Muskogee Cimeter

The Muskogee Cimeter. Muskogee, I. T., Friday, December, 21, 1906. Vol 8 JUDGE OF ELECTION A DEFAULTER. Hyman K. Lane, financial man at the Indian Agents office and one of the judges of the election in Precinct Ten, District 75, picked out for the place by Clerk R. P. Harrison and A. Z. English, was at the time of his appointment and now is a defaulter. Over $7,000 shortage has been found against him; have said when called to account that it was in the Lafe. He was taken to the Indian Agent's office and pretended that the safe combination was lost and he could not open it. A blacksmith was called in and broke it open with a sledge hammer, but there was no money. Lane then said it was represented by due bills frol the clerks who had overdrawn their salaries during J. Blair Shoenfeld's term as Indian Agent. It looks bad for them all. No wonder they were afraid of a square deal at the election. The whole gang are scarred out of their boots lest they come next. They fear the election of honest men, lest their accounts will be checked up and the whole crowd be kicked into the ditch. M'REA WINS The Most Important Law Suit Tried at This Term of Court. The case of Mrs. Laura MacKey against the M., O. & G. R. R. Co. was tried in the U. S. court on December 14th. It was a damage case and hotly contested from beginning to end. The attorneys for the railroad company used all of their energy and experience to win for their clients, but McRea, the brilliant and able colored attorney, met them at every point. He conducted the cause in such an able and lawyer-like manner that the jury was convinced of his right, and they, without hesitation, gave his client a judgment for $750. It was righteous judgment and Mc deserves great credit for his presentation of the case and the manly fight he made for his client. His success is encouragement to the Negro members of the bar in this city and speaks in tones of thunder for Negroes who have lawsuits. Mc is a pioneer in the art and deserves the success he has won. Mr. Bixby Under Fire. It is stated in dispatches from Washington that charges of a most serious nature have been preferred to the interior department against Tams Bixby, Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes, by Judge Mott, the general attorney of the Creek nation. It is also stated in the same dispatches that these charges are supported by the report of the special agent who made an exhaustive investigation into the facts alleged. The charges, in substance, are that Mr. Bixby has been speculating in townsite lots, advancing his interests in that speculation by using his office. Mr. Bixby is a Republican. He has been the official representative of the republican administration, with almost arbitrary power in the affairs of the Indian. Because he is a Republican, and because the Republican party is and has been charged with the administration of affairs throughout his incumbency is the best reasons why Mr. Bixby should be proceeded against under the charges and the report of the special officer vigorously and without fear or favor. These are not the first charges of turpitude that have been made against the commissioner, but they are made this time in tangible form and the investigation into the truth should be rigid. To some extent the Republican party is put upon trial. In such cases the republican party has generally shown its fidelity to the people by holding its officials to an even more strict accountability than officials of other politics. There should be no persecution of Mr. Bixby, but the party owes it to itsen to prosecute, with particular sincerity every Republican who offends the criminal laws. "The Republican party," once remarked an illustrious Republican judge, "never fails to punish a Republican rascal." It is manifest, however, that the territory is to suffer, over and beyond the townsite spoilation which affects the Indian only, by the matters charged against Bixby. It is stated in the dispatches above referred to that these charges have dispelled whatever prospects there were for the removal of restrictions on the sale of the Indian lands. That much, it is claimed, has been learned by incrviews with congressmen bearing upon these charges. The committee which recently visited this territory is known to favor the removal of restrictions in large measure, but it is said that this exposure showing how easy is the graft, with restrictions on, will defeat the removal of restrictions by this congress at least. Indian Territory seems to have suffered beyond reason at the hands of the men who ought to have been benefactors—Hitchcock and Bixby. McAlester Evening News (Republican). FORAKER IN THE Senate. Washington, Dec. 20.—In the senate today Foraker's resolution looking to an investigation of the president's discharge of the three negro companies of the Twenty-fifth Infantry was taken up and Foraker THE BOSTON EDITOR spoke in its support. He declared that "the president misconceived his constitutional power when he discharged the troops, and he also misconceived the testimony on which his action was based." Foraker said the president's constitutional power was simply command the army and navy as a commander-in-chief, while to congress the constitution gave the power to raise armies and to make rules and regulations for its government. When Foraker concluded his remarks he received unanimous consent to modify his resolution so that it now directs the senate committee on military affairs to investigate the circumstances leading up to the discharge of negro troops. Senator Lodge replied briefly to Foraker's speech and Scott remarked that as he had read the history of the Spanish-American war, the Tenth cavalry (colored) was largely responsible for the preservation of the Rough Riders. "If it had not been for the Tenth cavalry we might not today have the privilege of having that gallant soldier, that splendid president today in the White house," he said. The resolution of Foraker's goes over without action until after the holiday recess. Editor of Cimeter: Sir: I read with much interest the editorial under the caption, "Honored by Enemies Made," in Sunday's issue of the Phoenix. That question, Mr. Editor, applied, after a thorough investigation of facts on both sides of a controversy. and the accused acquainted or vindicated by the decisions of honest men; then and not until then will the same and justice loving Americans will say, "Honored by Enemies Made. All men who