The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-07
GALL FOR CONVENTION
Issued by Leading Men of
Indian Territory
TO MEET FEBRUARY %
At South McAIeSter to Concert
Public Measures.

call, signed by sixty-six leading men Of
the territory, for the convention to Abe
| held at South McAlester on February 2,
for the purpose of petitioning congress
for needed legislation in the way of max
ing provisions for public schools, asy-
lums for the insane, a penitentiary for
criminals territorial form of govern
ment and representative in. congress.
The people at each postoffce are re-
Quested to elect a sufficient number OF
their most influential men to represent
THEM in the convention. The can, in fun,
is as follows:
! To the People Of the Indian Territory:
In the Judgment of those who have long
resided in the Indian Territory, and who
have besn familiar with its conditions,
It is today in the most di.tressful state
IN It's history. Uncertainty prevails every
where and with reference TO everything
Every interest, every class, every voca-
ton is paralyzed with doubt The farm
ers are perplexed, not knowing whether,
| IL they plant crop, they will be permit
| ted to gather it; the business man cannot
buy his stock with safety because ne can
| not know what the normal demand for
! his goods may be; the dwellers In towns
| cannot New the future with assurance
J because they cannot know whether, in the
! general depression, their ability will be
equal to the burden which they must meet
in the way of paying the required per
I Centage Of the valuation Of their lots, nor
] -,.41 H.
! heavy, nor the time when it must be lift
! ed The Indian is hampered with restric-
! tionS and cannot make a satisfactory COZ
tract with his tenant because Of the con
| dittons stated, nor improve his lands him
SELF because he cannot know with Ger
! tainty where his holding will be.
! In the adntnistra ton Of the law, a very
| choas prevails. OF the FIVE Indian sys-
| tens, some survive with powers abridged
! ana without judicial functions, and some
with fragmentary judicial functions whose
| existence adds to the general confusion.
Monstrous incongruities are pa tent every
where. The law provides how a man may
acquire . free simple title to property in
towns, yet, without judicial hearing, he
may be deprived OF the right to live upon
L =
half a dozen several states exists in the
heart Of the Union. the greater part of
which is without law under which schools
can be organized, and subject to alien
taxation, not only unjust, but oppressive,
in amount. and which is levied without
voice or representation on the part of
those against whom the tax is tYciussvely
directed. The insane are without asy'ums
but are confined in jails The orphans 3nd
destitute are without homes or refuge
provided by public agencies. The / dies
of the unclaimed dead have not even the
manner of their death inquired into ~
customary inquest, nor burial provided by
legalized agency. gene-al laws ex:st by
which the public health can be protected
from epidemic disease.
At the rate Of progress nJy bctrg made
in executing the agreement between the
Choctaws and Chtekasaws and the United
States government and in giving ese,t TO
laws heretofore enacted for tl.osc ;rl,es
which have not reached age ehert til
the government, present evil condiudrs,
instead Of being terminals within d 1las-
enable time, bid fair TO be continued in
definitely. The prospect not only dis
hearteus and discourages. but a9pals.
Under these circumstanc we believe
that it is the duty of the people of the
Indian Territory to have recourse to ira
diuonal American methods: TO meet in
convention assembled. there to agree upon
remedies for existing ills and concert lines
of action, and perfect organization by
which these may be pressed upon the at
tention of congress and Of TIE peoF Of
Inc United States-both alike ever r4adv
and generous to relieve when inf ,rmei %
need-t0 the end that conditions, glovr
intolerable, may be ended. The people of
the territory have not heretofora atterlpt-
ed to unite upon broad lines of action Tor
with unauinity Of purpose ana sysleI, -zcl
ondcav5r sought 70 sccI,a Iegis'luon con
ductiye 10 the general good Of the ent're
territory; Yet the history of cur country
teaches us that demands, founded n rs
lice and urged with mo ieration hut with
continuity of thought and actor. have
never yet failed OF success.
We therefore. request The people Of he
Indian Territory. Without regard u race
or political affiliations. to meet in raass
meeting az every place in tho country at
which there is 4 p7s-0.n-e or town n the
territory On which place. OF towns isf=c-
t,ous disease does nov ecizN Ua-drsIy 70
consider their int.-sst II tha ae,tl & nc
present situation. aoS e sole Il - nost
pubic spirltsi ana cauabi. ci-i;euS aud
send them as deleSl Is 70 coavenrl-u 20
BE- held On vasrirg--a= birthday. 80
twsnty-seconG tay Z l'chrItcv. 90 in
South NcAisster-chiz Place cJw beir=
fro Of contssion 8rt Being sc.ec;ed in
deference 70 the majority - th7es VIE
s s,i this call as me most accessible 10 al
The people 4 the territory.
We recommend that the ce5la in such
OF delegates who shall cast il Tie cor
vention two wees for each pgztofTce IL
thu country aad two votes for each thous-
and. OF fractional part thereof. o. popula-
dor IL towns. We request the hundred
newspapers Of the territory. u1cea <inclv
6iEEcnt in their efforts n advance IRE
pubic god. 70 copy this csu IN all thelr
issues until he convention has bscn held.
and % lend their cooperation n accusing
the peep1o Of the different communities 70
the necessity Of putting aside 17ca- 5-sl-
oussss. PreSjudices ~ race section. Glass
OF party. and of endesvo-ing in tie me6e
suggested TO promote the general welfare.
February srd. 1870
C0L0RED SCHOOL BUILDING
ct Eiagfisher IL 70 be known as the
Douglas school
K.nEdsher. Q. T, Eel. s-At The meet
- -. r. -