Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-22
OF THE BEST STOCK
Settlers in Indian Territory
Spirited and Patriotic.
NEGLECT BY CONGRESS
NO PROVISION FOR BUILDING
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Cities Not Furnished With Pavements,
but Have All Other Marks Of Mod
ern Civilization.
NEGLECT BY CONGRESS
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS
Special Correspondence The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.

BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
MUSkOGEE. l. T., June 20, 1905
AS told you yesterday, Indian Territory
| differs very little in appearances and mate
rial conditions in the personnel of its popu-
lation, its commercial Industrial and educa
| tfonal facilities and in all other features OF
civilization from Kansas, Nebraska, Mis-
souri, and the rest of the western states. 1t
| has certain advantages, also, which are ap-
parent to every one who comes here; and
| its qualifications for statehood are quite as
sufficient as they ever will be- barring the
| increase of population. 1t is assumed by
| the people of both territories that Okla
homa and Indian Territory will be merged
into single state, which will have about a
| million and half of the most intelligent,
energetic and prosperous people on Gods
footstool. and nowhere can you find high
er degree of patriotism or civic pride or
public spirit.
composed mostly of young people repre-
senting the best stock of the older states,
enterprisinS, courageous, full of zeal and
seif-confidence, most of whom have brought
with them the moral standards and prin-
ciples in which they were born and bred.
There are many adventures, of course-the
same percentage that is found in all new
countries-but they soon detected and
placed In their proper class.
Trades and Professions Organized.
While there is usually greater degree Of
liberation in new communities of the west
than Is found in the eastern states, the peo-
pie are equally critical and equally jealous
of their regulations. For that reason the
various professions and trades are organ
lied more closely and do better team work
than is common in the east. The Bar Asso-
citation Of Indian Territory and Oklahoma,
for example. Is thoroughly organized for
mutual advancement and the protection Of
the professional reputation of the bar. The
members of the bar are mostly young men,
recently graduated from eastern inStitu-
tons, and they have organization of
which any state might be proud. The doc
tors have their association, also-all young,
vigorous, up-to-date men. The editors, the
merchants and the bankers, like ether lead
ers of thought and action. have recognized
the advantages of cooperation and are Ur-
ganized to promote the mutual welfare,
usually in close utilization with their breth-
rem in Oklahoma. Every town has COM
mercial club. merchants association, a
chamber of commerce, or some other organi-
zation under a similar name to do whatever
is necessary to keep up the local reputation,
encourage public spirit and promote public
interests The Bankers Associa ton, which
includes both territories, recently held its
annual convention here, and some interest
ing facts were brought out at that gath
ering.
1t will surprise most people to learn that
there are COZ banks in the two territories,
and 321 were represented al the association
meeting. Indian Territory has us national
banks and 13S private banks; Oklahoma
has 05 national banks and 256 private
banks This Is an average of one bank to
every $500 people. Only eight states In the
Union are better supplied with banking IA
cilities The two territories combined with
their 100000 population. have more ma
tional banks than thirty-five of our states.
The city of Muskogee, for example, has
four national banks, six state banks and
two savings banks.