believe in a square deal or American sense of justice, will say amen. All men are not criminals and all men are not saints—hence we are governed by law. If those who are charged with fraud, corruption, deception, discrimination, duplicity, embezzlement and wrong-doing in public positions of trust, whether or not he be a lawyer or a doctor; a banker or business man; a preacher or a public office-holder, he should invite investigation and not be found obstructing an honest inquiry, by No 14 Diamonds, Cut Glass, Silverware, Combs, Hand painted China, Ladies Rings, Gents Rings, Baby Rings, Silver Sets, infact every thing to make a nice present. To every lady that buy her Xmas present of me, I will give free a valureble News-Years Gift on January first. All those who have bought send your address and your present will be delivered at my expense. R. A. Given, The Jeweler, 228 North Second St. Muskogee, I. T. free use of money, social and political pulls, refusing to answer letters, destruction of records and evidence, and maintaining a subsidized press agent to browbeat and mislead the common people. Did I misunderstand his position or not. Yours for fair play, and all men up and no men down. DR. M. L. FLINN, December 17, 1906. The Dem and Prps and Pros, at Guthrie are like the old preacher who said "You can and you can't, You will and you won't, You will be damed if you do and damed if you don't." Our boys made a record at San Jaun Hill, that even the greatest man in America can't take from them. Every Negro in America should and ought to be proud of them. REPORTERS DOTS. One gamblers row in the north end to-day and the bulletts flew thick and fast, endangering the life of innocent people passing by. We can look for the same thing to occur on South 2nd St., in the Jones Building if the King of Gamblers does not voluntarily quit, as it seems he has "hoooded" the police force, as well as the others. Thugs, Thieves, Blacklegs, must go. Rentiesville Promoting Co., sold 119 lots last week. It is the coming town for the Negroes in the Territory. Parties from all parts of the country have bought. Reporter. ° Muskogee Cimeter, W. . TWINE, Editor, MUSKOGEE, - ~- IND, TER. a Many an unsuccessful man would rather preserve his dignity than hus tle. Many a boasted family tree looks to others rather more like a scrub oak that is dying at the top. Almost any married man can man- @ge his wife without trouble—if she will only let him, Being forced to work and do your best will breed you a hundred virtues which the idle never know. With hazing abolished and football denatured, how may a college youth get even with his enemies? A Cleveland girl wants’ to enlist in the navy. Most girls are willing, how- ever, to join the navy by marriage. Better do the little thing you can do to-day than wait for the great thing you would like to do to-morrow. The poorest people on earth are those who make the most of what they have and the least of what they are. Those Ohio girls who are asking to enlist in the navy would, if their re- quest should be granted, become tar- tars. It {s proposed to declare that au- tomobiling is interstate commerce, and to grant national licenses. Sen- sible move. Russia is to build a battleship of the type of England’s Dreadnaught— one that need fear nothing but its own crew. c Five submarines have sunk with their crews in the last four years. There seems to be a fatal significance in the name. The automobile accidents make the reckless driving for which horse own- ers ued to be so severely punished Uke child's play. The marriage of a couple in St. Louis was prompted by a joke on mat- rimony. It is dangerous to joke about matrimony. The Cognac is the name of one of 17 balloons which started in the great 8erial race from Berlin, That name should have sustained it. A Pittsburg millionaire eloped with @ 17-year-old girl the other day, It fs alleged that she was not a mem- ber of any of the choruses. Never use what is not your own, mever buy what you cannot pay for, never sell what you haven't got, is a pretty good rule to go by. Persia may be a beautiful country, Dut the shah appears to have beaten the czar several laps in getting a par- Mament Into practical working order. A Berkeley (Cal.) man has invented @ new language which has no swear words in it. Our golfers will doubt- Jess agree that it fills a long-felt want. Rebels in Russian Poland are said to be collecting stores of arms. A few legs and heads will come in handy when the bombs begin to burst again. Life is like the ocean. It drowns one mansbecause he yields to it pas- sively and blindly, It buoys up the Other because he strikes it skillfully and with lusty sinews. The officer who managed the race between automobiles and balloons in Germany, the other day, was run over by an automobile that was not taking part in the contest. People who man- age such affairs should know better than to run around on foot, OKLAHOMA TO START WITH HUGE DEFICIENCY SOME SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED FROM W. J. BRYAN IN LETTER TO CONVENTION, Harrill ve. Harrie Contest Settied by Harrill Withdrawing—Division of Greer County Creates interest— Measures Reported Out, GUTHRIE: Placing especial emphasi upon the necessity of enacting into th constitution of the new state laws pro viding for the contro! and regulation o corporations, giving rights to labor an advocating the initiative and referendum the reading of a letter frem William Jen nings Bryan to the members of the con stitutional convention was the paramoun feature of Saturday's session of the bod; which 1s framing Oklahoma's constitu tion, Mr. Bryan, with his letter, addresse: the following note to President Murray “I wrote you a few days ago expressing my deep appreciation of the honor don me by the convention in inviting m to address it, and my regret that th work which I have on hand prevents +m) acceptance. I then promised to present some suggestions in writing, and thes I herewith inclose, in the hope that they may be of some service to the earnes' men who are engaged in the important work of framing a constitution for the new state of Oklahoma, ‘The following are the essential features advocated by Mr. Bryan in his letter: Freedom of religious belief, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, Jury in equity cases, majority to re- turn verdict. Jury in contempt cases {1 desired. Judges to be elected by the people. Local self-government. Limit upon time for bond