The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-12-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
TERRITORY AFFAIRS DRAGGING
AT THE CAPITAL.
Pie Hunters Hard ae work-A General
Shaking Up of Fourth Class Psak
Offices Expected Co Follow.
Under Judge GIL.

CPSCi@l 10 the AFQmOrGlte.
With the currency debate occupy
ing the entire time of the house, and
the senate practically devoted to ex-
ecutive sessions for the consideration
of recess appointments, the past
week has developed little of interest
to the people of the Territory. Even
at the interior department. where
there is q continuous grind and
where Indian Territory affairs are
usually conspicuous, there mas been
little. il anything, of interest to the
people OF the Territory.
~
No action has yet been taken by
the secretary of the interior, nor
even by the first assistant secretary,
on the bills passed by the Choctaw
and Chickasaw councils. Unusual
pressure has been brought to bear on
the secretary to secure his recon-
mendation for approval by the pres
ident of the bills authorizing the en-
pioyment of attorneys by the two
nations to represent them in Wash
ington. This is particularly SO of the
Chickasaw bill. Mr.. Ralph Burton,
prominent candidate for the Uniteu
States senate in Kansas is in the city
endeavoring to secure the approval
of this bill, as it is understood he
will be employed by the nation as
soon as the president affixes his sig
nature of approval. Under the bill
he is to receive SIS, 900 per annum, the
same salary as that of United
States senator.
~
National Committeeman Leo Ben
nett has been in the city during the
past week ostensibly attending the
meeting of the Republican national
committee, but in reality obtaining
the scalp of his democratic friends
who are holding federal positions in
the Territory. Thus far he has ar
ranged for the removal of some If
teen or twenty fourth class postmas-
ters and the appointment of similar
number of republicans.
In most of these cases Mr.. Ben
nett's task has been an easy one.
Such is not the case, however, with
relation to the South McAlester ofice.
This ia one of the best paying post
offices i'm the Territory, having q |
salary attachment of $500 per an
mum. The list of candidates, which
some time ago numbered some fifteen
applicants, has been reduced to but
three. Frank Smith, the candidate
Of the Clayton faction, 10 in the city
and i'm putting mp stiff fight. Will
liam, Noble, backed by a large en-
dorsement, is doing what he can to !
land the prize, while the present post
master, Mrs. Mary Potter, has pre-
sented her case to the department,
and, with large list of supporters |
and hackers, has asked the postmas- |
ter general to give her a commission |
for four years more. Up TO Satur-
day, the 18th. Mr.. Bennett had made |
NO recommendations, but the pre-
sumption is he will recommend |
William Noble, in which event the |
latter wall probably be appointed.
80
The nomination of Joseph A. Gill |
to be judge of the northern Edis-
trict of Indian Territory as a success
sor to William MI. Springer has been
and it il. expected that he
will assume the duties of the office
by the goth instant. 1t has also been
decided that Assistant District At
torney Luman r. Parker, Jr., will be
appointed clerk to the court, and he
will be succeeded by Connecticut
man, personal friend ofSecretary to
the President John Addison Porter,
and constituent OF Senator Plat.
It has also been announced that Or
Iando Wilcox, the first assistant at
will tender his resignation
and returnto Ohio, hia former home,
and there engage in the practice of
aw. This will leave nm additional
vacancy, which, IL time honored
policy of the administration is car
lied ont, will GO to either Ohio or
,0una aaataru state.