The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-28
Fight OF FIGHTS
Is Oklahoma to Have Another,
in Capital Removal Contest.
EXCITEMENT OF THE FIRST
Marked Many of 0klahoma's
Most Thrilling Episodes.

winter? Apparently Oklahoma is. The
suggestion of the controversy over the
capital came I'D in the attempt to force
| the resignation of Governor Barnes this
month. The Guthrie people said the at
tempt was part of an Oklahoma City
plan TO. take the capital from Guthrie
The Oklahoma City papers laughed al
this Interpretation. While the capital re-
moval matter may not have figured in
the fight on Governor Barnes, it is fgur-
ing in the construction of the Rock
Island-Santa Fe line from Kingfsher to
Guthrie, even if slightly and with honors
divided evenly between Kingfisher and
Guthrie in respect to railroad advantage.
But the chief reason for anticipation of
a capital removal fight next winter is
that the inhibition against capital re-
moval inserted annually in the federal
appropriation bill is not therein this
year. This congressional inhibition was
the result of the prolonged, bitter fight in
1890 for the removal of the capital. The
interior department insisted, as a result
of that fight, that congress provide that
the capital remain at Guthrie for a period
ecualling the life of the contemporary
congress. This year the inhibition has
been omitted. The bars are down. If
they are left down, the next legislature
will take hold of the question and in the
distribution of all the public institutions,
fur will fly
The capital removal fight in Oklahoma
gave Oklahoma its most exciting political
events for they have not been equalled
since. Governor Steele vetoed the bill To-
eating the capital at Oklahoma City and
the bill locating the capital at Kingfsher
In the first instance he did so because of
a mutual dislike between Oklahoma City
and himself: why he vetoed the bill To-
eating the capital at Kingfsher has not
been satisfactorily explained, but on the
face of the record, merely because the
legislature did not take a suggestion
which he twice made and which he seem
ed to be fascinated with, as a great idea.
This suggestion was that all the aspi-
rants for capital honors in Oklahoma put
in offers in land and donations for the
apital and that the city making the best
offer. receive the award.
The first legislature of Oklahoma did
not meet in January as is usual, but in
September of, 1890, and it remained in
session for the remainder of the year. The
legislature met, and in spite of the fact
that a code was to be adopted and other
important measures to be considered, lit
tie else was thought of before the open
ing session but the capital question. The
orga nization of the legislature hinged on
mems. personal choice in the matter of
capital location. A coalition" a word
much overworked in those days was
formed. The bill locating the capital at
oklahoma City was at once introduced
and every step in its progress was fought
At one time the coalition came
very near being broken. and the capital
located at Hennessey. Early in Septem-
Der the capital question was put off few
days, but it came up again. Every time
it appeared crowds rushed into Guthrie
from all towns. Oklahoma City gave
reception and banquet to the legislature.
at this time was with Guthrie
as against Oklahoma City. On Septem-
Der 16, in the midst of great excitement
the council passed the bill locating the
capital at Oklahoma City. It passed by
seven to six, and at that time the vote
Of seven to six" was famous. for it
bobbed up every time the capital ques-
ton bobbed up. The house was expected
to pass the bill the next day. It referred
Il to committee instead The strain
was very great. Guthrie threatened Okla
hCma City with Kingfisher; Oklahoma
City threatened Guthrie with Kingfisher
The vote in the house was always four
teen as against twelve, as seven stood
against six in the council While the bill
was in committee Perkins and Saltwater
Joined issues on the location of the agri-
cultural college and threatened the unity
Of the coalition. On October l, 1890, the
house. by a vote of IA to u. passed the
bill locating the capital at Oklahoma City.
Jchn Wimberly. a member. however, Sc
cured an insignificant amendment which
necessitated the bill going back to the
council. 1t went back to the council
where Guthrie had in the meantime secur-
Il one of Oklahoma City's men and ex-
pected to kill it then and there. But a
member from Beaver county who had
always been for Guthrie switched 10
Oklahoma City, amid great excitement
and Oklahoma City wen This was Octo-
Der >. That night Speaker Daniels Of the
house signed the capital removal bill, and
-ook it from Clerk Peery and tried to get
President Gardenhire OF the council TO
sign it. Meanwhile mob had congre- |
gated and took out after Daniels and !
2eery, tearing the clothes OF of the lat !
e. and threatening TO mob several peo- |
DE. particularly the member from Beaver
county. a Mr. Grimmer. Finally in q
iaal vote in the house on the Oklahoma I
-ity bill, the Kingfisher members broke /
away from Guthrie. and the Oklahoma I
lily bill went 20 Governor steele. This (
moment was enc Of the creates in ex- I
element Oklahoma viii ever see
October 13, 1880 was a memorable day /
n Guthrie Governor Steele vetoed the 4
ill locating the capital a. Oklahoma I
lily. There were fireworks and speeches !
It Guthrie and horn-tooung. In effect /
he veto said that the bill was rot. as had I
'eeu charged Illegal or imperfect IN +
orrn. The governor did not believe that i
Z had been passed through corrupt use +
e money. although mat had been charz-
u editorially. He thought that @ capital 4
osated By act Of the legislature with the
concurrence OF the governor would be
7gai; otherwise many capitals would
tand on lettering foundations. He
bought that in locating capital some
pportuni1y should be given for oompe-
it.on by donations Of lands or money
Nothing % the kind Is TOW Suggested
Nlso- 1T i not urged thai Oklahoma
lily is more healthfuI location o. more
entraL L does not pretend % es:ahl-a
permanent capital by The donation -