davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-03-22
THE AKIN BILL.

In the past few months we have all
heard much discussion relative to the
so-called Akin bill which proposes the
abolition of fourteen of our state in
stitutions.
On the one hand we have witnessed
an overweaning desire on the part of
the taxpayers in the counties in which
not state institution is located to get
their names upon the petition required
by law to bring the Akin bill to vote,
and on the other we have, likewise,
heard a terrific hue and cry on the
part of the towns in which are located
the state institutions proposed to be
abolished in opposition to the meas
ure.
This phenomenon is manifestation
of bot hextremes. The sane and prac-
tical course undeniably lies about mid
way between the two.
The Akin bill, il anything, is tax
reduction measure. 1t proposes to
abolish fourteen of our state institu-
tions, and why? Obviously, for no
other purpose than to reduce taxes.
Let us see, however where the Akin
bill viii lead us: For the mainten-
ance of the fourteen state institutions
proposed to be abolished by this bill,
the legislature appropriates annually
the sum of $956,000 On the per capita
basis this is but drop in the bucket
of the amount of money We pay out
each year in the form of taxes. Some
one has figured it out that on each
$1,000 valuation We pay total of 26.S
cents to produce this amount Clearly,
therefore, the Akin bill is of little ma
terial help in the way of reducing tax
alton
The Oklahoman agrees with all well
informed men that this state has too
many state institutions. We could dis
pense with at least half a dozen of
them without in anywise crippling our
educational system. But the Akin bill
goes entirely too far. 1t proposes a
wholesale onslaught upon the educa-
tional system of the state, which is
neither justified by existing conditions
nor warranted by a sane regard lor
the future welfare of the state.
The san. practical and sensible way
of abolishing the needless and unnec
essary state institutions is for the leg
islature to refuse appropriations for
the maintenance of them for the pres
ent. The time in all likelihood will
come within the next decade or so
when all these state institutions will
be needed in order to properly educate
the youth of the state But that time
is not here at this date. In the mean
time we should cease maintaining un-
institutions in order to re-
duce taxes to the lowest possible limit,
and yet not destroy the entire eduea.
tional fabric in the state in order to
give vent to pent-up tax-burdened feel
ings.
AS we have remarked before. the
tax burdens under which we are at
this time smarting, are due in little
measure to the amount of money which
is collected for state purposes The
trouble lies at home. We are spend
ing altogether too much money for
the maintenance of county and mnnic-
ipal government. We are voting too
many bonds; spending too much money
in building public institutions and in
iulging in the luxury Of too many
public improvements in order to enjoy
The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-03-22

homa and the state in the big Mis-.
souri, Valley oratorical Contest at Des
Moinas in May. have submitted their
theses to the judges. The six en-.
trants whose theses receive the high
est gradings viii enter a forensic con.
test where the representative will be
designated. The man winning first
honors in oratory in the local contest
will receive the handsome render
medal awarded each year for excel
lence in oratory by Mr.. Render OF
Lawton
A prominent Oklahoma moving pic
ture film manufacturer has made a
proposition to take moving pictures of
the buildings. scenes and activities of
the university 1t would take pretty
good camera to catch Bennie Owens
little bunch of speed fends" in ac-
ton.
The University Chess Club has been
dormant for some time but declares
it is about ready to move 1t is to
hold tournament which will begin
soon after March u. The winner is
to receive a'rophy.
Judge Abernathy of the superior
court of Shawnee, lectured before the
law students last week on the Courts
of Oklahoma" He went on record as
opposing the judicial recall and gave
his reasoss.
DR.. Newell Dwight Hills, one of the
brainiest and most widely known lee
turers on the American platform, ad-
dressed the students Tuesday after
noon and evening of last week. He
spoke under the auspices of the Uni
versity Lyceum Bureau. His themes
were "Oliver Cromwell and THE
America of Today and Tomorrow"
Both addresses were masterful in the
extreme and held the large audience
captivated throughout. In the last
the great lecturer sounded
with clarion voice the note of optim-
ism. He proclaimed his faith in the
future of America and backed his
declarations up by facts and figures
delightfully."- sugar-coated with new and
humorous illustrations. DR.. Hills pre-
dicted that within $50 years the Unit
ed States would have a population of
! 200 millions of people and that a
great part of this number would live
west of the Mississippi river. He de-
clared that the area in the basin west
of the Mississippi river and south of
the Missouri, comprising Oklahoma,
Texas and Louisiana is des-
tined to become the great commercial
center of the world by reason of the
Panama canal and the great water
ways to which the section is tributary.
Besides being one of the worlds great
est lecturers, Dr. Hills occupies in
the most historic pulpit in
the United States He is also pro-
life writer.
The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-03-22
GOVERNORS VIEWS ON TAX
QUESTION IN A NUT SHELL

