The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-05
THAT COURTS LAW"
Correspondent Tells What Effect It
Has Had on Indian Territory.

To the Editor of the State Journal
We learn by the papers that the Hon.
Chas- Curtis is liable, very liable to eX-
perience the weight of that clOven-fOot
that has worked SO much disaster to
regulated schemes among day-dreamers
of political ambitions
The people in this territory, If they
are alive to any one truth more than
another it IS to the fact that in all
matters Of politics they are supposed TO
play dead. That since, long since it has
been the policy of the country TO treat
with manifest allowance and charita-
bic Indifference anything. by way of
suggestion, enanating from the brain Of
a den1zen OF this country. holding to
the opinion that all good Indians died
young There is a lurking suspicion
extant that 1t IS the purpose of the gov
eminent to not allow this territory a
voice IN governmental matters until all
this blood. kin and kith have been gath
cred TO their fathers.
When It transpIres that the inhabi-
tants hereof become inbued with the
enthusiasm of the hour over politics;
enter into the spirit of a national cam
paign with the zeal and ardor that
marks that period in the states, there is
no safety valve offered them in an cleo
ton day when they can go and effer-
VesCe, and boil over and simmer down
and cool off; but with his ipent up
Utica OF thought and feeling. he goes
about all day in something the attitude
OF one inviting soul stirring kick
A territory with upwards of a half
in congress to represent them; being
perfectly at the mercy OF outsiders to
do with his helpless condition as they
see fit So lies his PROSTATE form be-
fore the people OF this government.
Barring Maine. she has territory as
great as New England, and with re-
sources, mineral wealth, fertility of soil,
and a climate vastly superior to those
states in whose combined representa-
ton in congress, in the senate alone,
amounts to ten Yet because this terri
tory protests at being made the tail of
OklahOma's kite, she is given but little
encouragement in her ambition to be-
come a state in the near future.
Kansas came into the Union with
only about one-haf the population that
this country has today, hence it follows
that the people Of this socalIed five
civilized tribes view with no
little concern any mention made of a
possible contingency in politics that
would result SO disastrOusIy to their in
terests.
Up to this time the voice of Curtis
has been like the voice of John the
Baptist crying in the wilderness, and
any effort TO wayIay him would be
looked upon by this people as a very
grave matter in view of his unfinished
work.
The territory when the Curtis law
went into effect was a bowling wilder
ness. The rapid settlement of Kansas
Arkansas and Texas quite surrounding
this territory, together with Oklahoma,
had the effect to expeI largely, the
floating class Of outlawry from those
states across the borders into this cOun-
try, in numbers suggestive Of birds Of
refuge in the winter time. where they
found home COngenial both in climate
and topography and in all respects suit
ed 10 their tastes and purposes. Many
of them fntermarryIng with the natives,
settling down and making homes The
laws Of the different tribes taking cog
nizance only Of crimes between their
own citizens.
The United States courts were in a
great measure pOweriesS, in cOuse-
quence of the protection offered by the
many advantages offered by the topo-
graphy of the country and the fact that
the sentiment OF the average of many
of the citizens was 3nimicaI to the
courts.
Thus it was that crime was rampant
and the criminal could scout for years
in cOmpa ratiTe safety. The dense wood
land, the canebrake, the deep mountain
gorge proHered a perfect asylum that
he could fly to, il holly pursued as a
dernier resort and still be in easy ac-
cess of his friends.
The Curtis law was an innovation
and effected a complete revolution. 1t
established new courts: abolished tribal
courts and made all amenable to the
United States courts. These courts in
lieu Of sfttings as formerly out OF the
territory, viz, one at FIT. Smith Ark
the other at Paris. Texas, were made
numerous, corresponding TO district and
justices courts IN the states, and were I
conveniently located as was best suited
to cater to the wants of the population /
and in view of the lay Of the country, /
Each court was installed with full /
complement Of officers,
The effect was magical 1t has only
been one year since the Curtis law went I
into effect but that year has wrought
wonders The woods have been secured [
for criminals. They have been hunted I
down and run out of the secIusfon I
where they have been in hiding; some /
killed in capturing. some waiting upOn /
trial in prison and
sentences in eastern prisons where they /
went in carload lots; whilst others have {
paid the penalty of their infractiOn Of {
the law by death by the most approved (
plan. q Ia rope.
The percentage Of crime is diminish /
ing fast Under the new regime the |
feeling Of security to life and property /
Is fast taking possession of the people /
There were portions of this country en-
tirely unsafe not only for strangers to +
pass through. but even neighbOrS. Ifv- /
en- paths and trails, through the feel /
ing Of insecurity and take their course /
through the brush, daeming it safer.
Towns are now regularly organized !
and generally have good governments
But the work instituted by Curtis is /
only fairly begun it needs the master +
hand TO carry it to completion. Curtis 1
is the congressman-at- large of his peo-
pie. he is in everybOdy's mouth: his
only voice they know. He is their only
exponent. their only mouth piece in the
halls of congress We cant speak ad-
visedly of the needs and wants of the
First Kansas congressional district: we 4
are not disposed to think any less OF
Mr.. Curtis when we read how the great
Octopus has his eye sot on him and is
about 10 gulp him down All we can
say is when in our minds eye we look
into the yawning cavity and fgurative-
~ speaking hang a hold of one leg in
our zeal to save him from the rapaciOus {
appetite Of that vermint. we cant spare
him 1. D. BURDICk
Fort Gibson, L T.