The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-11
CONGRESS-
TO TACKLE.
Senator Clark of Wyoming
Visits Indian Territory.
WOULD BE A GOOD THING
Thinks Joint C o m mitte e
Should Investigate Affairs

Guthrie, o. T. Sept. IA Muskcges
dispatch says: United States Senator
Clarence D. Clark of wyoming left the
city >this evening for Washington. after
a stay of several days in this city Sen
ator Clark stopped in the territory tc
investigate for himself the conditions
here. He STAGED that his attention was
directed TO this country by the press re
ports so numerous in the country at this
time of adverse conditions. boodling and
injustice. He IS a friend of J. Blair
Schoenfelt, Indian agent here. and has
spent much of his time while in the terri
tory as the guest of the latter.
Il am convinced that the people of the
East are not posted on conditions here,
said Senator Clark. The people Of the
east do not know the west as the people
of the west know the east. We western
folks have to be marched in a line before
the fasteners and counted and tagged
before they know we are here al all. But
the progress that has been made by IN
dian Territory in spite of the conditions
which they deplore has been truly re-
markable- 1t is a surprise 10 me.
Il believe that an investigation of the
conditions in this territory by a joint
committee of congress OF BY the COM
mittees on Indian affairs of both houses
would be a good thing. 1t would place
the people here right before congress.
believe that if the proper showing be
made By the people of the territory at
the coming session of congress they will
be siven an Investigation.
Senator Clark was asked what in his
opinion would be the result Of the cleo
tion of a delegate-to congress by the con-
vention called for that purpose to meet
this month.
Il do not believe the delegate will be
seated. replied the senator There is
no precedent for il and it would be con-
trary to all laws. / believe that the In
dian Territory is entitled to self govern
ment at once. 1t should have statehood
as soon as possible. 1t viii be given self
government as result of the agitation
that is being made now II this be follow
ed by action of the right sort by the peo-
pie here. ] am in favorsof statehood for
all OF the territories. each one by itself.
l lived for twelve years as citizen OF
a territory and know what it is 20 be
denied the rights and privileges OF citi-
zenship by reason of geography. I am
in favor Of statehood for each Of the ter
ritories. They are all entitled 10 It, There
should be no politics in the matter. The
new states win probably all be Demo-
cratic, and I am a Republican. but the
citizenship of our people is paramount to
politics"
Senator Clark was pleased TO observe
that Mr. Schoenfelt. agent for the five
tribes. had not been mentioned in the re
port of Special Agent Brosius. Nearly
all of the other officers in the territory
came in igor adverse comment. a stack
Of charges as high as that freight car
said the senator. as he gazed out at the
long Katy freight train that passes IN
front of the principal hotel. would not
make me believe that Colonel Schoenfelt
is guilty Of any dishon asty or indiscrc-
ton. He is not that kind Of a man.
How about the others? was asked.
The senator did not reply directly He
does not know the others so wen. This
is a country of wonderful opportunities
and resources said he.