The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-09
|T'S A CAPITAL fight
This Renewed Campaign on
Governor Barnes.
OR SO GUTHRIE BELIEVES
Action on Both Sides Held to
Bear Out the View
OR so GUTHRIE BELIEVES

Guthrie, o. T., Jan. SIT now develops
that the. recent movement after Governor
Barnes official scalp is simply the re-
opening of the old fight between Okla
homa City and Guthrie over the capital
question. This, at lest, is the conclusion
reached by the people of Guthrie, based
chiefly upon the understanding that the
federal appropriation bill this year fails
to specify that the temporary capital of
Oklahoma shall not be disturbed, which
proviso has been inserted in the annual
appropriation bill ever since the memora-
bile capital site contest OF 1890, when the
first territorial legislature consumed
nearly the entire session in trying to re-
move the capital. Two bills even passed
locating the capital successfully at Okla
homa City and Kingfsher, but both
measures were vetoed by Governor Steele.
So notorious was the conduct of that
legislature that congress readily listened
to the suggestion Of preventing similar
scandals by inserting proviso in the
federal appropriation bill prohibiting the
removal of the temporary capital, and at
every subsequent session this restraining
claue ha been made a part of the appro-
priation bill, at the suggestion of the ter
ritorial delegate. This year, however, 1t
is understood that the capital proviso has
been omitted, and should the appropria-
ton bill be passed without this particular
amendment it means that the next legis-
lature will be the scene of another fight
similar to that of ten years ago, with
Oklahoma City again the chief contestant
and Guthrie lighting to retain the temper
airy capital. With this obstacle in the
way of reopening the capital fight Temov-
ed, the people of Oklahoma City, with ~
the ewalth, push and energy of that hustl-
ing city behind the movement, fear but
one other danger in the path of a success
full contest, and that is the executive veto;
and it has just dawned upon the minds
Of the Guthrieites that the fight to re-
move Governor Barnes is being waged by
Oklahoma City for the chief purpose of
securing the appointment of a governor
who would be friendly to the interests Of
Oklahoma City. In spite of the denials of
the local newspapers the report is gener-
ally dCCGpleu mere llldi I1GiIy ONcIIltflSCl
"GristmilP' Jones and Selivyn Douglas,
who were active participants in the capt.
tai fight ten years ago, are now in Wash
ington to prevent the insertion of the
temporary capital proviso in the appro-
priation bill and to reopen the charge
against Governor Barnes TO procure his
removal, which two objects accomplished
theer will be nothing to prevent an old
time capital fight with the usual acces-
series. Indeed, it may be said, the capital
fight is already commenced. as the Guth-
RE club, a local organization of business
men, accepting the above view of the
situation, has selected committee to go
to Washington to offset, if possible. the
work of the committee from Oklahoma
City and it is expected that Washington
will be treated to another interesting view
of Oklahoma politics when the two rival
committees come in contact.