The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-19

| Other Oklahoma News.
Kingfsher. o. T., Dec. 1s.-(SpeciaLj
The last legislature of this territory
| provided that the county commission
| ers Of the several counties might in
their discretion postpone the collection
| OF taxes until August Of this year
Many, If not all, the counties awaited
| themselves Of this provision Of the stat
utes. But almost before the taxpay-
ers had had time to fold his receipt for
the pament of his taxes under the pro-
vision Of law above stated, ne was
again called upon to pay his dues for
the current fiscal year. and this after a
season Of unprecedented drouth and
crop failure. Now many of the peo-
pie are unable to meet this second de-
mand, coming so soon after the first.
Taxes are necessarily high in the
country on account Of the people having
TO provide school facilities for their
children; and perhaps unnecessarily
high in the cities because OF mismanage
ment on the part of the city officers
who were elected al an early day, with
out reference to their qualifica tons for
the duties required Of them. But what
ever the cause or causes, the taxpayers
are asking for relief They are hav-
ing an enormous burden saddled on
them without their consent. In a GER
tain sense it is taxation without repre-
sentation. Court costs are being pill
ed mountain high by judges whose only
desire is to please the authorities at
Washington. Court officers are getting
rich by collecting fees, who have no
more interest in Oklahoma than a satan
has in Paradise. Relief will come
when governors, judges, CLERKS and 9TH
ers who hold office by virtue of an ap-
pointment look TO the people for in
dorsement, rather than to the prefunc-
tory Endorsement of some United States
senator who happens to stand in with
the powers that be. In other words,
immediate statehood is the remedy. To
secure If possible. temporary relief,
Senator Prouty, of this county, after
consultation with a number of farmers
and business men, addressed the follow
Ing letter to his excellency, Governor
Renfrow, asking him TO convene the
legislature in extra session for the pur-
pose OF relieving the people OF the pres
ent efaba IRA ss1ent:
Kingfsher, o. T, Dec II, 1895.
Hon. W. C. Renfrow, Governor Of Okla
homa Territory, Guthrie, o. T.
Dear Sir:-As this has been a year of
depression. and a failure of crops. to a
large extent, at least of that kind of
crops from which people could realize
money; the question of taxes, coming
SO closely upon the payment of the tax
or 1894 IN August last, makes the taxes
and the fact of their becoming delin-
quent. If not paid at this time, and the
penalty OF per cent added at once,
and an additional tax Of 1 per cent on
the 1st day Of each month. for the first
three months; and an additional per
cent a month for the second three
months; and per cent per month of
each month thereafter, until paid
1t seems TO me these penalties are too
great burden for our people to bear
in their present depressed condition.
DO you think that it would he a good
plan for you to convene the legislature
at an early date, for the purpose OF
passing some law that will relieve our
people of these penalties for a time. I'M
III they can raise crop Of which they
have such bright prospects at present.
The law, in my judgment, is a good
one, as it is, for ordinary years; but
this year our people are passing
through crisis which is to be hoped
they will never pass through again. If
there ever was a time when the people
needed chance to help themselves.
that time is now. Our people are not
asking for assistance; they are only
& skiing for time in which TO help them
selves.
/ am aware that you have been peti-
toned to call the legislature together
before, and / am also aware of the
fact that one of the embarra ssments
TO you. in converting the legisla ture. il
The expense Of the same Now in order
10 relieve you as much as possible OF
that embarrassment, !, as a member OF |
The council. will attend such meeting
Of the legislature, without any expense |
to the Territory. While have not con-
suited any Of the other members, from |
my acquaintance with them.
L have no doubt they will all be will |
ing to contribute their time. for at least |
two or thre days. 1t ought not to |
take more time than that. OF course |
here would be some expense to the |
Territory. aside from the per diem OF |
the members, but it would not amount |
10 much for so short time; when COM
pared TO the great benefit to the peo-
Die in relieving them of these penalties
until they can make a crop.
Think Of the number Of people in this
Territory who must be distressed, in
January, If their personal taxes are
lot paid. Let US try and relieve them.
md j know Of no better way. than 10
convene the legislature as I have indi-
'ated. and let them. together with your
elf, give the people a chance. Re
pectfully yours,
C. T. PROUTY.
Member Council. Ninth District.
BOODLING HIS WIFE.
Guthrie, q. T., Dec. 1S.-(Special)-
II Oklahoma City Alfred Hamilton has
ued May F. Hamilton for a divorce in
he district court. They were married
n 1891 in New York where the plaintiff
vas a contractor and builder. The
ground for divorce set forth
n the petition is that in making deeds.
ranSfers, mortgages. etc, his wife
rould not sign her name. as required by
NV. without first demanding and re-
ewing large sums Of money. and n !
Their ways showed that she had no in
crest in their mutual welfare In
'ebruary. 1895. they separated and he is
ow paying her $500 per annum. Ledru
iuthrie is his attorney.
w C Seward. who aEnrried Anna p |
evard in New York in 1883. and lived |
nth her until May. 1894. was granted
divorce from her yesterday al Oklaho-
Ia City on the ground q abandonment |
lie testified that he had a fine 5000 |
esidence in New York City. and was
wing high, but found that he would
ave 10 retrench - keep from failing.
lie spoke 10 his wife about II. and she
ew into a passion. saying she did not
ropose 10 change her mode OF living.
nd would not The end OF the matter
as that she picked up her 6uds and
o. out
BUCK MR.. SMITH.
In -t,fa I 1 4