The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-06
LET US KEEP FAITH

LET US KEEP FAITH
Facts are important in discussing
any event which interests the multi
tude In the matter Of removal of
the state capital fact stands oui SO
boldly ana so strongly no one can
gainsay.
The enabling act said when the mat
ter might be discussed.
The people accepted the enabling
lct.
Other contention amounts TO
naught.
But, moreover, had there been no
enabling act; had the people their
own discretion about change which
is now proposed, there would be the
fact thar the proposed bill is too full
Of errors. there are too many places
where graft may creep in.
Accept the statement of the BOOM
ers fog the bill, in effect, that there
will be no graft; that the state cap
ital removal commissioners will be
honest men--why, if such be true, do
we wish to place temptation in their
path? What the reason for allow
ing them unlimited license to exploit
the people?
Honesty never seeks the test. Hon
est men do not ask they be tried
ere they be accepted as the servants
of the whole people. We are ap
preaching serious place; there ba
those who wish to locate the cap
ital city. They want and assert they
shall have immediate action-that ac
ton giving them power to expend
money wrung from the taxpayers ol
the state. Why not ask of these mel
what their purpose? Why give then
unlimited power?
The people of Oklahoma expect tC
have to pay well for many of the mod
ern blessings s-realize that that which
brings the highest comforts may moi
always come as cheaply as in some 10
oalities, but they do ask for breast
works: they do know there ought tt
be stopping place.
No one is so foolish as to believe
there is the slightest chance 10 10
cate the states permanent capita
prior to 1913. Even the wild-eyet
schemers from the Canadian bottoms
do not assert contrawise. Therefore
il is pertinent that we ask each othe
why this expenditure OF some 5000.
900 at once: what good object is &
be obtained?
All this talk Of q contest betwiX
Oklahoma City and Guthrie Is mer'
twaddle. There can be no capital 10
cation contest that interests one cit.
more than another Whatever ex
pense of change is made, Will b.
tnken from the taxes of alone lo
cality paying proportionately, wit
the other.
Federal authorities established tn
capital until such time as the stat
might wish to change. We can no
change thai enactment-would not
We could. Oklahoma Is not in III
reputation column. We need a bi
lion of dollars to make the improve
ments demanded-we will never &c
them by trying to Eepudiate cor
teacts with the Federal government.
Oklahoma has TOO much at stake
the average man caring less wher
the state seat of government is lc
Gated than whether or not the requil
ed capital be secured 10 carry int
effect the needed improvements 70
his community Rather than miss, h
rlight assist some one not in his i'm
mediate locality. but Ii is certain
there is no large number OF voter
who understand the question, willini
tc spend time and money to boos
some peculiarly poos real estate spec
ulation in the bottoms below or aboy
Oklahoma City to get the state sea
OF government
That explains why from every coun
~ of the state-eyen from Oklaha
ma county, comes messages to Vou
mo" on the state capital Location
bill. Legitimate business in Oklaho
ma City does not need this false busi
ness--it is CITY big and poweriu
enough to prosper without semblanc
CT graft. Bu, those who seek TO des
poll the taxpayers, in the name OF
eify they disgrace, ask that the PEG
ple OF Oklahoma, contrary to thel
agreement with the government o
the Unitedast violate all pledges
and Immediately locate the capital
Where the location would be made 4
ol no Importance we promised uncl'
Sam that We would allow this to q
over until 1873.
fet us keep the promise. Guthrie
not unmindful that she might win th'
contest now ard for li'time to come
asks no such faSore. II fwopld ebe !
violation of a sacred compact.--'twon
lie wrong to the whole people OF ou
state.
Get .nis matter out of the way. A
hes, Il can't be right; Twill never Do
other than wrong. It is a contes
ta forever estop those who seek. De
rsrse of state progress, to take ad
vantage OF the ignorant in other iands
Let MS say in no misiakable terms
the people Of this state are now an'
win forever be opposed to townsit'