Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-17
Objects to New Name for Indian
Territory.
PROPOSED TO CALL IT JEFFERSON
Iowa Congressman Takes the Broad
Ground That States and Territories
Should Not Be Named After an In
dividual-ShouId Be Indian Names.
Washington, April Is.

much opposed to the name
tentatively selected for the pro-
posed new territory, now Indian
territory-the name Jefferson. Major
Lacey takes the broad ground that no
state or territory should be named af-
ter an individual, no matter how dis
tinguished he may have been or how
much beloved
Mr. Lacey says States and terri
tories should be given Indian names.
These names are many of them beau
tiful; they possess peculiar rhythmic
combination of syllables that makes
them distinctive. They all mean
something. They do not lose their
beauty of sound and the public does
not weary of them
What more beautiful or expressive
or distinctive names could possibly be
imagined than "Mahaska," "Minneso-
ta,'' Iowa." "Oskaloosa" Colorado,
"Dakota?" These are all Indian
names, and each title has a signif-
canoe, applicable to the particular sec
ton of the country to which it was
3 applied.
Some years ago, at the time of the
s establishment of the territory of Colo
RADIO, there was a great wave of senti-
ment in favor of bestowing upon that
territory the name Lincoln" The
Territory of Lincoln; that was what a
vast number of the people wanted.
They loved Abraham Lincoln and very
properly they desired to perpetuate in
every possible way his name. but time
has demonstrated that this should not
have been done by naming a territory
for him.
There can be no comparison be-
tween the names Colorado and Lin
coin for state or territory. Colo
rado' is an Indian name that has a
meaning and this applicable particu-
larly to the land included within the
boundaries of Colorado. The name
Lincoln, applied to that territory
would signify nothing and would be
a constant source of annoyance to the
people residing within its limits.
Washington affords an illustration of
this. At the time of the formation of
tthe territory in the extreme north
west there was also a great wave OF
sentiment in favor of naming that
territory washington" and against
the counsel of wise men this was done
1t was great mistake. AS a result
of this blunder men from the state o.
Washington are compelled to employ
quite large part of their time in eX
planning where they are from. wash
ington" may mean dozen places; thu
capital of the country is Washington
there are many towns of Washington
The man from the extreme northwest
must, when he gives his place of resi-
dence, say he is from the Estate OF
Washington" and then apologize tha
he is compelled to make the explana
ton. Had the same blunder beer
made in naming Colorado the either
of that state would have been similar
ly embarrassed.
There is an especial reason why
the Indian Territory should have ma
tive name. Any good native name
will do: Territory of Muscogee," Ter
ritory of Chickasaw," Territory o
Cherokee" any of these, or other In
dian titles would be in harmony will
the situation and the effect upon thu
Indians, themselves, would be good
The name Jefferson should by n,
means be bestowed upon the terri
tory-to-be.
Assistant Attorney-General Wi
liam E. Fuller, departed for his HON
in West Union, Iowa, last evening.
is stated that Mr.. Fuller returns t
Iowa to attend to business matters
The nature of this business is not di
closed and cannot be Appropriated
the absence of direct information frol
Mr.. Fuller. 1t is limited that the tri
may have some political significant
in connection with the COMPRESSION;
contest Mr.. Fuller was made assis
ant attorney general at the instig
ton of Congressman Haugen, VIII
seeks a nomination in the Fourth di
trict, for a third term. Mr. Hauge
has the hardest kind of opposition j
the person of former State Chairma
J. E. Blythe of Mason City. 1t is COZ
coded that Fayette county, the HON
of Mr.. Fuller, will constitute tn
storm center, both Blythe and Hauge
seeking to gain the delegation. TIL
lines are being closely drawn in Fa
cite county and very naturally M
Fuller is favorable to a Haugen del
CATION of which there are two; or
representing either faction; fir
choice in the convention. The figl
is becoming very warm in Fayett
with the Blythe men very active al
sanguine, and it is thought not unlils
~ that Mr.. Fuller has been requisite
to return and lend hand in the figh
-
Much speculation is being indulge
in in the house as to whether or n
Congressman Hepburn will speak u
on the pending Cunan sugar bill
is well known that Col. Hepburn is c
posed to the administration measui
being the only Iowa congressman
openly oppose consideration of the b
voting mo- on the rollcall. 1t is st;
ed that Col. Hepburn will make
speech, although he himself says
does not know whether he will or n
Col. Hepburn opposes the granting
concessions to Cuba on principle.
takes the ground that this governme
is under no obligations to Cuba
yond turning the affairs of the isla
over to the new government in go
shape This will be done, formal
May 20, at which time we of1icia
wash out hands of the enterprise (
tered into by the United States neal