The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-29
HITCHCOCK
GETS MANY
PETITIONS
Concerning the Distribution
of ToWnSite Funds.
MONEY BADLY NEEDED
But There Is No Town Gov
eminent 10 Receive 1t.

Washington, Sept. 2S.-Numerous petit
lions have recently been received by the
secretary Of the interior from the people
OF Kiowa, Comanche and Caddo counties
in Oklahoma, asking for the setting aside
Of d considerable sums of money out Of
the aggregate amount derived from the
sales OF lots in the county seats of An
adarko. Hobart and Lawton. Many Of
these petitions contain hundreds Of sig
natures. They ask for setting aside Of
Jumps of money for the establishment of
country roads, the grading and macada-
mixing OF streets in the towns. the estab-
lishment of sewerage systems, the con-
struction of waterworks the building Of
school houses, and other necessary i'm
provements.
Up TO the present time no decision has
been reached as to how the money will be
expended. Affairs are still in a some
what chaotic condition in the new coun-
try. City governments have not been
established in Hobart, Lawton or Ana
darko, and it is doubtful whether they
viii be within the next six months. I'm
der the laws Of Oklahoma a man must
have a residence of six months in the ter
ritory ii order to participate in local
elections. The great majority of the peo-
pie in the three county seat towns come
from the states and are not eligible to
vote in a city election. These men are
among the largest property holders. They
have invested money in town property
and should, at least have a right to par
ticipate in the elections for city officers.
At present only few Of the people in the
cities are qualified voters-those who have
resided in Oklahoma for more than six
months. If an election should be held
now they would be the only people who
could vote, while those men who have
gone to the towns from Kansas, Texas,
Arkansas, Nebraska and the other states,
could have no voice in the selection of
city officers. This, too, notwithstanding
the fact that they are the largest property
owners. The belief prevails therefore.
among the officials of the department that
the elections for city officers and the es-
Enlistment Of city governments will be
delayed for d period of six months so as
to give all of the property holders an
equal right TO participate in the selection
of their city officers and in the selection
of their city officers and in the formula
ton OF their city governments.
This condition viii operate to the ad-
vantage of the cities. While no definite
decision has been reached, the under
standing has been that the secretary of
the interior would authorize the distri-
button Of 200 derived from the sale of
the townsite property, upon the recon-
lot 0f
officials. The county officers having been
already appointed, can secure the amount
which VIII be expended for county i'm
provements without further delay. but
until some arrangement is made. whereby
some commission or board can act for the
cities they viii receive not funds. as at
present there is no one to whom the ex-
penditure of the money can be entrusted.
The act providing for the opening OF the
county contained a provision limiting the
expenditures for the construction of court
houses in the three towns of $4,000 each.
Since then the people Of Lawton have
asked for the setting aside OF $4,000 for
court house, while at Anadarko they
would be content with So. 900. and at Ho-
bart with 10000 In other words instead
of expenditure of $4,000 for court houses
as the law provided, the people OF the
three towns now want $4,000 The prop
osition is not looked upon with favor at
the department. In the first place. the
secretary could not authorize the expendi-
ture of these amounts even If he desired
il would require further congressional
LEGISLATION to construct the court houses
upon the elaborate plans now being urged
by the citizens Of the three towns. Ii
seems probable that the secretary viii
oppose any. congressional legislation look
ing to the expenditure OF so large an
amount OF money for the construction Of
court houses. He believes that these
funds should be. expended 50 as to give
the people the greatest benefits. This is
the plan urged by Assistant Commissioner
Of the General Land once General Rich
ards. and the secretary viii be largely
guided by his recommendations Cover
nor Richards suggests that good sewera ge
systems, waterworl1s. clean streets and
school facilities are of far greater TN
portance 10 IN epeople Of the towns than
handsome buildings. HIS ideas meet with
the entire approval of the secretary and
the chances are that. when the alloting
Of the money for the county ard townsite
purposes is made. IL VIII go largely for
the Improvement suggested.
A petition was today received from the
people Of Anadarka. asking for the con-
stulction % two school houses. II was
carefully fined away with similar petitions
for 1uture consideration.