The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-01
PROPOSED
LEGISLATION
PECULIAR
Regarding Regulation of Fees
of Secretary Grimes.
is FEDERAL POSITION
Oklahoma Legislature Has
Little to Do With 1t.
Especial Correspondence of the Eagle.)

| Especial Correspondence of the Eagle.)
Washington, Feb. 2S.-It is rather anus
| ing TO note daily the debate and the in
terest IN the Oklahoma legislature and in
| the territory generally in relation to the
bill to reduce the fees of the secretary
of the territory, William Grimes.
The position of secretary OF the terri
tory is a federal Office. 1t is as much
so as that Of governor, district attorney,
OF marshal. The Oklahoma legislature
will not think of making laws regulat-
ing the fees and general conduct of the
United States district attorney. or the
United States marshal. Yet there would
be as much reason TO that, as in the
proposed legislation with respect to the
Office of secretary of the territory.
The legislature might pass laws regu
lsting fees to be charged by Grimes for
some Of his territorial work, but it could
rot regulate his own compensation. He is
amenable to the president, the secretary
CT the interior and to congress, in
measure, for his official acts-not neces-
sarily to the Oklahoma legislature. He is
appointed to his Office by the president of
the United States, and confirmed by the
senate; the legislature has little to do
with him.
However, IL is not likely that~the legis-
,ation proposed will be very seriously con-
sidered, and certainly not effective if it
should be.
Now that the statehood fight is over,
and the work has been done. even though
it has not borne fruits, it is more appar-
ent than ever that Oklahoma will lose,
next week, the best delegate a territory
ever had in congress. March 4, 1903. will
make an epoch in Oklahoma's history. 1t
will close ten years of most wonderful
growth to the territory and most won
derful achievements; most remarkable
advertisements-due in a very great de-
gree to one MANTLE retiring delegate. r
1t was ten years ago that Dennis Flynn
first became a delegate in congress from
Oklahoma. The territory was then young
and crude; and so was its delegate But
he soon established himself, and began
the hard work for Oklahoma. There has
not been a-session of congress since; nor
a week of session; nor day of a week,
when Flynn has not been doing something
to advance materially the interests of
Oklahoma. His first big fight of course
was for free homes. This took him seven
wears or until 1900. Then it was accom-
plished though the way seemed impos-
sible, every step. 1t has been called the
greatest piece of single-handed legisla-
ton in the history of congress; and it
would have discouraged almost anyone
but Dennis Flynn. 1t gave the citizen of
old Oklahoma sixteen millions of dollars
1t gave Flynn that fall a majority for
reelection, as his reward and as a testi-
monial of grateful appreciation. 1900
This when it should have been 1900
Flynn went to work the next session for
the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche coun-
try-the last of the public domain TO be
opened for settlement His wisdom and
his perseverance were necessary to bring
this about and the results accomplished
bear W illness to the ability with which he
performed his mission. The city Of Law
ton. the splendid young metropolis Of
southwest Oklahoma; the wonderful de-
veIopment and stability of that section
less than two years old; the possibilities
in store-all are witnesses to Flynn's
Judgment and Flynns indefatigable ef
fort.
Next came the statehood fight. What
ever may be the verdict Of the people
as to the result. there never can be the
slightest criticism OF Flynn. He was en-
gagged in an almost absolute impossible
undertaking. but ne went at II as hero
ically as he had gone about his other
haa
thing frightful at times. Days and
nights and Sundays were alike TO him in
the fight Private business was neglected;
everything was sacrificed; and that the
result was as II is. was not Flynns
bringing about
And now, of his own accord, he relin-
quishes his work of ten consecutive years.
and retires TO private life. His success
sor is capable man; other delegates
from other territories at present and in
the past have been of excellent attain
ments: but Dennis Flynn goes home from
the nations capital with nothing but sin
cere regret here at his departure, and
with the firm belief Of administration and
congressional associates that his Ike
never was. nor will be again, as terri
torial representative.
Bert Howard, editor Of the Lawton Re-
publican. has been in Washington week.
and will remain until after Adjournment
Mr. Howard is here TO make his first visit
to the capital as a sightseer, and also on
business OF more or less importance con-
rected with the territory, and Of pri-
yate nature
George D. Orner. special agent OF the
general land Office. was here this week
on business connected with the depart
meut OF the interior and the land Office.
Governor Richards. the new commits
sioner of the general land Office, and the
man ~ whom Oklahoma owes 50 much.
particularly the new country. retains his
great interest in the territory. He ex-
presses himself very freely upon Okla
homa's future and listens with interest
20 everything connected with the terri
tory. He hopes 10 visit Oklahoma in Tire
rear. future r. IL FANoN-