Issues, Representation of all parties upon elec- tion boards. Community to bear cost of elections. Direct primary. Initiative and referendum, Control of corporations, Municipal ownership. Franchises to be granted by vote of the people, Legislatures to have plenary power In matter of taxation. Labor laws, fixing time of work day and minimum age at which children may be employed. Arbitration of labor dif- fleulties, A supplementary report from the special committee on expenses of the constitu- tional convention Saturday morning was submitted as a second report. the first having been withdrawn the first part of the week at the request of the chairman of the committee, Mr. Asp. The second report fixes the total esti- mated cost of the convention delibera- tions at $226,000, or a sum about $20,000 Jess than the previous estimate submit- ted by the committee, The item of $40,000 estimated as the cost of the convention printing is still main- tained, although Chairman Asp of the committee stated in presenting the report that the committee had no means of re- Nably or even approximately estimating this item, The figures submitted, according to Mr. Asp, are based on the fact that the aver- age cost for printing at the different ses- sions of the Oklahoma territorial Jeg.«- lature has been about $20,000, As the constitutional convention is composed of & membership of over double the number in a legislature, Mr. Asp argued that it would be proper to suppose that the printing expense would be double that of the legislature. The report went over until Tuesday, when it was to be made a special order of business. A recapitulation of the committee's re- port is as follows: Estimated cost of first election. .$52,270.00 Estimated cost of printing..... 40,000.00 Estimated convention expenses, . 49,980.00 Estimated expenses second elec- THOM cecccsceeeesseeerserseesees 84,550.00 Total ....csceeeeerereeer sees $226,800.00 Appropriation .......+++++++++++ 100,000.00 SS ee aa ae ee or Saturday afternoon. Delegate Caudill of Hobart, whose dis- trict extends over into Greer county and who has been made the spokesman for Greer county anti-divisionists, made a speech in which he bitterly denounced the plan for the division of the county. His right to speak for Greer county was questioned by Banks of Hess, who asked him how many votes he got in Greer county. Caudill refused to answer. It 1s understood that a practical agree- ment has been reached in every district except the fifth, and the map makers are ‘making great efforts to get that straight- ened up, so as to make a report on Mon- day. The contest instituted by T. J. Harrill of Wagoner for possession of the seat as delegate from the seventy-firei dis- trist was withdrawn by Mr, Harrill. In a letter to Chairman Rose of the con- test committee, Mr. Harrill stated that he was withdrawing because he consid- ered It for the best interests of his party and that too much time should not be taken up with matters of that sort to the exclusion of other business. He also ret- terated his claims that he was legally elected to the position. In view of the withdrawal, the committee recommended that Mr. Harris be declared entitled to the seat which he now holds. On motion of Hopkins of Muskogee, the matter was made a special order for Tuesday morning. Chairman Moore, of the committee on federal relations, reported out constitu- tional provisions including the six items required by the enabling act to be in- serted in the constitution, for religious toleration and prohibiting polygamy; reg- ulating ‘the liquor business in Indian Ter- ritory, prohibiting restriction of suffrage, regarding Indian lands, assumption of debts and providing for free schools, The same committee also reported out two resolutions referred to it, one de- claring that the United States constitu- tion should he amended so as to provide for the election of United States sena- tors by popular vote, and the other asking an amendment of the United States con-| stitution so that an income tax could be imposed, recommending that both of them pass. The consideration of both resolu- tions was postponed indefinitely, A straight local option provision for the handling of the Hquor question was in- troduced by Delegate W. C. Hughes of Oklahoma City. It providés for city lcen- ses in the parts of the state not affect- ed by the prohibitory sections of the enabling act. The license fee for the state is $300 annually and for the county $200, in addition to the city Hcense, the amount of which is to be determined by city ordinance. On petition of 25 per cent of the voters, the question of issuing license is to be submitted to the people of the city at any general election of city officers, but not oftener than one in two years. The provisions are also to be extended over the Indian Terrl- tory side, whenever the restriction to the sales of liquor there are removed. Mitch of Oklahoma City introduced a provision providing for the admission of physicians, surgeons, lawyers and pharma- cists now practicing in Indian Territory upon the transition to state government. Williams of Stockholm, chairman of the special committee appointed to in- vite certain agricultural authorities to addres the convention, submitted replies from F, D, Coburn, of Kansas, and BE, A. Calvin, of Dallas, president of the Farm- yrs’ unton of Texas. Mr. Coburn regret- ted that he could not come, but urged the creation of a department of agricul- ture, with ample facilities for statistical work, Mr. Calvin thought that he would be able to get here before the convention closed, and promised to let the committee know when he could come, The resignation of L. T. Russell of Ardmore, as secretary to the president, was announced, If Is understood that Rus- sell has put in a bid for the convention printing and wants to be in a position where he can make an active fight for the contract. The members of the county bounda- ries committee were all excused from complexion of some of the committess, if adopted, was introduced by Haskell of Muskogee. It provides that the presl- dent shall be ex-officio member of all committees. Such a provision, which was adopted at the Sequoyah convention, might give the convention organization the deciding vote in some of the com- mittees where things are about at &@ standoff, such as those on school lands and liquor traffic, and might also effect ths report of the county boundaries com- mittee. The resolution went to the com- mittee on rules, as