Oklahoma City. March 1s.-We are
running this state government just as
economically as it can be run under
present conditions.
The cost Of state government in
Kentucky. whose area is half that Of
Oklahoma, is twice that Of this state.
The actual assessed valuation OF
property in Oklahoma. as fixed by the
state board of equalization, has not
yet reached it's true constitutional
value.
The individual property owner and
voter in Oklahoma primarily are re-
sponsible for the high taxes in this
state.
Democracy stands in the open and,
with uncovered heads. bears every bur
den that properly belongs there; but
/ do object to charging the democratic
party or any other party with respons-
Utilities it does not own.
Do you know that hero in Oklahoma
City this year upon the increased
value of all of the property as fixed by
the state board of equalization, in or
der to pay the interest on your bond
ed debt and to provide a sinking fund
to ultimately pay off that debt, it re-
quired levy Of S.S mills?
Twice as much money is being
gathered in Oklahoma City to pay in
terest and sinking funds on money you
already have spent, as is gathered
here for all purposes of state govern
ment. If there had been no raise in
values here by the state board of
equalization it would have been neces-
sary for you to have increased the rate
of levy to 7.6 mills in order to meet
this fixed charge against the people
of Oklahoma City
II you have your magnificently paw
ed streets, your splendid water-works
system. and all these modern conven-
fences you must pay for them. If the
state of Oklahoma persists in doing
in three, four and five years, what
older commonwealths have taken 25,-
% and 100 years to accomplish we
shall have to bear the burdens.
You talk of you rtax burdens, and
yet you go on piling up your debts,
voting more bonds.
Three hundred and seventy-iive |
thousand dollars is the amount of
money you Oklahoma City people pay
for interest and sinking fund not one
penny of which can be used to run
your government.
| believe that one-half of the taxes
that the people of Oklahoma are pay
ing are taxes that they have voted
upon themselves In the form of bond |
issues OF every character.
There are two ways to correct this
condition--one is to stop the outlay of
money you are voting upon yourselves
and you alone can accomplish this; |
and the other is to elect TO office only /
such men as will honestly administer
the affairs Of the people when elected
In the approaching election your bal
lot will determine the type of men
who will administer your local affairs
for the next two years; the members /
of the legislature, who will deal with
state affairs also will be of your choos
ing. If you get incompetent men, it
will be, in large measure, your own
fault.
Another way YOU can materially re-
duce the cost of government in this /
states is to reduce the number of men
upon the official payroll | believe
in and stand for a reduction OF off
The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-03-22
STATE CONVENTION
|NSTRUCTSFORT T.R.

