The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-18
PROPOSED BILL MASS or EVIL

PROPOSED BILL MASS or EVIL. !
Oklahomans are Industrious. pro-
gressiye and Of a public spirit that
meets all obstacles with courage aud |
directness sufficient to win where
less courageous and patriotic state
makers would fail 1t Is apparent to
anyone with reasonable knowledge OF |
the state that Oklahoma will expend
more tax money for new improve
ments ii the nest lew years than any
surrounding state. The new bridges,
roadways, county and municipal build
ings are yet to be made and the tax
payers will meet such necessities
with cheerfulness. at least the great
majority will do so. But to add to the
burden, either in cash or by bonds,
some millions OF dollars for state
CAPITOL building that its leading rro-
ponents admit viii not be used fo
@most four years, appears much as
If someone were afraid the taxpay
ers would not be busy.
But the foregoing is but one Of the
minor wrongs OF the many in the
Z i~IADhhNfts An Flidt 1tlHONIl NEHtllE.
the measure, as 1t is to be voted on,
practically gives three men, appoin-
tees, too, the right to Immediately
use Sj00,100 OF public money, aud to
make such other contracts as their
coAsciences will permit, and some
men, YOU know, are great on expen-
ditures when they get to showing the
funds derived from taxation through
the expense hopper.
Through the sale Of certain school
lands We will have building fund
in the future, and much of that viii
be available when the time arrives
when new state capitol building is
to be erected. But those now trying
/ TO wallup the state into allowing them
to move the capital, can't wait Tor
the proper time-they need the mon
ey and need it now Tney propose
TO start with 100000 and once start
ed, anything less than sudden death
would not stop their eXpending mania.
True, they go out with brass bands
and tell the people that the state is
TO make SO much out OF purchasing
land OF itself, selling it to itself and
then beautlying said land, but the
same appeal contains that 5000 600
as a starter provision.
Refusing to await the legal time
70 start on the capital matter; at the
same time refuse TO allow the great
school land building fund to become
availabe--that Oklahoma City organ
ization OF promote and state wreck
: ers, rush the taxpayers OF this state
up to an election on June H.
the busiest season OF the year for
every farmer in the state OF Okla
hona. Since the agricultural iour
nals OF the state are editOrially tuuu-
deriug against the proposed outrage,
and their news columns areteeming
with letters from farmers protesting
against the outrage it seems there
is method IN the plan for an election
. June Ii.
+ and the people throughout the state
must lose the time enough to express
their disapproyal al the ballot box,
{ Already townlot sharks are issuing
! lots 10 men over the state, seeking
! 10 make the owner Of each lot under
stand a vote to change the capital to
Oklahoma City, might enhance the
1 Falue Of his lot Naturally there viii
q be some selfish enough to be mis-
! led by such tactics. but the taxpay-
err as q rule, measures the future
ard asks of himself which viii be
Z best for permanent gain.
Il Another misleading proposition oil
the t0wnlOt grafters is TO assume and
= teach this is contest between three
Cent al Oklahoma municipalities
Guthrie Shawnee and Oklahoma CITY
r they tell of the Nondrous growth q
r. the metropolis, its places of amuse
n ment, its hotels and transportation
facilities, and lay stress upon loca
ton and appreciation OF state lands
in city where property Is alleged t'
Il increase in value so rapidly.
In answer to the three city con
: test assertion, why one more thai
others? Oklahoma Citys capital G
moNal champions did insert Guthrie
and Shawnee as aspirants for th'
seat OF government, but that was L
fool the people, neither Guthrie o
y Shawnee having twenty representa-
. tive citizens now favorable to doins
? anything about the capital until al
ter 1913 Secondly, the people care
naught fot the places of amusement
when they go to the capital building OF
y business, but, admitting that thu
. theatres, hotels and railway facili
o ties make a difference for or agains
= Guthrie has as good or better hotels
e railways and theatres as found u
E Oklahoma City. Third, the state il
not going to build state house fo
the purpose OF selling II 10 the tirs
g known pnrchaser-th state Will cree
h Is bHldng or buildings TO retain
Is and Il land quadrupled IN value eaci
e year, not a dollar benefit could como
e 10 the state on its own lands. ThOs'
D. removal promoters are SO aceHstome,
y to buying townlots and selling TO th'
s. fret sucker they find, they eyidentl.
% presume the state Is TO engage IA
r lhe same line Of business; that If. !
those fellows ever even thought inr