did another by Kane of Kingfisher, in regard to majority and minority reports. A petition from a number of citizens of Enid, asking the convention to elim- inate certain religious mattters, was pre- sented and referred to the committee on bills of rights, Haskell moved that the convention take a holiday recess from Saturday, December 22, to Thursday, January 3. At the sug- ‘gestion of Williams of Stockholm and others who had a long way to travel to get to their homes, the motion was changed so as to make the recess begin after the session of Friday, December 21, and was passed in that form, A feature of the morning's session of the convention was, the presentation of a silver cup to President Murray by Lit- tle Clara O'Brien of Oklahoma City, who was introduced by Delegate John L. Mitch, Murray kissed the little girl after the presentation and was applauded vigorously. FOR DOLLAR WHEAT. NEW STATE FARMERS TO HOLD UNION MEETING AT STILLWATER STILLWATER: A _ convention . of paramount importance to the farm- ers of the new state will be that ot the Oklahoma’State Union of tie American Society of Equity at Still- water on January 3 and 4, 1907. ‘This convention will be of more than usual importance from the fact that at the recent national convention in Bast St. Louis it was decided to do all it in its power during 1907 to per- fect the orbanization of local unions throughout the United States. This means the outlining at Stillwater of a whirlwind campaign in Oklahoma to completely organize the wheat grow- ing counties and to promote the thorough organization of the growers of cotton, corn, broom corn, fruit and other crops in al parts of the new state. The new state claims a goodly. por- tion within her borders of the 250 heaviest wheat prducing counties in the entire country, which control 60 percent of the product. It is hoped thoroughly to organize these counties in 1907, with the hoped for result that the farmers will get the price they themselves set on their whaet. The recent important affiliation of the or- ganized farmers with organized labor which has aroused such great interest everywhere, will come in for its full share of attention. This affiliation is especially strong in the two terri- tories, as a result of which the two classes combined. elected a majority of the delegates now sitting in the constitutional convention, ‘This will be the only Oklahoma state convention of this society of the year, under the revised national con- stitution, and officers will be elected. Every local union in the state is en- titled to representation, and an invi- ‘tation has also been extended to all members as well as the friends of the society. | The society of Oklahoma has four thousand members and their slogan is dollar wheat. J. A. Hill of Noble county is prest- dent and 8. C. Younger of Okeene, secretary. In the entire United States there are now more than 1,000,000 members of this organization, the majority, of them in the wheat-growing states of the north and the western states and territories. ‘ Since thé affillation with the Amert- ‘can Federation of Labor, one of the ‘demands of the Equity Society is for union labeled vegetables and fruit, LEWIS' SINGLE BINDER STRAIGHT 5¢ CIGAR ALWAYS RELIABLE You Look Prematurely Old Because of those ugly, grizzly, gray hairs. Use "LA CREOLE" HAIR RESTORER. Price, $1.00, retail. Kitchener Took Second Place. Lord Kitchener, the noted British general, was induced to attend a big social function in London recently. He was introduced to a very pretty girl, who expressed intense pleasure at making his acquaintance. Gen. Kitchener abhors "gush," but the girl seemed so sincere that he asked her why she was so glad to meet him. "Why, you are Toby's uncle," she replied with a blush, "and we are engaged, you know." His lordship hardly remembered the young man, but acknowledged that he was delighted to shine in the reflected glory of "Toby." The Evils of Constipation. are many; in fact almost every serious illness has its origin in constipation, and some medicines, instead of preventing constipation, add to it. This is true of most cathartics, which, when first used, have a beneficial effect, but the dose has to be continually increased, and before long the remedy ceases to have the slightest effect. There is one preparation, however, that can be relied upon to produce the same results with the same dose, even after fifty years' daily use, and this is Brandreth's Pills, which has a record of over 100 years as the standard remedy for constipation and all troubles arising from an impure state of the blood. Brandreth's Pills are the same fine laxative tonic pill your grandparents used, and are for sale everywhere, either plain or sugar-coated. Squirreia as Waiters. It has taken Fisk Goodyear of Burchtown, Pa., two years to train his pet squirrels, but his efforts are now repaid, and on Thanksgiving he treated his friends to a surprise. Gathering half a hundred or more gray squirrels, Mr. Goodyear taught them to go into the woods and pick up nuts, carrying them to his home. On Thanksgiving night at a dinner his guests noticed a small board running from a window to a nut bowl. The host gave one knock on the table with his knife. A squirrel hopped down the plank and dropped a chestnut into the bowl. Two raps brought a squirrel with a walnut, three knocks a shellbark. Finally, a grave old squirrel tock his place and cracked the nuts, winding up the performance by brushing off the crumbs with his thick bushy tail. FACE ALL BROKEN OUT. Troubled Almost a Year—Complexion Now Perfect and Skin Soft, White and Velvety. "I had been troubled with a breaking out on my face and arms for almost a year and had the services of several physicians, but they didn't seem to do any good. Some time ago one of my friends recommended Cuticura to me. I secured some, and after using it several months I was completely cured. I can highly recommend Cuticura Soap as being the very best complexion Soap made. It creates a perfect complexion, leaving the skin soft, white and velvety. I now use Cuticura Soap all the time and recommend its use to my friends." Maud Loggins, R. F. D. No. 1, Sylvia, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1905. Picturesque German Custom. A curious custom procures in the German navy when the sailors, having served their time, pass into the reserve. They don the "reserve flask" also used on a similar occasion in the army—and parade the streets wearing caps with ribbons which reach to the ground, other ribbons being attached to the canes they carry. Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. For children teething, softens the gums, reduces inflammation allays pain, cures wind colic. 85c a bottle. Blushes may come and blushes may go, but freckles hang on forever. Anyone can dye with PUTNAM FADELESS DYES; no experience required; success guaranteed. Gas Engines on Canal Boats. Canal boats propelled by gas engines supplied from plants on the boats which make the gas from coal, are used in Germany. For slow boats of moderate capacity the system seems efficient and economical. Philadelphia Man Victorious in Hand-to-Hand Combat. Unarmed and alone, Thomas Dyke was attacked by a wildcat on Locust mountain, south of Mount Carmel, Pa. He had been in Ashland and started to drive home. His horse stepped on a nail and he put the animal in a stable. Then he started to walk home and was on the mountain when the cries of a wildcat alarmed him. A few minutes later he saw the beast ten feet in front of him. The animal finally sprang. He jumped aside and as the body of the cat struck the road he leaped upon it. For several minutes the fight between the wild animal and the man went on. At length by a quick swing he broke the animal's back. A physician dressed the several deep scratches on his face and hands, but otherwise he was uninjured. DODD'S KIDNEY PILLS FOR ALL KIDNEY DISEASES GURES RMEUMATISM BRIGHT'S DISEASE DIABETES BACKACHE discontinued its use for treatment package. The public may rely on supplies of imitations, sold only in austest Don't Suffer With MALARIA At last a remedy has been found for this terrible disease, one that never fails, it always cures. It knocks chills, fever and ague every time. Fortifies the system against all fevers. This wonderful new scientific preparation is known as Malarine TRADE MARK It is the greatest reconstructive tonic known to science. It makes rich red blood. Night sweats can not exist if you take MALARINE. Will stop acute colds and catarrh if taken at once. Shake off malaria and its dreadful results by staring on Malarine today if you must satisfaction. Not to what we guarantee, we will return you your money within 30 days. Regular package 50c, trial package 10c. Sent to any one by mail on receipt of price. United States Chemical Company, 306 Frisco Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. LEWIS' STRAIGHT To See Husband's Statue Unveiled. Mrs. Ellen M. McClellan, widow of Gen. George B. McClellan and mother of the mayor of New York, has arrived in New York. She has been residing abroad, but will remain in this country to be present at the unveiling in Washington next April of the memorial statue of Gen. McClellan. Look Pre ose ugly, grizzly, gray hairs. Use " You save money and avoid failures in your baking if you use KG BAKING POWDER 25 ounces for 25 cents Here is true economy. You cannot be sure every time or have your food dainty, tasty and whole- some if you pay less or accept a substitute. JAQUES MFG. CO. Chicago THE FASHION OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY DEFIANCE STARCH easiest to work with and starches clothes nicest BUILDERS MATERIAL We manufacture all kinds of mill work, sash, doors, mouldings and hardwood finish. Write us for prices. MUSKOGEE SASH & DOOR CO.. Muskogee, Indian Territory. are a delight to the refined woman everywhere. In order to get this result see that the material is good, that it is cut in the latest fashion and use Defiance Starch in the laundry. All three things are important, but the last is absolutely necessary. No matter how fine the material or how daintily made, bad starch and poor laundry work will spoil the effect and ruin the clothes. DEFIANCE STARCH is pure, will not rot the clothes nor cause them to crack. It sells at roc a sixteen ounce package everywhere. Other starches, much inferior, sell at roc for twelve ounce package. Insist on getting DEFIANCE STARCH and be sure of results. Defiance Starch Company, Omaha, Nebraska. W. N. U., MUSKOGEE, NO. 51, 1906. BINDER AYS RELIABLE READERS of this paper desiring to buy anything advertised in its columns should insist upon having what they ask for, refusing all substitutes or imitations. v Old PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK IN THE INTEREST OF THE NEGRO BY CIMETER PUB. CO ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT MUSKOGEE, I. T., AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER W H. TWINE - - - Editor. E D. NICKENS, Advertising Manager. For Governor of the State of Oklahoma, Kon. John D. Benedict, of Muskogee, I. T. EDITORIALS. Merry Xmas to all. Clean out the gambling hells on South Second street, Mr. City Police Force, and you will have performed a part of your duty at least. Ingratitude is the greatest of crimes, and there are many fellows loafing around in Muskogee guilty of this crime. They are white, black and red. The shortage in the Indian Agent's office is creating quite a sensation and some of the people high in social circles among our white people will get their skirts muddy. Say, "Old Jay Bird," we do not claim to be a leader, but some people (white, black and red) say we are a good citizen, and we stand for right against wrong. We are against wrong. We are against gambling hells, whisky points and houses of illfame. Is that evidence of good citizenship? If not, then we say to Old Gordon and his superiors, we are not a good citizen. G. A. Porter of Ardmore will be the U. S. Marshal for the Eastern district of Oklahoma. The "nasty" charges that some people claim will be filed against him won't cut any figure, as they are unture. Report says that Marshal Bennett is in favor of Porter's appointment. Report says that Brown Stewart Sharpe and others have bought a third interest in the Searchlight and that the name will be changed to Republican and things hum. Gordon is still to be editor, in name at least. