribe myself,
F.. <. WILSON,