The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-19

The practice OF this profession is reg
ulated by wise and wholesome territorial
laws. There re for,y-nine p-acticing
dentists in the territory.
LABOR SUPPLY.
The demand for labor in Oklahoma
during the past year has been greater
than al any time during the history o!
the territory and for the past three
months has been much o. The time in
excess OF the supply.
The industrious laooring man willing
TO work al whatever is offered Will find
steady employment anywhere in Okla
hona al good living wages, and artisans
and mechanics usually do well. There
is q special demand in some parts %
the territory for good farm laoorers-
OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD.
The total strength OF the Oklahoma
National Guard is five hundred officers
and enlisted man, with complete resi-
mental organization composed or
twelve companies OF infantry and resi-
mental band. located as follows: Band
and company A al Guthrie; B at Alva:
c at Oklahoma; D az FL Reno; Z az
Ponca; F al Pawnee: G a tShawnee: H
al kingfisher: at Perry: * az New
kirk; L at North Enid and VI al Med
ford.
TIE personnel OF the militia IS Ot the
best material among the young men OF
the territory. The spirit OF enthusiasm
is all that can be desired and the disci-
pine will shortly be all that is neces-
sary.
No occasion for placing the territorial
militia in active service has yet oc-
Cured, but the force as al present con-
s,ituted may safely DC relied upon for
any ordinary emergency.
SOLDIERS HOME.
There is a small tract OF land in ORR
ginal Oklahoma known as Council
Grove reservation, which was reserved
from settlement by executive order be-
cause il was covered with a fine growth
of good forest trees The timber. how
ever mas been used for many years 70
supply the military forces stationed at
Fort Reno with fuel and the land is now
covered mostly with thick underbrush
and stumps only. and II would prooao bly,
cost more than il is worth 20 place IL
in suitable condition for farming. 1t
would bring little or nothing intothe
treasury il ordered 10 be sold. but il
would fDe a grand gift 10 the territory
for the purpose OF the establishment OF
a home for the aged and disabled veter-
ans OF the late war. who are coming
more ami more year by year TO need
the sheltering care Of the government.
The very large number OF old soldiers
In the territory (aggregating fully
10000 have petitioned congress through
their organization, the Grand Army Of
the Republic. for this land 70 be used
for the purpose mentioned. and l earn
astly ask the good Offices Of the admin
istration 20 accomplish a contamination
so devoutly 10 be wished.
FREE HOMESTEADS.
By acts OF congress opening lands 70
homestead settlement since 1889 settlers
are required 10 pay for said lands at
prices ranging from s1O0 10 s25O per
acre in addition TO the usual require
ments as TO settlement, cultivation ad
residence. This abandonment Of the
government policy OF free homes for
free men which has prevailed for over
forty years. IS not favOrably regarded by
the settlers, nor by the people generally
who have settled and builded the great
empire states Of the west.
The hardships endured and ifficuldes
surmounted by our people in reducing
these lands 10 the uses Of civilizst ton
and the establishment OF our homes
upon them are perhaps somewhat var
i -, Of no
neers OF the western states, but they
were none the less severe and expsn-
sive. The people generally VINO nave
settled this territory are as earnest,
honest. intelligent and as nigh minded
as those of any state in the union. and
with a full knowledge AMI understand
ing OF all the circumstances OF the case.
they earnestly demand that the old
homestead laws be made 70 apply 20 all
the lands OF Oklahoma and that the
laws requiring them TO pay the govern
ment a price for the same be repealed
The enactment OF such law by con.
gress might We'll in clude clause re-
quiring settlers 70 make their final
proof within a year thereafter and re-
ceive their patents therefor. cnus plac-
ing all our people upon an equality in
sharing the burdens as well as the
benefits OF god government.
STATEHOOD
No one ot sound mind can doubt that
measured by all the standards and
presidents Of which the western sta les
have been admitted 70 the Union. Ok
lahoms IS clearly entitled 70 statehood.
The area OF good land exceeds that
OF many % the states. the population
and wealth OF the territory is greater
than that % many q the states az the
time OF their Emission. and her citizen
snip composed OF a very large majority
OF people whom BY birth, education and
raising in the states guarantees ali the
necessary psrquisites tor god local
government
Thoughtful citizens. however. are not
clamoring f1r immediate statehood. Il
is generally conceded that the best In
terss.s q the whole people win - bes,
subse-vei oy The union q Indian Ter
Titory AMI Oklahoma intO one states,
and Oklah0msus are willing ID wa; re
acton q tae government n composing
the many vexati0us questions arising
win ;ae five civilized ;rioes. settle
neat q which seems 10 De required be-
fore adopting a scheme % union
L Is hoped. however. that these mat
ts-s vii % rap.1iy advanced - con-
gress and that the people % these .x1
territories VII az Al early dz;s os per
rIlisted = form one state sJvernzseat @
taslr Own
In my judgment the 1orrnzt ton ot 7xo
separate states would - 5u-ssasoIe
aad annoying . tas people q both.
vale q union % ;n= ixo would make
s5r3ng. vigorous and prosperous s;s.e-
Ve-y respectfully.