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention are having fist fights. Our delegate from Muskogee has had two, and is spoiling for the third. Its awful dear to pay $100 per day for prize fighters. "The Clansman," a play that stirs up race race prejudice and race hat- red, is booked to play here in April. The plot shows where a mullatto Negro falls in love with a white woman. They marry and the negro is lynched. Of course, the story is a fabrication, but it works on the prejudice of low class white and prepares them for a lynching on the slightest pretext. We hope the play will not be permitted here. Lyman Kane, financial clerk of the U. S. Indian Agency, has been suspended pending an investigation. It is said he is ebtween five and seven thousand dollars short. Lane has not yet been arrested. Had it been some poor devil with a pint or a cuss with a chicken, and unable to establish ownership beyond a reasonable doubt, the city police force, assisted by U. S. Marshals, would have him headed to the U. S. jail.. Old Man Gordon and his suepriors take issue with us in our position that Gordon is responsible for Haskell being elected delegate to the convention and they give the editor of the Climeter hades and say we are trying to divide the race and set one-half against the other. Of course, this is a falsehood. We want the whole people to be a unit against Gordon and the six-shooter gang, and if that be treasou, then make the most of it. Gordon says a hundred of good honest colored citizens voted for Hopkins and aer proud of it. If they are proud of a man who has not said one word in the convention against Jim Crow cars, then we say trot out your hundred and let us see who they are. Name your hundred, or even twenty-five and we will show you a number of as cowardly traitors as ever went unhung. STUDY LAW AT HOME Prepare for success at the bar, in business or public life, by mail, in the ORIGINAL SCHOOL, of the University. Successful graduates everywhere. By bar and live colleges. Regular College Law Course and Business Law Course. Liberal Terms. Special Offer Now. Catalogue Free. Sprague Correspondence School of Law, 733 Majestic Edge, Bettle, Mt Notice. Let me build you a house on small installments, thereby, saving your rent money, and living in your own house all the tinie. See Rev. J. M. Dade, Miner London, Susie London, Fannie Tucker and Nancy Lynch, as to the way I treat my customers. Will loan money for 5, 7 and 10 years on farm lands and city property, in any amount where it is well secured. Make short loans also. No. 1 English Block. W. P. FIELDS. 128 TOWN LOTS WILL BE SOLD As an addition to Renriesville, I. T. Lots ranging from $35. down to $10. Call on or write F. P. Brinson, Rentiesville, I. T. Is the to get anything in the Groceries line. Number 304 South 2nd St. Phone 912. We do business by fair competition and conservative methods :: :: :: Reasonable rates made consistent with first-class printing :: :: :: Try us once and you will always send us your work :: :: :: :: 203 South Second St., Muskogee, Ind. Ter. JQNES BUILDING (IN THE REAR) ON FIRST FLOOR FRISCO. Withee tubes This year the Frisco will sell round trip holiday tickets to such a large territory that it is difficult to cover all of it in an advertise- ment. : The territory practically includes all points between the Rocky Moun- tains and the Alleghenys and all Southeastern states. The dates of sale to this territory, except Southern Missouri, Arkan- sas, Indian and Oklahoma. Terri- tories and Texas, will be December 20, 24 and 22, with final return lim- it of 30 days from date of sale. Tickets will also be sold at the same rates to points in the Middle West, including all points in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Indian and Ok- lahoma Territories on December 20 to 26 inclusive, December 30 and 31, also January Ist, with return limit January 7, Rate, one and one- third fare for round trip. On Thurs- day, December 20 th, the Frisco will run through cars from Muskogee to Memphis and Birmingham. This will afford those going to Southeast- ern States unexcelled service. For full particulars ask F. A. STEBBENS, G. P. A, J. BE. MOON, Ticket Agent. Phone 302, A LAI 2 @ f i @. fe wet? wat wed ’ oe TI LG soehA eee crisis mebgscbecriers teueny sthar Latleg hdegetiners One Egy cpap eeekonna ses Used ate Sgsoes Seoeiys, eters cra) ra fl Ba asa oe kere THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL. Inetruc- tion by mail adapted to everyone. Recognized by courts and educators. es Experienced and competent instruct Ore Takes spare tine only. Thee conrses Preparatory, Husiness, Col LA Tege. Prepares for practice, Will beter your condition and prospects omen |= Dusiitens, Studente and graduates everywhere. Full particulars and tpectel offer WREE. —_ THE SPRAGUE CORRESPONDENCE SCHOBL OF LAW, 044 Mascanie Buse. canes DETROIT, MICU. TN THE UNITED STATES COURT FOR TITE WESTERN DISTRICT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY AT MUSKOGER Kssex M. Keys Plaintiff, vs. Caledonia Keys, Defendant. No. 7002 Warning Order, The defendant — Caledonio Keys, is hereby warned to ap pearin this court within thirty days and answer the complaint of the plaintiff, Essex M. Keys Witness the Honorable Wil- liam Re Lawrence, Judge of sid) Court, andthe seal there off at) Muskogee, Tndian Terri- tory, this the 27th, day of Nov, A, Dy, 1006, ‘ R. P. Harrison, Clerk, Patterson and Lilly Attort eys for Plaintiff. Brown and Stewart) Attorneys for non resident defendant, matt 118) ( en) 2-414) : —_> COMPLETELY ANDO COMFORTABLY SERVE WESTERN missoURi AND EASTERN KANSAS TO THE PRINCIPAL CITIES EAST, | WEST, | NORTH, | SOUTH. PULLMAN SLEEPERS, RECLINING CHAIR CARS. TRAINS LIGHTED AND VENTILATED BY ELECTRICITY. The Direct Route to the ‘‘WORLD'S FAIR CITY’ SAINT LOUIS For ddaiton information, call Strain ipbedces Bhisco L. W. PRICE, eoision Passencor Ugeat. és JOPLIN, Mo, af PEOPLE’S BANK AND TRUST COMPANY General Banking, Capital Stock, $50,000 We conduct a safe and conservative banking business in all lines of banking, make bond, act administor of estate, buy and sell lands, rent and collect rentals, and maintain an ‘‘Kasy Sav- ing’? department. We expect your co-operation anc patronage. Muskogee, t : ; : : Ind. Ter, bos tek New ‘FimeCard j . Effeetive May 20th FROM HERE TO THERE. WEST | KAST No. 53 Leaves 7:45.a.m.