Guthrie, Okla, March 15-With no
wounds inflicted that will not heal, it
| is declared, when the presidential cam
paign opens, the republican state con-
vention adjourned at o'clock this
morning, after electing ten delegates
at large to the national convention at
Chicago instructed to vote at all times
for Theodore Roosevelt; electing
George Priestly of Bartlesville, the
Roosevelt candidate, as national com
mitteeman, choosing five presidential
electors and selecting Ed Perry of
Coalgate to head the national delega-
ton
List of Delegates.
The delegates alternates and pres
idential electors chosen are:
First district-Delegate at large,
George Brett, Ponca City; Ed A. Nc
Kean, Guthrie; district delegates, Dan
Norton. Chandler; Mat Disney, Bill
ings; elector NJ. w. Hinch, Kinghsher;
alternates at large, James B. Cullison,
Enid; }. B. Erwin, Lincoln county.
Second district-Delegate at large,
A. L. Mcdonald, FL Reno; Ed Herrin,
Apache; alternates, Jack Jones, Okla
homa City; B. j. Hobbs, Ellis county:
district delegates to be selected by the
Clinton convention tomorrow; elector,
George Nickle, Alva.
Third district-Delegate at large.
L. s. Skelton, Okmulgee; Gilbert
Wood, Okfuskee; afternates, G. NJ.
Hughes, Checotah; Luther Kyle, Sc
quoyah county; two district delegates
elected at Tulsa yesterday for Taft,
John G. Gilliland, Holdenville, and
Joseph a. Gill, Vinita; alternates, P.
j. Hudson, Wagner and Harry Levy,
Muskogee; district delegates, for
Roosevelt, A. A. Small, Tulsa, and A.
IS. Davidson. Claremore; alternates,
w A. Stewart, Okmulgee, and Simon
r. Walkingstick, Tahlequah; elector,
NJ. B. Howzer, Tulsa.
Fourth district-DeIegate at large,
Ed Perry, Coalgate; Tom Wall, Po-
teau; alternates. William Noble, Nc
Alester; Ed Butler, Durant; district
delegates, C. w Miller, Hugo; j. A.
Ramsey, Ardmore; elector, ]. G. Rails,
Atoka
Fifth district-Delegates at large,
Ewers White, McLoud; Tom H. Dwyer,
Chickasha; alternates, H. L. Hicks.
Jackson county; H. D. Porter, Wash
ita county; district delegates to be
elected by district convention yet to
be called; elector. ]. G. Atkins, Jack
son county.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
ReceptIon for Rev. Mr.. Saunders.

Quite unique reception was tender
ed Rev. w. H. Saunders by the men,
bers and friends OF Wayman chapel,
A. NJ. f. church, last evening. in ap-
probation of his earnest labor and re-
turn as pastor for another conference
year. 1t will be remembered how the
church struggled last fall TO save their
church property and succeeded in re-
ducing the debt from S1,572 to s1,l50
1t was decided in a business meeting
to arrange a thanksgiving rally and
three days bazar to raise the entire
Indebtedness, and repair the church,
which is so much needed. Two hun
dred dollars has been pledged if the
entire amount Is raised Therefore,
the church is calling upon all creeds
and those of no creed TO assist in this
most worthy cause. All solicitors
books and papers will bear the pas
tors name
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
CHORDS AND DISCORDS

tiers at his commodious home
on Aiken street. A few days
ego he wandered to the park
for an inspection and was sur
prised to meet one of his ducks
trailed by seven youngsters.
They had the grounds entirely
to themselves. The colonel
learned that the mother was on
duty in an out of the way nook
when he was assembling the
feathery family for transfer
and refused to be disturbed by
tempting calls. Colonel .Gaet-
jer reported the discovery of
the belated flock, and his good
wife ordered that they be given
a selected position on the roll
call at winter headquarters.
Colonel Gaetjer's friends are
specializing whether his next
stag will be a duck dinner. We
would not be surprised if we
were invited.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
SILVIS WOMAN IS
100 YEARS OF ACE
Mrs. Hannah Bellinger Passes
Century Mark in Posses
sion of Faculties.
FAMILY REUNION IS HELD
Descendants Down to Great Great
Grandchildren Present-Native
Of New York.

Mrs. Hannah Bellinger of Silvis is
today celebrated the one hundredth
anniversary of her birth. She Is a re-
Darkable woman, still in the posses
SIGN of all her faculties and deeply
loved by large circle of relatives
and friends. She makes ner home
with her daughter, Mrs. Fannie
Brooks of Silvis, and her children,
grand children and great great grand
children are spending the day with
her
Mrs. Bollinger was born in New
York City in 1872, going from New
York to Niagara in 1852 by horse team.
In 1894 she came to Chicago by way
of the Erie canal, coming to Geneseo
later. She made her home there IN
I'll eight years ago, moving to Moline
and later to Silvis, having made Sill
viz her home for the past four years.
WIDOW Fl YEARS.
Her husband died 81 years ago and
four of her six children born have
passed away. the two living children
being Mrs. Fannie Brooks of SiIvis,
and Mrs. William Echert of Annawan.
Mrs. Bellinger each day helps in
tie household work and weekly does
ali the family mending. She is bless
ell with second eye sight and many a
younger person might well envy her
her skill with the needle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
GROOM WITH TWO SUITS.

