The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-12
GOV. FERGUSON TALKS
viii Investigate Complaints
Made in Charges.
PROBATE JUDGE FEES
Become a Disturbing Element
in Oklahoma Affairs.

Guthrie. o. T, April 1.-THE matter
OF irregularities in proving up townsites
in the three new counties grows and in
creases as the days pass by. Charges and
counter charges fill the air. and serious
I consequences are threatened. The Okla
homa City Oklahoman today prints a
story that is believed to be inspired by
one Of the probate judges in the new
counties. a man who has been under
serious fire in the past. and who would be
Influenced in giving out the story as
matter OF self-preservation. The Oklaho-
man says:
The Oklahoman has secured reliable
{ information that the governor ana attor-
ney general Of Oklahoma territory have
been and now are into a deal with the
probate judges OF the counties IN the
iKiowa-COmanche country, whereby they
dropped the investigation of official cor
ruption against the probate judges by
agreeing upon a division Of the profits
made from Illegal fees in the sale of town
lots.
Last summer the charge was made
that the probate Judges of the new coun-
ties were demanding and receiving an
illegal fee Of $3.50 per lot, which was not
provided by law, for services which the
law contemplated should be given free of
charge. At that time, il will be re-
nlembered. an investigation OF the matter
was started by the attorney general, who
was then Jerry Strang. TO the surprise
OF the people of Oklahoma who demanded
this Investigation, the matter was sud
oenly dropped after visit by the attor-
ney general to the county seats of the
counties affected. Up to this date it has
been impossible to secure any satisfactory
information concerning the matter from
the territorial officials who then started
out with such bombast to put an end to
the official corruption.
1T has been developed that instead Of
taking steps toward the suppression OF
the irregularity and the removal of the
judges, the attorney general of the terri
tory went down and made deal with
the probate judges whereby he would al
low them to continue their illegal pro-
oeedings in consideration OF a division of
the proceeds. The amount to be paid to
him was TO be fifty cents out of
ment was sanctioned by the governor of
Oklahoma. When the change in governor
ship occurred there was no change in this
arrangement. showing that Governor
Ferguson was a willing heir to this ille-
gal bequest.
Not long ago there was a change IN
the Office Of attorney general. Strang
was let out and Roberts Of Kinghsher.
had made the deal personally with Strang
figured that the agreement was at an
end. because OF the nature Of the contract
1t was assumed that Strang would not
post his successor. They anticipated a re-
newal of the trouble. for they did not !
know what kind Of a man Roberts might /
be- But they had not figured that Cover |
nor Ferguson was IN the deal on the rake /
of.
a few days ago the probate Judges
we're astOnished 70 receive letter. which /
stated that Mr.. Strang was continued in /
the townsite deal on the lines 50 far con- /
Quoted by him.
This letter was signed BY T. 3. Fer /
guson. governor. and J. c. Roberts. /
attorney general Of Oklahoma
Under this arrangement the Illegal /
collection Of fees for deeds by the pro /
bate Judges Of the new counties VIII con- /
tinue. so cents Of each fee of $50 to go /
TO the ex-attorney general OF the territory /
by and under the direction OF the gov
ernor and present attorney. general
Since receipt of the letter the probate
judges are preparing 10 continue as before
the collection Of this money from pur-
chasers of town lots, secure in the agree
ment that they Will not be prosecuted or
interfered with by the territorial govern
ment. To add 70 this security they have
in their possession the letters signed by
the governor and attorney general"
The above charges are vigorously con-
demned here as untrue. outrsg geous and
libelious beyond expression. Suit viii
be brought agains the paper making
them.
Governor Ferguson. when seen this
evening regarding the Okdehomsn's re-
port. said:
Z win advise the attorney general 10
prosecute every ofense committed ly
the probate Judges and other officials in
the counties of Kiova, Comsnche and
Caddo counties. whether relating 20 The
deciding OF town lots or otherwise. and
I wish further to state that II any of
LtltSe CltIe-tsLS nave LrtA EAA-- OF A4ll-- i
tons NJ the law. ] VIII remove them
Continuing, the governor said. II be-
lieve that all of the probate Judges have
violated the law. and have not complied
with their agreements made 70 ex-Attor-
ncy General Strans when he counseie5
them this winter in regard 20 their duties
in the matter OF proving Up and issuing
deeds To lots IN the new toVusites. Each
of The judges promised 20 be bound ~ tie
given tEem bT 1he l2te attor-
nev. general. and il seems that they have
taken advantage ef The leziercv shown
them n further perpetrate their e1tor-
tions On the settlers. The WORK Seems 20
he direct hoid-up and Z have 10 re-
s-zct ard 81. 2 exercise 20 lz-leucy. Z tie
fsc-s ars - reported The attornsy
ices have been eXtorticnate. and ca my
advise. 81 many eases been cnt 90 oze-
lfth of The amount claimed, and Be- some
Instances dfsancved altogether Z wish
,o state thac this matter u.ll resolve ry
prompt ana earnest sttsltoa. ana lt
what now seems 70 he true develops - De-
& tsc,. V.l Immediately r tns
cE 1acrs
Fresn tae remarss ra1e 81 Governor f
Flrsusea. Attorney General E.euaerts ana
-Alterner Generai St-anr. s lesFn4
test sfpsr rate actions wa iad E7sr
trs usfaheue1 Cog crtllrel Intl i1 tre
-,,s rlf i-s rfrr 81 -tsa Z -tfc-e above