Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-09-15
TOWNSHIP MATTER DISCUSSED.
foO-Qua-Stee Expresses Himself on
This Feature of the Curtis Bill.

EDITOR CHIEFTAIN:-I am now
to talk about towns and cities; and
the first thing, Gas paradoxical as
it may SEEM that l wish to i'm
press upon the mind of the reader,
is this: Towns and cities are not
made by men; in that sense, |
mean, which would authorize any
one to say, 81 made this town."
or "the people owe me debt of
gratitude for the. existence and
prosperity of this city,"
Towns and cities are sponta-
neities called into being by the
presence and activities of popula-
ton; just as cuckleburs spring up
and flourish after the natural lay
of the soil has been broken up and
mellowed by the pillow. The far
mer has been engaged all summer
in the little selfish project of rails
ing a bit of corn; but the burs are
there in full life and bloom, not,
however, by human design, but in
spite of it; they are there, and no
thanks to anybody, or anything,
unless it be the mans own indo-
lence and shiftlessness. Towns
and cities are the undersigned pub
lie results of a multitude of de-
signed individual enterprises.
To illustrate; Mr.. A moves into
town, and builds a palatial resi-
dence; the structure is splendid
piece of architectural art, and it is
not only an ornament to the town,
but it is indeed part and parcel
of the town itself. Now, what
! was the actuating motive that in
duced this man to execnte this
l.
noble piece of work. Was it to
build up the town and add to its
splendor? Not at all. What did
be do? Simply built himself a
house to live in. He came into
town and did all this elaborate fix
ing merely that he might enjoy
the benefits of the place; in other
words to live on the town. It is
true, he has added something to
the municipal importance of the
place; but that increment came
along as an inevitable resultant;
just as the cucklehurs spring up
on the trail of the farmer; thing
which he did not contemplate, and
which he could not hinder. 1t
must, upon the whole, be admit
ted that he did quite good thing
for himself; yet l know of no prin-
ciple of reason by which you, or l,
or the public, could be held in a
debt of gratitude to him for hav-
ing built that splendid mansion
within the town.
Take another case; millionaire
manufacturer locates a plant in
the town, and puts into operation
an establishment which will fur
nish profitable employment to
many hundreds of necessitous
operatives. His shops are a great
accession and credit to the town.
But what thanks do l, or the pub
lie, owe him? He has acted from
entirely selfish motives. He has,
perhaps, bled the inhabitants OF
the town of not a few thousands OF
| dollars as a first condition for his
coming. He came into the place
to get the benefit of its resources.
The building up of the town was
the last thing that he ever thought
of, if indeed he ever thought of il
at all. Even The hands that he
feeds, he works as well; and be
had just a lief starve them, as feed
them; and will actually do so just
as soon as their labor ceases to be
profitable to him. There is nc
thanks due this man from any re.
tional source; because benevolence
which gratitude always implies, is
in his case, absolutely wanting.
| One more instance will suffice
| Both sides of Main street, say
are walled with colossal stone 'anC
brick blocks, many stories high
all their capacious apartment
ljammed full of sparkling merchan
disc, and an army of nimble-footet
clerks at the long counters, ar
I. waiting daily upon an impetuou
throng of customers. Money i
flying on every hand. 1t is a bril-
liant theatre of wealth, and j
looked upon, by way of eminence
; as the city, the very heart Of il
: without which the municipal pulls
! would cease to beat and instan
81 death to the place would ensue