The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1911-07-14

$l,O00,000 contract when due has
brought some of the original advocates
of the Putnam site for the capitol into
the open again in favor of the latter
site. In a letter written by former
Governor Haskell for his weekly news
paper, the former executive expresses
the hope that the people of the state
will be patient with Oklahoma City,
but he declares that it is to be re-
gretted that the capitol plan was not
worked out along the original lines.
J This reference, of course, is to the
Putnam site.
The Daily Oklahoman, which orig
inally was favorable to the Putnam
site proposition, takes hand in the
comment and in an editorial says, in
part:
1T cannot be gainsaid that the prop
osition made by I. M. Putnam and his
associates did more to secure the cap
ital location for Oklahoma City than
any other influence. 1t has not ap-
peared just that they should have
been deprived of the opportunity of
making good. 1t has appeared less so
since the group that was awarded the
location has appeared in the role of
passing the hat.
These comments of the former gov
srnor and the Oklahoman taken N
connection with remarks heard quite
generally in Oklahoma City lead to the
belief that if special session Of the
legislature were called to untangle the
free capitol muddle the legislature
again would be thrown into another
fight over sits, which would have the
effect of complicating the situation. 1t
also is the opinion of many in the
state that an extraordinary session
would be the signal for several cities
that always have had capital aspira-
tions to get into new contest for the
location.
Former Governor Haskell said fur
ther, editorially, that if Oklahoma City
failed to make good on its free capitol
promises, after having been given a
Reasonable opportunity, the matter
then should be submitted to the peo-
pie foI another vote on the location.
In view fthe admission of the Capt.
tol Building company that the north
east site proposition is impossible of
realization under present conditions
there seems to be little consolation
for Oklahoma City in the remarks of
the former executive relative to an
other vote. Haskell stands pledged to
the free capitol idea, and if he would
? aspire to future political favors in Ok
lahoma, must do all in his power to
bSing about realization of this plan
Talk of the New Jerusalem" plan
of locating the capital is being reviv-
ed generally in Oklahoma It is said
that if something is not done toward
carrying out the free capitol scheme
in the near future former Senator
Campbell Russell again will circulate
petitions for vote on his New Jer-
usalem" plan for locating the capital
upon site to be owned and controlled
by the state, the lots to be sold by
the commonwealth for the benefit of
capitol building fund.
1t has been learned from reliable
source that former Governor Haskell
has been asked to take over the re-
sponsibility of raising the $1,000,00
pledged by the Capitol Building COM
pany for the erection of the capitol
This proposition Haskell has fatty re-
fused to consider.
Rumors that the former executive
would favor Muskogee for the capital
should the matter of location again be
} reopened are also set at rest by an
authoritative statement that Haskell
/, has told the people Of Muskogee that
he would not assist that city in secur-
ing the capital because in his opinion
\ it would have the effect of checking
the present business growth of the city
and for the further reason that Mus
skogee is too far from the senter of the
state to be feasible location.
/, 1t is said by men who have sounded
I the sentiment of the>state at large that
unless the free capitol is forthcoming
( within a few months Oklahoma City
would stand greatly reduced chance
of securing the location should the
matter again be submitted to direct
ivote of the people. The chief hope of
Oklahoma City, in case it cannot real
ize from the northeast site proposition
within a reasonable length of time, is
to secure a special session of the leg
islature and induce that body to make
an appropriation to begin work on the
icapitol This proposition is being ad-
lvocated openly by some of the promo