Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-19


The foreign or white merchants In tho
Creek nation earnestly protested and
openly declared that they would not pay
the tax. They declared that 1t would ruin
them financially If they were compelled TO
do so. One man told me that half of the
merchants doing business in the Creek ma
ton would be compelled to go out or pusi-
ness. and he said that one firm In TINS
impression seems to- have been purposely
conveyed to deceive the public. for citizens
meetings were held and associations were
organized Of other people than taxpayers,
for the protection and defense OF the inno-
cent traders who were compelled TO sHfrer
such wrongs.
Doors Closed by Inspector.
On the I'd of June, the protests sent to
Washington having received no attention.
Inspector Wright ordered the Patterson
Mercantile Company and Cobb's Drug CON-
pany, at Muskogee, two OF the most fmpoi-
tant retail establishments in the territory,
to pay their license fees. AS the proprie-
tors still refused to do Sc, he closed their
doors in the name of the United states
government. and placed over them guard
of Indian police, with instructions to per-
init none but the proprietors to enter.
There are two kinds Of police in the
territory. The inspector has force OF
mounted and armed men to keep the
peace. prevent the sale OF liquor and other
contraband goods, and to enforce the
laws Oh congress anu tHc T06uAo<sOAA~ ~
the Indian Office throughout the territory;
while each city and town has ordinary po-
lice to preserve order, under the direction
of the mayor.
when Inspector Wright carried out the Or
ders of the department at washington
and several persons who attempted TO deIy
his instructions and force their way into
the stores that had been closed. and were
prevented from doing so by the Indian
guards. went to the mayors off1ce and
swore out warrants for the arrest OF the
latter on the charge of assault and bat
terry. The guards were taken to jail by
the municipal police. The next morning
the case was heard in the police court. pre-
sided over by the mayor. The latter held
the matter under advisement for several
days, until public excitement subsidized and
then discharged the Indian guards on the
ground that they were only doing their
duty and executing the orders Of the gov
eminent of the United States.
Cool Reception by the President.
In the meantime cyclone of protests
had been directed at Washington. The
telegraph wires were kept red hot with re-
monstrances and committee hurried on
to seek the Intervention OF the President
and demand the removal of Secretary
Hitchcock. They demanded that the en-
forcement Of the law should be postponed
until the case could be carried to the Su-
DTome court Oh the Cnlteu 0tdtcS, UuI
that was only a subterfuge. because the
Creek nation will not exist after the 9th
of March next and the tax law would be OBJ
solete before the case could be submitted.
The committee that went to see the Presi-
dent met with a cool reception. Secretary
Hitchcock was supported In his position,
and Inspector Wright was ordered to pro-
coed with the execution of the judgments
of the circuit court of appeals and was
authorized to use such support as was nee
essary.
When the merchants of Muskogee had
cooled off little they began to realize that
they had been a little hasty in defying
the authority of the United States. Wiser
counsels prevailed. Mr.. Haskell and Mr..
Jackson, two of the most prominent cit
liens undertook to conciliate the federal
authorities, and telegraphed Secretary
Hitchcock for a few days grace They
gave him assurances that the taxes would
be paid without further resistance, al
though under protest, so that the rights
of the merchants may be protected pend
ing an appeal to the Supreme Court of the
United States. But I am pretty sure this
is the last you will hear of it. Some of
the leaders of the agitation are already very
much ashamed of themselves. Others will
be more so when they realize fully the
ridiculous attitude in which they have placed
the white residents of this territory before
the rest of the country Many fear that
the incident may influence the prospects of
statehood and will be glad to have it for
gotten soon possible.
The amount of the tax is trivial The
total collections under this law In 1902 were
only $4,000, the back taxes for 1903
are estimated at $35. 900, those for 1904 at
$4,000 and for 1905 between 10000 and
$4,000. The largest establishment In the
territory, which Is credited with bust
ness of half million dollars year. would
have to pay only about 81 800, estimating
that they allow themselves profit of 30
or 35 per cent on their sales. The tax is
only 50 per $1,000 upon the wholesale cost
of goods.