NMaquoketa, Iowa, Sentinel)
The bride is a charming and anna.
BILE young woman with a large circle
OF admiring friends, and wore an ele-
CANT wedding gown of white chiffon
ever white brocaded satin, trimmed in
baby Irish lace draped waist and pan
Ter skirt and white silk gloves. The
groom is popular and genial young
man OF excellent habits and high am
titions, and wore a full dress black
bioadcloth suit. The bridesmaid wore
a neat gown of soft light yellow taffe-
tn silk, trimmed in snk embroidered
net' and wore a silver bead band on
her hair and carried a shower bouquet
OF white roses The groomsman wore
suit OF dark blue serge The going
away suit OF the bride was a black
end white diagonal striped cheviot
with a waist of black and white strip
ed messaline. trimmed IN green SILK.
Large black velvet hat trimmed in
Hack French plumes and gloves to
match. The groom's travelling suit
was a nobby brown English cloth pat.
tern.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
ISN'T THIS LEAP YEAR, MARYt
Chicago Tribune.)

Moline, Ill. Nov. 5.-(To the Friend
Of the People. when desiring recent.
ly to join the progressive party by
becoming a charter member, the ques-
ton naturally arose in my mind.
Where do ], as an alien woman,
stand in relation to this party, and
Why should join Il or any other
Farty?" Being a Scotchwoman, domi-
ciled about seven years in this coun-
try. and in heart and sympathy as
much a progressive American" as |
know how. / yet realize that / cannot
claim the right Of an American and
u'st my position in regard to any
state or national matter can be MOTH
lug more than one Of sympathetic in
teTest
Any questions I have asked so far
as 20 how an alien woman can become
an American in Illinois have been
net with ambiguous answers-one be-
ing that only in marrying an Ameri.
can man can a woman become a sub
Jcct OF the stars and stripes.
AS this would by no means suit ev.
cry alien Eoman-although personal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09

of jewelry, and that day wore
her new earrings. The camera
man made a note under the
picture stating that Mrs. Jen-
hns was wearing for the first
time her $4,000 diamond ear
rings and that they were the
envy of all the women of the
congressional family. That lost
me the votes of all the jewelers.
in my district and their families
and possibly a few folks who
refuse to give an honest man
credit for approaching his wife
to the extent of buying her a
trinket occasionally"
80 you are not of the opin-
ion that your standing with
the old guard on the tariff and
other measures affected your
prestige among the people of
your district?"
That's the veriest rot. I've
been in congress 18 years and
I don't know any more about
the intricacies of the tariff
schedules now than did my
first term. How could the av-
GRACE man be expected to
know?"
DO you plan to continue
your residence among US after
you retire, congressman"
Il am growing too old to re-
enter the political arena and it
is likely l may spend little of
my time hereabout after my
term expires. You see, my
wife has become interested in
srt, and she spends much time
abroad. l suppose she will ex-
pect me to accompany her
when lay aside my official
duties"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
TRI-CITY GREEKS TO
GO ON WITH CHURCH

Despite the fact that 700 of their
numbers have been ca.:ed back to the
mother country to join the army in
the war against Turkey, the Greeks
Of the three cities are going ahead
With their plans for a tri-city church
to be erected in Moline. Application
has been made for a permit to build,
but a temporary delay was caused by
the refusal of the authorities to grant
it till certain plans TO insure against
FIRE danger have been taken. Orig
ilslly it was planned to expend $780,
600 on the structure but the call to
arms interfered with the raising OF
the fund and but $1,000 has been col
lected.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09

Brush Electric Light company for
lighting the city for the next three
years. was signed by his excellency,
the mayor. yesterday.
Last night, shortly after the ferry
had retired for the night, a stranger
Jumped on the dock on the Davenport
side, with the deliberate intention OF
drowning himself A citizen was on
the dock al the time, and Immediate
~ seized the man and pulled him ont
The stranger politely thanked his res
cuer. said he would take another trip
soon and walked on.
The game at the Rock Island park
yesterday between the Rock Island
and Moline Browns fairly set
tied forever the question as TO the
superiority OF the local team over
tho Moline contingent. Il fixed the
rndisputed fact that Moline can do
many things but she can't play base
ball. Moline was completely van
cuished, notwithstanding the fact that
contrary 10 mutual agreement, the
Browns imported a catcher, Irvine
ham. the Peoria backstop, who a Dor.
tion Of last season supported Cunning.
ham in the Central Illinois league,
The Rock Islanders were composed of
Sage. catcher; Brown, pitcher;
Grimes. shortstop; Rispen. first base;
Scherer. second base: Brough, third
tsse: Olsen. left field: Baker, center
field; Weisler, right field; all home
players.
The score is attached:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09

