The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-11

Send Him to Washington and Let Hin
Stand Outside the Door Until Congress
Lets Him In-Alaska VIII Also be Oh
Hand and the People in the Territory
Ihiuk That Uncle Sam Might Take PITY
on Them
Guthrie, o. T, Aug 1o.-(Special)-
That great mixture of Indians, half
breeds and white pioneers, the In
dian territory, which has no govern
ment worthy of the name, has not
given up hope of relief from congress
set.
The latest scheme is to elect a dele
gate to congress and ask that body to
admit it,
1t will be remembered that the Dawes
commission asked congress to organize
the Indian territory. The plea Of the
commission was strong but congress
passed over it with hardly a glance.
ahe people in the territory threw up
their hands in despair and resigned all
hope
A. NJ. Dawson editor Of the Chicasha
Express is the man who now punctures
little speck Of light.
He proposed to elect a delegate from
Oklahoma and send him to congress.
At that time Alaska will have dele
gate at the door of the government and
the Indian territory man may slip in
with the brother from the frosted north.
Editor Dawson prints an editorial this
week upholding this idea and publishing
some replies TO questions it asked OF
leading men.
The editorial is as follows:
Last week, and again this, the Ex-
press; has published letters from promi-
hent men, citizens, and congressman,
and while most of them have a doubt
all acknowledge that we ought to have
one. There are In this territory more
than 300, 900 white So-called non-citiZens
and about $4,000 so-called citizens, who
have no representation in congress.
They support the government to the
same extent that the same number OF
people do elsewhere, and are entitled
to the same respect, and we believe
would get a delegate in congress If we
six it. We are not seeking to send a
delegate to represent only the non-cit-
lien side, but to send man with ideas
broad enough to see that the citizens
has rights, and justice enough to grant
and work for them; with spirit enough
to see that the wheel territory is placed
where 1t belongs. With energy enough
to push forward the car of progress to
the end that the Indian territory shah
take its place among the people. IL
1t was only from q monetary view, it
Is worth the venture. If 1t succeeds
the citizen saves the expense of a large
delegation to congress, and the nom
citizen the expense of a. smaller one.
The interests Of the two classes are
Identical Both want the territory TO
forge ahead. The one has no desire to
rob the one of a foot of land OF a dol
Lar of wealth, the other only wants the
right of an American to own his own
I'm own right, and be a citizen in fact,
which both sides would acquire, ell Of
which can be accomplished easier with
o delegate than without, and we believe
that If a delegate is elected, properly
endorsed and sent to Washing ton, he
would be admitted If not, 1t would
show to the world our strength. our
purpose and our needs, and would has
Ten Tic Jay NICu fcCOSnlJlO1 WOulu
come. 1t is certainly worth the trial.
The Express sent out dozen or more
letters to prominent men. asking the
question:
"In your opinion, should the Indian
Territory hold an election, and send a
delegate to congress, would be allowed
a seat in that body
Last week we published a number Of
ri0ssrrpr-x md fnllnru 2 |,
more.
Holton, Kan, Aug 1.
A. NJ. Dawson: Dear SSr-Your favor
Relating to election Of delegate received.
] question If one would ba admitted
without authority to elect; would ia
vor giving such authority during the
next session.
Very truly yours.
CASE FREDERICK.
Ardmore, /. L, July e.
A. NJ. Dawson: Dear Sir-I doubt
very much if the territory should elect
a delegate to congress, whether he
would be allowed a seat. If enough
interest is stirred up in our affairs dur
ing the session of congress, and It
seems likely there Will be, II a man
could be elected who represents all
interests 1t is possible that he might
be seated. If he were elected TO rep
resent the white people only, It IL like
u that the Indian deleg alton would
make a fight against his being seated.
Yours very truly,
S. T. BLEDSOE.
ChiclSasha, 1. T, Aug. f.
Mai. A. NJ Dawson: Dear Sir-In
answer to your question: IN your
opinion: should the Indian Territory
hold an election and send a delegate
to congress. would he be allowed a
esat I'm that body?'
In reply thereto, desire to say that.
sn my opinion. that depends in a meas
ure at least upon the manner In which
the election is conducted, and the ex-
tent in which said election is partici-
pated in by the residents OF the terri
tory. If the election be conducted in
a regular. orderly manner, and De par
ticipated in TO an extent to indicate an
expression of the whole people, think
that the delegate thus chosen would
be seated.
At its last session congress. outlined
ats policy respecting this country in
this unequivocal language: cit is here
by declared 10 be the duty of the United
States TO establish a government IN
the Indian Territory which will rectfcy
tie many inequalities and discrimina-
tons now existing in said territory.
end afford needful protection TO the
lives and property OF all citizens and
residents thereof"
In each Of the recent political plat
forms is found an expression Of terri
tortal policy favoring home rule, and
their early admission TO statehood
The sentiment in congress IS favora-
BILE to our representation. II Is quite
probable that congress viii. during
ats next session, provide for a delegate.
whether any action be taken on it by
The people Of the territory on the line
suggested by you or not Should an