The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-17
APPEAL IN
PERSON MAY
SAVE HIM
Governor Jenkins Case Is
Regarded as Desperate.
CASE is MYSTERIOUS
Judge Merrick'S Charges
Puzzle the Politicians.

Guthrie, o. T., Nov 16.-Oklahoma has
been subject to a great shock during the
last week-the news Of the likely removal
of Governor Jenkins. The thing has come
with the swiftness Of a tornado.
There have been so many charges and
counter-charges in the past that when
Judge Merriek filed charges against Gov
ernor Jenkins for an alleged deal in the
stock in the Insane asylum, the people
paid little attention to it, in fact regarded
i rs a monotonous joke, not worth
laughing at
When two weeks later Governor Jenk-
ms departed suddenly for Washington
To save his scalp by a personal appeal.
as many believed to be the case, the
territory was dumfourded.
For the feeling in this city and the
territory is that Governor jenkins will
remain as governor only in event Of his
persuasion Of the President to his point Of
view. that re was not personally in the
asylum deal and was not maneuvering
Tor personal advantage.
All informed men agree that Governor
jenkins IS an honest man. He has nei-
Their the cunning nor the inclination TO
play the part that corruption in public
office demands. He is practically without
experience. The most serious charge
made against him by rational men who
have no grudge personal or political
against nim is that he was imprudent,
that ne lacked knowledge of territorial
political methods. and did not foresee
that in politics an unfounded suspicion is
sometimes more dangerous than a proved
fact.
No one has as vet discovered the mo-
tive behind the charges. Judge Merrick
VIII not talk Tt is believed he is acting
under the Inspiration Of some one else.
whom no one has ventured to guess
The report that a special agent had
made a report to the Department Of the
Interior On the matter is not true. The
probabilities are that the only docu-
ments on file in the department are the
original charges and an explanat ton from
Governor jenkins. if he was canel upon
TO make one. which he probably was
If an explanation was made il was not
satisfactory, or Governor jenkins would
not have made the present trip to Wash
ington.
II is felt here that the situation can
be arrested only through a personal ex-
PLANTATION from Governor Jenkins to both
the Secretary of the Interior and the
President. His case is regarded as des-
perate.
Also throughout the territory the feel
ing is rife that in territorial affairs there
IS new force in the White House. a
force that viii act decisively and with
sut delay and that territorial official life
viii hereafter be decidedly uncertain.
It is the concensus Of opinion that in
case Of the removal Of Governor jenkins
Horace Speed will succeed him, and in
case Of the accession Of Speed an entirely
new cabinet viii be formed, and new APP
poinments made with the possible excep- /
ton OF one.
fractional demarcations in the present
situation are lost The territorial organi-
cation. if il could help. would assist Gov
crnor jenkins. Governor Barnes and his
followers are quiescent. and are not tax
ing a hand one way or the other.
None of the known political forces Of
the territory had a hand in fling the
Merrick forces charges which have
caused such prodigious sensation and
may so vitality effect the political life Of
the territory