|No. 52 Leaves 11:25 a.m, No. 51 re 1:10 p, m. | No, 56 i 7:45 a.m. No, 57 ef 2:00 p.m. | No, 54 Arrives _5:35 p.m. No. 55 Arrives 7:00 p.m. | No, 58 : 10:00 a. m, No, 55. & 56 Local Accomodations Daily Except Sunday be- tween Fayetteville and Muskogee and Nos. 58 and 57 Local ex- cept Sunday between Okmulgee and Muskogee, No, 51 will connect at Okmulgee for north and south. No, 52 will connect ar Fayetteville for St, Louis and ~all internvediats points; Eureka Springs line and west from Monett and to Mem- phis, Birmingham and Bryand to Springfield, PHONE 302 F. A, STEBBINS, Ag’t. sie | , HOMOMONOMOMORORCRORONCROMOROROROROROROROMOROROROR ] Pours Via Roek Island ! To Mineapolis Very low rates account G, A. R. Encampment, : Tickets on sale August 10, 11 and 12, To Milwaukee Very low rates account annual meeting F, O, E. Tickets on sale August 11, 12 and 13, ; 'Bidea-Wee-= Frips and All Season lo Colorado Low rates all: summe. Special reductions Sep- tember 23 to 29 inclusive, * lo California Low rates all summer, Special reductions Sep- tember 3 to 14 inclusive. lo Mexico Fare and one-fifth for the round trip,all summer. No the Great Lakes Very low rates all season, To the Atlantic Coast Very low rates all season, Ask for Rock Island literature and rrte quotations before completing your vacation plans, GEO H, LEEK, J. 8. MeNALLY, Gen, Pass, Agt. Div. Pass. Agt. Little Rock, Aak. Oklahoma City, 0. 'T. 3 | ROCK ISLAND. ! Se ai, ee a ed i eR Are you going¢ ‘The excep tionally low rates for this occa sion willenable you to take a delightful vacation trip to cool, sunshiny Colorado at a minin unr expense, Tickets will be sold to Denver, Colorado Springs or Puchlo July 10th to 16th, inclusive, © good until August. A month in Colorado at this time of year will tone you up. The air, the the mountain scenery and the thousand and one points ef interest will amply repay you for the trip. Ask any M. K. & Teagent for particulars, ov write ‘ W.S.ST. George General Passenger Agent, M. K.&T. Ry f St.Louis, Missouri The blue mark on your pa- per means subscription out and paper steps aft once, THE QUICK MAIL ORDER HOUSE —————————————————— {We do business by fair competition and conservative methods :: :: 3: {Reasonable rates made consistent with first-class printing :: :: :: 33 try us once and you will always send us your work :: 33 33. 3 3 203 South Second St., Muskogee, Ind. Ter. JONES BUILDING (IN THE REAR) ON FIRST FLOOR ne te ctecluatantastacts Maatestact. cle steateste te lpste de Leeds tele Cotes Se i ele Dee eee eid 60 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE Trace Marks Ocsicns Copvniants &c. Anyone sending a sketch and deseription may quickly ascertain our opinion free w! hether an invention te probably pat WANS le. Communica tiomatricty fondgental W BB6OK on Patenta sent free, Gident agency for securing patente, Patents taken through Munn s Co. receive "Scien fific. sarge, eri A handsomely tIlustrated weekly. Larges Ahanecrptymmaaigg Hove. ree gs fear: four months, #1. Bold by all, newsdealers. MUNN & C0,s+:2-eem. New York Braveh Ofice 6% ¥ #t., Washington, D, 2. ATTRACTIONS OF WESTERN CANADA. Magnificent Crop Returns for the Year 1906, The manner in which the Canadian ‘West has attracted settlers in recent years hag caused many of our journala and public men to “sit up and take no- tice,” ‘to use a current phrase. From every European country and from al- most covery State in the Union large number of settlers have flocked to the prairie provinces of Canada, where free homesteads and wide opportun- ities are open to all who desire to avail themselves of them. The greatest fa:tor in attracting settlers lies in the inherent richnesr of soil and suitability of climate for producing what is universally consid ered to be the finest wheat in the world—the “No. 1 Hard” of Canadian growth—and other cereals that rank in the very first class. This year the harvest returns were: Wheat, 90,- 000,000 bushels; oats, 76,000,000 bush- els; barley, 17,000,000 bushels; and when it is considered that the entire population of the three provinces—as evidenced by the quinquennial census Just completed—is only 810,000, it is easily seen that the lure of the Cana- dian West is in its agricultural poten- tlalities. Another feature which attracts the settler is that railway construction is proceeding with such rapidity that al- most every district Is within easy reach of outside markets, and that good prices for ell lines of farm prod- ucts rule practically from the com- mencement of agricultural operations. This is a factor which did not prevail when the earlier settlements in the West were made in Canada and in the United States, and has given a great impetus to Canadian Western settle ment in recent years. The free grant system of home- steads which prevails in the prairie provinces, by which every settler who is able and willing to comply with the conditions of actual settlement (by no means onerous) is given 160 acres free, except $10 for entry, is a great drawing card, and in the last fiscal year gathered in over 189,000 addi- tional to the western population, of which 57,796 were from the United States. The further fact, as is strongly brought about by the agent of the Canadian Government, whose address appears elsewhere, that a _ splendid common school system, practically free, prevails throughout the entire country, and is easy of access in even the most remote districts, is another great inducement to the settler who has the future welfare of his family fn mind, and this, coupled with the fact that western Canadian law and order are proverbial, completes a circle of good and sufficient reasons why the tide of immigration has set fn so steadily toward the country to the north of our boundary line. Where Lawyers Are Unpopular. A lawyer made his appearance at Colobar, West Africa, the other day and a Gold Coast newspaper, noting the fact, said: “It is very unsafe for the people for lawyers to practice at this place. Their appearance in this river will soon inveigle everyone who is not careful into litigation, and they will feed on their folly, thereby ruin- ing them.” ’ Instantaneous Action, “I was almost distracted by a tor- ible itching which defied all treat- ment until I obtained a box of Hunt's Cure. The first application afforded instant and absolute relief. The onc box effected a complete cure. “It {8 simply wonderful in its in- stantaneous action.” Geo. Gilliland, Manitou, O. T. Ambitioue Youthful Violinist. Miss Selma Gustafson, of Delhi, Ont., a youthful violinist, has applied for the leadership of one of the orches- tras the Colorado Midland railroad is organizing. SEVENTY-FIVE COUNTIES. Twenty Thousand Average Popula- tion and Acreage Size is Forty- Six Sauare Miles. BStSeie, Ve Sees BS CUM ee Ve county lines reported 75 countiés to- day, 39 in Indian Territory and 36 in Oklahoma, Townships | from Comanche and Caddo were added to Indian Territory counties, fhe average size of the counties reported by the committee ig 946 square miles, and the average popu- lation 20,000. The average size of the Kansas counties is 631 square miles and the