The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-05
WHY The DEMAND Is
Statehood Would Put Office
Holders in Reach
OF THE OKLAHOMA VOTER
To Reward or Rebuke-- The
Revolt on washington"
OF THE OKLAHOMA VOTER


mittee and a statehood convention the
same night.
The typical American longing for self
government is Just now playing an all
important part in the history of Okla
homa Federal long-distance control IS
not palatable to Oklahoma, and is to no
section Of the United States unless that
small cube set in between Maryland and
the Virginias, the District of Columbia
and Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Philip
pines are excepted.
In addition to the statehood meeting
which is to be held this month, Delegate
Flynn is set in the determination to push
q statehood bill through the next con-
Rress.
The statehood convention will be enthu-
siastic-they always are. Delegate Flynn
in pushing statehood will feel that his
efforts are in response to a great public
demand.
Federal control in internal affairs is
strikingly obnoxious. As the revolt is
seen and measured in Oklahoma it is in
no manner a survival of Il states
rights sentiment, but is, at bottom, de-
.mand for vulnerability in public officers,
a protest which takes number of forms
discovering that washington" as a
synonym for government"
Is not Just in its conclusions in regard
TO internal territorial affairs.
Is not discriminating in its knowledge
of territorial men.
Is not familiar with the influence of
men and gives weight where it should not
listen, and refuses to hear where it
should act.
Is susceptible to the influence Of every
Tale-bearer.
In their own political squabbles the peo-
pie Of Oklahoma have formed an opinion
of ''Washingtons' capabilities along this
line, but more than this they have seen
It also exemDlified in the conduct of the
Indian agencies which are a part of Okla
homa.
Washington appoints Indian agents who
serve under a commissioner Of Indian af-
fairs. who is usually selected on politi-
cal grounds The position of Indian agent
is a trying one. It is of necessity IN
popular with the Indians, for it includes
on the agents part high state of dis
cipline not alone over the Indians, but
over his White subordinates.
The Indian agents sleep with dynamite
under their pillows the dynamite having
wire connections with Washington.
William Walker was summarily dis
charged as agent at Anadarko not long
since without explanation, the depart
ment stin refusing to make public the
charges. Waving the trivial charges of
corruption which have never been
authenticated by the department. his
error seems to have been the offending
of one Of his subordinates who was a
pet Of the Indian commissioner.
1t is said that Major Woodson will re-
tire from the Darlington agency January
!, and that a carpet-bagger will take his
place. Major Woodson's conflict with the
department, it is believed came about in
this way: shrewd attorney convinced
Woodson's Indian wards that they had a
just claim against the government The
Indians hired this attorney at 5000 a
year to press their claim. The Indians
are comparatively poor and had no busi-
ness wisdom to justify this. Major Wood
son. it is said protested Whereupon.
Washington began to worry. annoy
and fret him and to interfere. in the de-
Tense Of the attorney who had found a
snap. Major Woodson. who has really
been of magnificent practically in his
Improvement Of the red race has a place
waiting for him in the army and can
afford to resign. and has sent in his resig-
nation.
Agent Pollock of the Usage agency. II
IS also chron1cIed from Washington Is TO
be removed soon. His trouble seems to
have been with subordinate who re-
solved to get his scalp. and is on the
point Of doing it,
Washington" supervises Its agencies
through special agents. The special agent
Is as a United States district court. He
Is organized to convict. He is sent to
ind rottenness at an Indian agency and
he usually finds it. if not in the records.
then from the liDs Of irresponsible wit
neSses whom the agent has offended.
That is the Indian agency side of the
story Of the incapability Of federal con-
troll in oklahoma. The territorial side Of
federal control another matter.
There has been ever since Governor
Barnes took his seat a perpetual fire upon
him. Whether az last that fire Is to be
effective no one. in reality. knows Sec
rotary Jenkins friends are confident that
and Jenkins nut in his place. Governor
Rarnes' friends do not believe that any
such thing will happen. are positive that
II viii not
The bald truth % the matter Is that m
one knows. not even washington" itself
For Washington" may have an molina
ZION and not do a thing to which II IN
cllnes. Or it may have no inclination and
do a thing without warning.
But Washington is not culnable g., This
rs in the case of the Indian agency man.
aEement- There IS no fault in the Who'll
matter unless the great vital American
demand for self-government is NJ e,pl,
and without it America would not he
The cause Of the attacks on Govern,
Barnes and all his predecessors can =.
summed uD in the statement that -.
peonie Of oklahoma want their of7ci,l.
Vulnerable to the public. They want -.
right 70 get at them" They 5sr,,,t
the privilege Of retaliation. rah,,ta -.
ward. vindicauon.
The man who has been turned dow, y,
territorial governor wants ac+;,, IT,.
man may carry his precinct his r-,-s
his county he may der,nns-~a-a 90
ence, power popularity. but ba csr,,
feel the possibility OF reaching gov,
ernor created At Washington. Il IS lanvb
ably true thar II the same governor Ia,
been duly elected by popular vote. an,
had turned down the man in mi
instance. As he IS turned down freoue1tI
in every state in the Gni9u. this man WI
can carry his Drecinct. ward and county
would. nine times out Of ten. smother hi
resentment and come into line" AT N
election. This is done everywhere. Pa
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