The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-11-22
WANTS TO PRESIDE
Freeman Miller Announces
Candidacy for President
OF OKLAHOMA COUNCIL
incidentally He Outlines Need
ed Reform Legislation,

Guthrie. o. r., Nov. A.-Hon- Freeman
z. Miller Of saltwater, who was recently
elected 10 the legislature from the Third
council district. IS in Guthrie on legal
business. Immediately following his
election AIr. Miller announced himself as
& candidate for the presidency Of the
council and his declared Intention of re-
naming in Guthrie several days is pre-
SUNDAY for the advancement Of his po-
utcal aspirations. Concerning the pos
sibaiues Of his being chosen to preside
over the council Mr.. Miller maintains a
cautious reserve, and is apparently In
teresteds in developing the strength Of his
possible rivals. Not counting Duffy, The
PopuHst ho was elected in the Fifth dis
trlct with the aid Of Republican votes,
the membership of the council In the next
legislature include seven fusiOnists and
i've Republicans. OF the former five had
previous Democratic procivides and two
Todd and Couison-were formerly aHili-
ated with the Populist party. There are
FIVE avowed candidates among the fusion
lists for president OF the council. Miller
Clarke, Bellamy Todd and W0olsey and
from now until the legislature is con-
.vene5 in January it viii be interesting to
observe their respective maneuvers to
control the four votes necessa rysfor the
caucus nomination. For. despite con-
trary predictions, Mr. Miller is Of the
opinion that the fusionists including
Harrison. VINO was elected as a straight
Democrat in the Thirteenth district viii
when the time comes agree TO enter into
a caucus. the result of which viii be
binding upon all the participants. L
have heard it as a rumor.' he said today,
Chat the, Republicans are planning g.
surprise on the opposition. by which they
propose to effect the election of a Re
publican as president of the council
There is only one way in which this pan
can be accomplished and that is through
the detection Of one or more Of the mem
Ders elected as fusionists, a contingency
OF which do not entertain the faintest
idea of funument Betting a party ticket
has never been popular in American poll
ties and The bolter usually sinks INTO
Wel-mcrited oblivion Teber have been
exceptions, when boilers were afterwards
h1nored. as was the case during the first
legislative session. when members broke
through party lines to promote sectional
advantage. but in the Second legislature
and at other periods when certain men
through purely selfish motives voted with
The opposition party it is a significant
fact that they have never been heard of
since in territorial politics
Whether elected president Of the coun-
cl or not there are several matters Of
general interest upon which Mr. Miller
VIII endeavor to secure legislation. The
most important of these re con iders a
Jaw TO control the leasing Of school lands
lie has as yet no weII-dehned plan ma
tuged bur he thinks that a law should be
passed which, while not giving the lessee
au absolute 'cnch' en- the land. should
&c least anord him fun protection in his
preference right against other bidders,
an dat the same time guard the interests
Of The territory. lie win also give his at
tenton 10 the school text book system,
lha contract for which expires next wear
AIr. MHer wants a system introduced in
tiit -aliAt|it NloNeileQ lLter the system
In use fin Indiana or Kansas, by which
change De asserts the people would Sc
cure better and cheaper text books.
Mr Miller win favor re-apportionment
Of the legislative districts by the coming
legislature. BY this he does not mean
Chat DE wants to gerrymander the terri
tory but simply to get n more equitable
distribution and to follow more closely
county lines where practicable He cites
mat under the present superintendent
counties are divided Up into different leg
lsiatve districts and as in the case in
several instances a single county is ap-
p7ruoned two or more districts The
bulk ar immigration, NE argues further.
has been largely to the six counties IN
aiuded fra the Thirteenth council district.
ana &c is no more than justice that re-
appordonment should be made and the
western counties accorded a representa-
uon more in keeping with their p5pula-
Hon
Mr Miller vii lalso favor a change in
The Zee and salary law that VIII increase