The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-14
Mr.. BARRETT IS STILL RIGHI'

C. f. Barrett has sent the following
10 the Oklah0man.
Editor OklahOman II consistency
is Il lever think sou have clearly
proven my claim to ii BY rescuing
from the files, and republishiugs, an
editorial OF mine written for the
shawnee Herald on march %. 1906,
after my return from Washington
When /, and every other loyal Single
Statehood man in Oklahoma and In-
dian Territory, was smarting under
the unfair and unusual conditions
which Car Cannon aud his confed-
ates proposed 70 ntllct upon he
two territories as the price ol state
hood stood then, as stand now,
for the uncontrolled and unrestricted
voice of the people in ne settlement
OF the capital location and every other
question which affects their vital in
terests and their rights rs citizens tln-
der a lee government.
Unlike good many public men in
Oklahoma ! lind nothing In my inter-
ances OF four years ago 10 retract;
4 and ! assert again, and with added
4 emphasis that The location OF the
hcapita Is proposition that belongs
to the people OF The state and that
neither subsidized statesmen, hired
/ Hessians nor real estate spectators
ought to be allowed to combine and
4 fo estal the legislature Of the stase
lin prescribing the method by which
the people may locate the state cap
itat
In that state which has reserved 70
The people ton paper at least) 50
many lights which IN other state have
been granted 10 the legislature. II
y does seem both reasonable and fair
that so important matter as the lo-
] caion OF the state capital. and the
Il erection OF five million doliaF build
| ing as a permanent home for its state
Aofticcrs. Supreme court and lesisla.
Niye departments, ought to be submlt-
BED TO the people on terms that give
Ieyery city In the State a right TO
{compete for the honor. and permelt
eve.y contestant time and opportunity
to present TO the voters its adyant-
ages and the reasons on which il
, rests It's claim TO sepecial consider
alton More than hat, the people OF
Oklahoma have d right 10 know ex-
, actly how much this capitol Is TO cost
aud how much OF this price is 10 be
raised by the direct taxation.
This capital location matter Is a
} proper subject fo discussion and
:. consideration by the people OF Okla
, homa and by ts legislature and Is not
. subject to be disposed OF az at q
4 special election called by peculiar Co
. incident for d date when the far.
mers and hona.fide resldeni taxpayers
4 of the state have their most important
engagements IN the cotton. corn and
wheat fields, aud can not by easor
n their pressing duties give the sub
iect OF capital location and the plan
!, and method OF its hurried remova
!, such consideration as its importanc,
:, warrants.
y said four years ago that 1T Is
Z matter OF no conce, n to the voters o
z the territory al this time, what cltie
: want the capital for the chief concer
of all Is TO preserve to the citizen
of the new state the right 10 pass o
the question when they get ready.
n That sta ement is as true today OF th
II present bill, which was inflated !
the interest Of oklahoma City, as
was then. The right OF the citizen
to lde this capital location ma
te could not, IN my Judgment be Il
n hibited by congress, and certainl
ic ought not now to be usurped by
Ct mere handful OF ambitious politician
nd and hungry promoters.
IL. After q reason period OF dlscussio
should Oklahoma City secure the ca
OF ital by an nnpurchased majority. \
city IN the state VIII applaid ITS
he cation more sinecrely than Shawne
he and sny TO YOU now. what sa
K. to Guth IL more than four years az
III. that Shawnee has nothing against o
ia. lahoma City except her selfish and u
ik. fair attitude on this capital locate
,eA matter,
,d' Very sincerely yours.
Of CliAS. +. BARRETT.
- -----------~-------.----