The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-01-11

young men and women who. realizing
that in the states the opportunities
for commercial advancement were
limited, sought th9 opulent fields of
the territory, in the belief that heir
labor would result in more profit to
them in the new field They are in.
Itellectual. bright industrious. and
law abiding citizens. They once en-.
ioyed the blessings of local self gov
ernment, but today they are shorn OF
any power to govern themselves, or
to speak through any duly authorized
Representative in congress with refer
ence to legislation enacted by the ma.
tional congress for them.
Mr. Lloyd: Excuse me- What do
yo umean by saying that they once en-.
joyed the benefit Of self government?
Mr.. Foley; l mean while they lived
in the states.
Mr. Lloyd. Oh! | beg your pardon
MIR. Foley The congress of the
United States is the legislature Of the
territory. It is more than that nj
occupies the unique position of being
the city council OF every municipality
"A the territory. It enacts laws gov
erping the affairs of the cities, as
well as the rural districts
In the Indian territory there are 29'
towns already surveyed and plated
IN three of these the population aggre.
gates more than 10000 each. while
there are 12 towns in the territory
which have a population today Of more
than 5000 each. The last report of
the special agent of the interior de-
partment in the territory, which is
based upon statistics gathered more
than a year ago shows that there
were nearly 400 towns in the territory
with population Of over 200 people
In addition to the towns above men.
toned, many other towns have grown
lup. and since the statistics which are
embodied in that report We're gath.
cred nearly all of these towns have
doubled hoir population. The taxable
valuation of the town property in the
territory alone can be conservatively
estimated at s75,OOO0 900 Buildings
now under construction projected will.
within the next year, bring this total
t up to moro than s200OOO.00O. The
aggregate value of the mineral re-
J sources, agricultural lands, timber
Z lands, and other resources of the ter.
ritory cannot be even surmisei. Suf.
fee it to say, in this connection, that
there are the richest coal mines In
Indian territory found in any state
weet Of the Mississippi river Our
{ oil, asphalt, gas. and other mineral
deposits are today attracting the at
tention of the world.
! What we want, gentlemen, is some
) oen who can come here to the national
congress, bearing proper credentials
/ from the people and give expression
of their views with reference to ma.
tional legislation for the government
of the people of the territory. Our
people are growing weary of occupy
l ing the humiliating position of a beg
y gar eyery time they want anything for
D the territory. Whenever we want any
e thing We are compelled TO come to
!. congress and trespass upon the time
E of some member of the house or sen.
: ate, who, realizing our helpless condi
e tion, takes pity upon us and assists
us. While our present condition is
I Ditiable, we feel that as American cit
( liens we are entitled to respect in
stead of pity. II you will give us a
I delegate in congress to look after our
interests we will command your re
u spect
, AS it is today, we are not even as
good as the Malays in the far Off pill
k ippines To those far distant islands
you have sent more than a thousand
\ school teachers to educate the young
Filipinos and 10 teach them the high
e e rand nobler lessons of citizenship
}. You have accorded Porto Rico a com
p missioner; who can look af er the in
g terests Of that island You have de
e priyed us Of the right to tax our owl
e citizens for the maintenance Of public
e schools except in the cities and TO
T. day We have the dreadful condition
# existing With nour borders of 10000
y children who should be In school
y growing mp instead In ignorance
y which, in turn. means vice No schoo
g teachers have been sent to our ter
: ritory 70 educate these unfortunate
children, and no authority has beer
conferred upon the people 10 lev!
Ifaxas To adncain The chlIdran evcnn