ly I admire and confess the charm,
stability, and honor of the ideal Amer
lean husband would prefer to know
by what other lawful means an en-
ii. ely independent woman can at least
be eligible TO vote on the school board,
and ultimately, l hope. on further is
sues. MARY LINDSAY-OLIVER.
An unmarried alien woman may be-
come naturalized by the same meth
ods employed to naturalize an alien
man. After five years residence she
applies TO the clerk of federal court
or any state court of record, and
makes a declaration of intention Not
less than two or more than seven
years after that date she must apply
for final papers.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
The Valley Clarion
GOOD MAN LOSES.
BY J. NJ. c.

Our faithful congressman,
Mr.. Jenkins, went down to de-
feat at the polls last Tuesday.
We were prepared for the
news. So was he, though he
did not realize until the closing
days of the campaign that the
tide had turned against him.
Yes, / have lost" said the
congressman, and I am not
blaming anybody in particular.
The people usually get what
they want and they manifestly
reached the conclusion by a
large majority that they favor
ed my opponent"
ITO what do you attribute
your defeat?" we ventured.
That's not an easy question
to answer before / have fully
analysed the situation. Of
course many ugly lies were
spread about me. one of which
was in effect / was paying
$1,000 a year house rent in
Washington. Another was that
my wife didn't wear the same
kind of clothes at home as she
did at the capital"
Don't you believe there
must have been deeper
causes?"
Possibly. The last batch of
seed I sent out faxed to grow
In some sections. Then, you
recall the accident to the Cher
w county man who was a men,
Der of a delegation that came
to the capital to push the Apple
1ver harbor appropriation. He
FED from a street car at night
and broke leg and a bottle of
red liquor. He went back home
ard told his family and friends
he was my guest and that I was
showing him the city when he
net with the mishap, which de-
parted materially from the
facts. At any rate that story
lost me the prohibition support
and the votes of a number of
Church hypocrites, who pur-
chase Peruna by the case"
True, congressman, but
don't you believe your position
On legislation had something to
do with the outcome?"
Then the blamed photog-
raphers did me considerable
harm. My wife attended a lit
tie affair one afternoon and
was snapped with a bunch of
fine women. My wife is fond
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
DUCK DUCKS CHRIS.

While on a trip to Rock Is
land we learned of a pretty
little incident illustrative of the
wisdom of the duck. G. Gaet-
jer, one of our out of town
subscribers who pays prompt
ly and saves US dunning efforts
and stamps, is now superin-
tendent of parks in the city.
Two weeks ago he removed the
park fowl to their winter quar-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
The score is attached:

word for it--try II yourself on an alb
solute guarantee, get a package and IL
you don't get relief you can get your
money back for the asking Browns
Digestit is little tablet easy to swa,-
low and absolutely harmless. II d.
eests all the food. preyeats fermenta-
ton. stops gas formation, prevents
stomach distress after eating. aids as
similation. and relieves indigestion In
stanily. Harper House pharmacy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
A New Remedy for Indigestion
Gets Country Wide Endorsement

The new remedy for indigestion call
ed "Digestit" has been found a Ger.
tain quick relief and permanent rem
edy for stomach disorders Letters
from thousands who had suffered the
tortures OF indigestion and got relief
from the use Of Digestit are evidence
OF its merit. The enormous increase
in demand from every part OF the
country is proof Of it's popularity But
you do not have TO take snybodys
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-09
OLD FRIEND VISITS

j. Bear, formerly county
scat merchant, one of whose
suits we are still wearing, was
a visitor Tuesday. Though it
was many years since they
parted, he recognized the suit.
Mr.. Bear is now commissioner
of public works in the county
capital and a popular and eff
Gent officer.