The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-01
Washington'S Unusual Attitude
TO Situation of Oklahoma.
POLITICIANS NOT IN IT
They Are Not Consulted One
Way or the Other

Ouse- 10 the average Oklanoman, Gov
srnor jenkins trouble is astounding, al
most inexplicable
The element Of politics in the governor
ENHANCEMENT, is practically absent. The
assault on Jenkins. however dubious it's
origin, had no political inspiration. Po-
Atical influence, in trying to save him. ap-
parently finds itself impotent. Neither
The people Of Oklahoma, nor its politi-
Clans, have had anything to DO with the
situation, however much they have tried.
II is limited now that the department of
the interior at Washington, through its
own source Of Information, had knowl-
edge Of the sanitarium matter before
Judge Merrick's charges were filed.
In preceding governor fights, the devel-
opment has been this: The politicians
became offended the people finally took
sides. afiidavits and popular petitions Of
defense were sent by telegraph and by
nail to Washington by the bushel. Wash
lngton always assumed an attitude of
annoyance. The charges were set down
as the Congregations Of political NAL
Ice; the defenses sent in 10 Washington
IN the shape OF petitions praying for the
retention of the governor. were under
pointees of the governor. Washington
said TO itself: This is quarrel be-
tween the politicians Of Oklahoma. The
way to settle q political quarrel of this
kind is to ignore it, and ignore it we
Will The people are satisfied. It is the
politicians who are making the noise.
Now, in the present case, the politicians
have made no assault on Governor .Jenk-
ms. The Merrick charges were fled. and
the people OF the territory took only a
cursory intereSt in them. Washington
either had a special agent in Oklahoma
at the time, or afterward secured one
secretly for almost forthwith the gov
eminent announces that it is seriously
considering the charges; they are brought
before the cabinet; every head of a bu-
reau in Washington knows about them.
and in "A very few days it is known thar
Governor Jenkins is in trouble. No addi-
tional charges We're filed; no petitions
in his defense We're sent in. The inte-
rior department asked the governor for
an explanation. lie gave a perfectly hon
est explanation. He had done nothing
dishonest. and he had no hesitancy in
saying what he had done: the segregated
stock IN the asylum affair was for his
friends. not for himself.
Washington did not ask the opinion of
any politicians of Oklahoma about the
matter; no prominent Oklahoman was
called into conference. The cabinet read
Governor Jenkins explanation From a
suspicion of shrewd manipulation the
members Of the cabinet passed to con
demnation of him because of a lack of
good judgment. an inadequacy for the
position Of governor.
1t was decided then. long before okla |
homa knew that trouble was brewing
that Governor jenkins name would not /
be sent to the senate for confirmation.
Diplomatic relations. as it were. between /
The governor and the secretary of the in
terror ceased. No further word was sent !
10 Governor Jenkins by the secretary.
lie was not asked to resign. He was not |
summoned to Washington. He went of /
his own accord. From the Washington
dispatches It appears that he was power /
less.
The people Of Oklahoma were satisfied !
with Governor Jenkins administration.
They believe him to be honest. conscien-
Jious Most of the politicians admire
him for his qualities although there are
individuals who have been refused re-
quests in patronage who do not like him.
But even these have made no fight on
him
Sngularly. the politicians are having no
part in the selection of his successor. Not
a soul in Oklahoma has been invited to
suggest someone for his successor. NOT
even Horace Speed. No one else has been
rallied fnfo
In other words. Washington is present.
ing puzzling front to Oklahoma. No
tiement asked for Governor Jenkins re-
noVal; yet Washington is preparing to
remove HIM There is no political fight.
po popular demand FOR Washington's ac-
ton. but Washington cares nothing for
demands or petitions
Upon the whole. Governor Jenkins has
the support of the Oklahoma people.
-Four years OF service in the Office Of
secretary induced the people 10 believe
that Jenkins was well fitted TO taka the
position OF governor; vet his official ca
feer in the highest executive position If
oklahoma has been filled with many
things which naturally caused feeling
among the political clements. During
the administration of Governor. Barnes. a
Tight was made On President Ament of tbe
AVA Normal school. This fight was con-
unued under the Jenkins administration.
ana the retention of Ament n3rurau,-
caused some friends Of the governor 10
leel thot he had made a serious mistake.
The removal Of President AIurdaueh of
the Edmond Normal made a sentiment
which caused the impression to be preva-
ient that the administration was nor con-
sistent in removing one normal president
because Of charges and retaining another
president. regardless Of the long-standir-
fight made upon him.
FOLLOWING all OF these matters. came the
Southwestern Normal question. the an
pointment Of q new locating commission
without first asking for the resignation
~ the Barnes commission According 10
the statements OF these men The resfe-
nations would have been eiven had Gov
ernor Jenkins requested thm. The la
cating of the school hy two commissions
ana the bringing ~ an Injunction s.5t
n The Oklahoma county court has ev5-
GENTLY started litigation which WA ra-
be ended for months ia cene. srd J..
would not Zoe surprising II The school Is
nct erected until the next session al The
legislature. II the matter goes over nm
III then. IL is likely THAI the whole pr5va-
sition viii he laid on the table and am
other bin framed
Governor Jenkins undoubtedly is. and
has always been considered an honest
man His motives in regard 70 ihe sari-
tariam stock may have 0cen 1he best IL