The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-04-12
NEWSPAPER CHARGE
STIRS UP TROUBLE
Officials Threaten to Bring
Action for Criminal
Libel

The scandals growing out ci tne
proving up OF townsites in the Kowa I
ana con.anche country. have broken
out areh and win in oil Likelihood 7
result in suits being brought against
the probate judges OF Kiowa, caddo
and Comanche counties with the view
OF their removal from Office.
The alleged scandalous condition OF
affairs in the ne wcountry was shown
M in more glazing light by the ap-
pearance Of sensational article in
Yesterdays Oklahoman directly charg-
ing Governor Ferguson, Attorney Gen
era, Roberts and ex-Attorney Gener-
al strang OF participating in the di-
vision of the townste spoils and 1t is
stated that at last one, if not all OF
the accused officials will institute
civil and criminal action against the
offending newspaper for libel.
The Alleged LibeIOus Article.
ed in the Oklahoman is as follows:
in the Oklahoman is as follows:
"Tbe Oklahoman has secured relia-
BIZ information that the governor and
attorney general Of Oklahoma terri
tory have been and now are into
deal with the probate judges OF the
counties ir.e the Kiowa-Comanche
country. whereby they dropped the
investigation OF official corruption
against the probate judges by agree
ing upon 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
counties we're demanding and re-
ce,viue 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, it will be remembered an
Investigation Of the matter was start
cd bv the attorney general, who was
then Jerry strang. To the surprise OF
the people Of Oklahoma who demand
ed this investigation the matter was
suddenly dropped after a visit by the
attorney general to the county seats
Of the counties affected. Up TO this
date it has been impossible to Sc
cure any satisfactory information con-
cernIug the matter from the terri
torial officials who then started out
with such bombast to put an end to
the official corruption.
An Alleged Deal.
1T has been developed that instead
Of taking steps toward the suppress
sion Of the irregularity and the re-
moyal OF the judges. the attorney gen.
eral OF the territory went down ana
made deal with the probate judges
whereby he woH5 allow them to con
tlnue their inceal proceedings in con-
aideration Of division Of the pro-
.ceeds. The tnoart To be paid TO him
was to be 50 cents out Of each $3.50
collected asa this arrangement was
sanctioned by TIE governor Of Okla
homa. w aa the change in governor
ship occurred there was no change in
this arrangement showing that GoTer-
nor Ferguson was willing heir to
this illegal beluest
mot long ago there was change
in the Office Of attorney general
strang was let OFT, and Roberts Of
Kinghsher was appointed. The pro
bate judges, who had made the deal
personally with strang figured that
the agreement was a an end, because
Of the nature Of the contract it was
assumed that strang would not post
his successor. Ttey anticipated a re-
newal OF tho oa.ie for they did not
know what a.-l OF man Roberts
might be- But they had not figured
that Governor Ferguson was in the
deal on the rake-on.
includes the Governor, Also.
"A few days ago the probate judges
were astonished TO receive a letter
which stated that Mr strang was con
tinued in the townsite deal ION the
lines SO far conducted by him.
"This letter was signed by 4. 3
Ferguson. governor, and J. G. Rob
berts attorney general Of oklahoma.
"Under this arrangement the lie
gal collection OF fees for deeds by the
probate judges OF the new counties
win continue, 80 cents OF each fe'
OF 81 so 70 go 70 the ex-attorney gen
eral OF the territory by and unde
direction Of the governor and pres