The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1896-01-26
THE MASS MEETING.
IL Was a Success and Demonstrated
Considerable EnthusIasm-DeIeRat
Douglas Good Work.

The mass meeting held yesterday
afternoon in the law offices of Led
better * Bledsoe as per call publish
ed in the ARDMoREITE was one of
the best attended gatherings held in
Ardmore for some time.
Those on hand were representative
and earnest business men who realize
that the towns of the Territory are
confronted with a condition that
may, if not properly handled through
hasty legislation, result disastrously
to the owners of property therein.
The meeting was called to order
by Major Zuckerman, who briefly
stated its object to be to hear reports
from Judge Campbell and Hon. w.
A. Ledbetter, who had recently re-
turned from the national capital.
On motion, Rev. n. F. Law was
elected chairman and t. II. Sturgeon
secretary. This formality being
disposed of, the chairman called for
the pleasure of the meeting.
Judge Campbell was the FIRST
speaker called upon and he respond
ed in a forcible statement of the
situation as he viewed it, his i'm
pressions having been formed
through conversations and confer
ences with members of congress
while in Washington. His views as
to legislation prospective, have been
given in the ARDMoREITE previously
and his expressions yesterday were
in keeping with those utterances.
He believes we viii get townsite
legislation with or without Terri
torialization, most likely the former.
His reasons for doubling the latter
achievement seem we'll founded.
Mr.. Ledbetter next took the floor
and stated his conclusions. Like
Judge Campbell he had been quoted
through the ARDMoREITE and his
discussion was on the same lines.
He does not believe townsite legis-
lation can be effected as a separate
measure, but he does believe it will
come with a territorial form of
government this session of congress.
He sees the worst sort of dangers
hanging threateningly over the
heads of our people if their interests
are not closely guarded. The dan
ger lies in the appraisement of town
lots, that is if the maximum basis of
valuation as now regulated by the
provisions of the law, or if congress
70 rrsa nF
present values the result would in
either instance be ruinous to the
owners of improvements.
Both he and Judge Campbell spoke
in the highest terms in praise of the T.
excellent work of Delegate Douglas. T.
Mr.. Ledbetter says he is complete
master of the situation, that he has
made many friends and no enemies;
that he is always accorded n res
pectful hearing by members of con-
the advancement of our cause to the
promising aspect it now presents.
Ii was the unanimous expression
that to fail now to keep him there,
would be the worst sort of mistaken
policy.
L. p. Anderson, of the-committee
on funds, reported progress which
showed there had from all sources
been collected S255 and that up to
the present Mr.. Douglas had received
$3.50 and had drafted for $50 more
which draft was now here for pay
ment. A collection was taken up
resulting in raising $50, which after
paying the draft leaves SIS to the
credit of the committee. The inn
portance of keeping our delegates
in Washington was fully discussed
and in that particular there was but
one sentiment.
On motion, Hon. w. A. Ledbetter
was delegated TO go to South Nc
Alester and if possible enlist that
place in an effort to procure the in
fiuence of Judge Stuart in our be-
half
A committee consisting of A. e.
Cruce, w. A. Ledbetter and G. NJ.
Campbell was chosen to write Judge
Stuart a letter and request him to
intercede with the Dawes Commission
to have a protecting equitable APP
praisement clause in the bill they
recommended to congress.
Holmes Willis, prominent Chick
asaw official, was present and when
asked If he thought there would be