The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-01-14
FOIay's Plea
Desires to Secure Delegate in
Congress to Look After
the Interests Of In
dian Territory


gregates 600, 900 people, who are
living without any form of govern
ment save that which is afforded
them by the Federal Courts. These
600, 600 white people are equals, in
point Of intelligence, Of any similar
number Of people residing in any
congressional district or State in
the Union They have come to
Indian Territory from the states,
many Of them being she cream Of
your own constituency. The inn
migration to the Territories has
been composed largely Of ambitious
young men and women who, reali-
zing that in the states the opport-
unities for commercial advance
ment were limited, sought the OPP
uleut fields Of the territory in the
belief that the labor would result in
more profit to them in the new
fields. They are intellectual,
bright, industrious and law-abid-
ling citizens. They once enjoyed
the blessings Of local self-govern-
ment, but today they are shorn Of
any power themselves; or 10 speak
through any duly authorized repre-
sentative in congress with reference
to legislation enacted by the Ma
tional Congress for them.
THE congress Of the United
States is the Legislature Of the
territory. It's more than that. It
occupies the unique position Of
being the City Council Of every
municipality III the territory. 1t
enacts laws governing the affairs Of
the cities as well as the rural dis
tricts.
In Indian Territory there are
2oz towns already surveyed and
plated. In three Of these the
population aggregates more than
10, 900 each, while there aretwelve
towns in the territory which have
population today Of more than
5000 each. The last report Of the
special agent OF the Interior De
partment i'll the territory, which is
based upon statistics gathered more
than a year ago, shows that there
were then nearly 400 towns in the
territory with a population Of over
goo people.
III addition to the towns above
mentioned many other towns have
grown up, and since the statistics
which are embodied in that report
we're gathered nearly all Of these
towns have doubled in their pop
uiation. The taxable valuation Of
the town property in the territory
alone cun beconservatively estimat-
ed at SIS, 600, 900. Buildings now
under construction and projected |
will within the next year bring
this total up to more than S7oo, 900
600. The aggregate value Of the
mineral resources, agricultural
lands, timber lands and other re-
sources Of the territory can not be
surmised. Suffice it to say in this
connection, that there are the rich
est coal mines in Indian Territory
found in any state west Of the Mis-
sissippi River. Our oil, asphalt,
gas and other mineral deposits are
today attracting the attention Of
tina world.
Whit we want, gentlemen, is
some one who can come here to the
National Congress, bearing creden-
tials from the people, and give ex-
preston to their views with refer
ence to National legislation for the
government Of the people Of the
territory Our people are growing |
weary Of occupying the humiliat-
ing position Of a beggar every time
they want anything for the terri
tory. Whenever we want any
thing we are compelled tc come to
congress and trespass upon the
time Of some member Of the House
or Senate, who realize our helpless
condition, takes pity upon us and
assists Us. While our condition,
is pitiable, we feel that as Ameri- |
can citizens we are entitled to re-
spect instead Of pity.
If you viii give US a Delegate
in Congress to look after our inter-
ests we will command your re-
spect.