The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-01
WANTS T ORGANIZED
Contributor at Purcell AdVo-
Gates the Movement
TO GIVE INDIAN TERRITORY
Regularly Constituted Terri
tOriaI Government.

Purcell, 7. T., Jan. 31-To the Editor of
the Eagle: The movement inaugurated
by Judge Yancy, ex-United States judge
of the central district calling for a con-
vention Of representative citizens in In
dian Territory for the purpose of discuss
ing needed legislation, is meeting with a
hearty response from the business men of
the territory. The call, which will be
made in few days, will prabably desig-
nate Purcell as the place for holding the
convention. A repres entative body Of the
Intelligent thinking, conservative class
will be in attendance. The present de-
plOrabIe condition of the inhabitants of
Indian Territory demands immediate ac-
ton on the part of congress, and this con-
ventiOn vii forcibly bring to the atten-
ton Of the present session of congress,
the conditions that now prevail. While
there is a diversity of opi1aon in regard
10 the details, it is now believed the con-
ventfon viii be nj favor Of the immediate
erection of a territorial form of govern
ment
The legislation enacted by congress in
=
ings, orders, decisions and suggestions,
Of the various commissions have only
succeeded in rendering more chaotic the
conditions that at that time prevailed. At
present the opinion of the most ignorant
full-blOods in the territory is worth more
on any legal proposition fixing the status
Of inhabitants here, than is the opinion
OF the most profound jurist Business in
all lines is paralyzed, the courts are be-
ing Overrun with unlawful detainer suits,
and the jails are being filed with per-
sons to enforce their believed rights with
shOtgun, Winchester and sixshooter It
has been said by prominent citizens,
within the last three weeks that the
rivers Of this country would run red
with the blood of land Jumpers unless
some immediate action and decisive ac-
ton was taken by the government to pre-
vent the controversies arising over land
claims
There are now estimated to be living
within the borders of the Indian Terri
tory 100000 Indians. whites and negroes,
whose status in the United States t1vern-
ment is not even that Of the Cuban,
Hawaiian, Porto Rican or Filipino. They
are political outcasts and government
orphans. and are forced to beg at the
back windows of congress for that which
as American citizens they have the in
herent right to go to the front door. and
demand. 1t is Inconsistent with the ma
ture of American citizenship that the con-
Gitfons can longer prevail.
The convention soon 90 be held win
bring this matter in a forcible manner to
the attention Of the national legislature
and il Is not at all improbable that a
solid trainl5ad Of representatives will go
to washington and present the request Of
tile people The old. pigeonhole route for
legislation IN tl1is country has made the
lnhabitants sick and sore Of this method.
The expectation that government en-
ployes whose salaries depend on a con-
tinuance of the present condition, will
recommend A change. will not be realized,
and the time seems ripe when decisive &C
ton must be taken to bring about the de-
aired results.
A territorial government with officials
elected by the people to whom they will
be responsible will the most quickly meet
the requirements and the prevailing SEN
timent in this section indicates that con-
gress viii be asked for legislation neces-
sary to that end
(Signed) TERRITORIALlST.