average population 14,800. In Nebraska the size of the counties fs slightly less and the pop- ulation 11,600. The report was unanimous, but is not final, as there are some other matters upon which the committee expects to report later. The question of county seats Is pass- ed up altogether, except in the case of Osage county, where the location of a county seat at Pawhuska is re- quired by the enabling act. There is, however, a disposition to settle the county seat question | later. While the Osage reservation was nec- essarily left intact, Bartlesville and Tulsa both expect to get slices from it later. Both now have regulat shoestring counties. It is provided that no county shall be separately organized with less than a million valuation. ‘The only county this af- fects is Cimarroh, which will prob- ably be attached to Texas county for judicial purposes. The following list gives the num- bers of the counties, the name adopt. ed and the principal towns in each: 1. Ottawa county—Miami and Afton. 2. Delaware county—Grove and Kansas. 8. Cherokee county—Tahlequah. 4. Adair county—Westville and Stillwell. 5. Sequoyah county—Muldrow and Sallisaw. 6. Muskogee county—Muskogee. 7; Wagoner county—Wagoner and Coweta. 8. Mayes county—Pryor Creek, Choteau and Adair. 9. Craig county—Vinita. 10. Nowata county—Nowata, 11. Bartlesville county—Bartles- ville 12. Tulsa county—Tulsa and Broken Arrow. 13. Cooweescoowee county — Oleremore. 14, Okmulgee county—Okmulgea and Henrvetta. 15. Moman county—Sapulpa and Bristow, 16. Okfuskee county—Weleetka and Okemah. 17, Seminole county—Wewoka and Kenawa, 18, Scott county—Holdenville and Wetumka, 19. MeIntosh county — Eufaula and Checotah. 20, Unnamed county—Poteau and Spire. 22. County unnamed—McAlester. | 28. MeCurtain county — Garvin and Idabel. 24. County unnamed —Hnugo. 25. County unnamed — Wilbur- ton. 26. Pushmataha county — Ant- lers. 27, Bryan county — Durant, 28. Coal county — Coalgate and Lehigh, 29. Atoka county — Atoka. 80. Pontotoe county — Ada, 81, Johnston county — Tishomtn- gO. 82, Marshsll county — Madill. 88. Tove county — Marietta, 84. Murray county — Sulphur. 85. Carter county —Ardmore, 36. Jefferson county — Ryan and Waurika, 37. Stenhens county — Dunean. 88. Grady county — Chickasha. 89. McClain county — Purce’). 40. Garvin county — Pauls Val- ‘aunary Work at home would be much more satisfactory if the right Starch were used. In order to get the desired stiffness, {t is usually neces- sary to use so much starch that the beauty and fineness of the fabric is hidden behind a paste of varying ‘thickness, which not only destroys the ‘appearance, but also affects the wear- ing quality of the goods. This trouble ‘ean be entirely overcome by using De- fiance Starch, as it can be applied ‘much more thinly because of its great- ‘@r strength than other makes, | Competent for Jury Service. During the ice trust trial in Phila- deiphia a prospective juror was quiz- red about the quantity of ice he used. “I use a little occasionally,” he said. “How much? Hnough to temper a highball?” What do you mean by a highball?” roared the attorney. “An amateur,” murmured the juror, “can not presume to enlighten an expert.” ‘This man is a competent juror,” chimed the court, and the trial pro ceeded. Saved Mim, “It didn’t kill me, but I think it would if it had not been for Hunt's Cure. I was tired, miserable and well nigh used up when I commenced using it for an old and severe case of Eczema. One application relieved and one box cured me. “I believe Hunt's Cure will cure any form of itching known to mankind.” Clifton Lawrence, Helena, O. T. Actress a Loyal Kentuckian. Mary Anderson De Navarro, who recently issued her memoirs, has sent & copy of the book to the Commercial club of Louisville, Ky., with the fol- lowing note: “For the Commercial club of Louisville, with the best wishes of Mary Anderson De Navar- ro, @ loyal lover of Kentucky.” Rest and Sleep. Few escape those miseries of win- ter—a bad cold, a distressing cough. Many remedies are recommended, but the one quickest and best of all is Simmon’s Cough Syrup. Soothing and healing to the lungs and bronchial passages, it stops the cough at once and gives you welcome rest and peaceful sleep. To Get Military Pointera Here. a en ee ae ee ee ee Gen. Brugere, former minister of war of France, is expected to visit this country in the near future to make an inspection of American posts and study the organization and the methods of training the American soldiers. Important to Mothers. Moeinn eeretel every bottle of CASTORTA, aeafe eure remedy for infants and children, and sce that it wit. Ziplliaoe Signatare of y In Uso For Over 30 Years, ‘The Kind You Have Always Bougat. First Author—"Oh, the unutterable monotony of existence! I am thor- oughly disgusted with it all. Would that I might completely disappear for a while!” Second Author—“Then why don’t you marry a famous wo- man?’—Judge. No Others. It 1s in a class to itself. It has no rivals. J+ cures where others merely relieve. For aches, pains, stiff joints, cuts, burns, bites, etc., it is the quick: est and surest remedy ever devised. ‘We mean Hunt's Lightning Oil. “Has your wealth brought you hap- piness?” asked the philosopher. “Per- haps not,” answered Mr. Dustin Stax; “but it has at least stood between me and a lot of annoyances.” —_——————_. National Pure Food and Drugs Act. Serial No. 384, assigned by the Govern- ment and Guaranty that the preparations comply in ey respect with the require- ments of the Pue Food and Drugs Act. appear on every package of the Garfield ‘ea Company's preparations. The more dignity a man has the less use the world has for him, TRYING EXPERIENCE, Spent Over $100 in a Vain Search for Health, Miss Frances Gardner, of J69 Jack- son boulevard, Chicago, Ill, writes: pettiee “Gentlemen: I f heartily — indorse Vi ore Doan’s Kidney f Rm \\ Pills, as I have - | found by personal a } experience that ie 4 i } they are an ideal ame... |} kidney remedy. I ee pee jf suffered with com- Ng Ke é Z plications of kid- Sees ney complaint for. (35 = GS) nearly five years, Xs spent over $100 on —= ae 6h hr f heartily — indorse 7 ore Doan’s Kidney ff Sm \\ Pills, as I have & \ found by personal a } experience that th 4 A } they are an {deal \ (ame, // kidney remedy. I me i pore j suffered with com- re é Z plications of kid- Sees ney complaint for ( SG) nearly five years, ox spent over $100 on useless remedies, while five boxes of Doan’s Kidney Pills cured me in a few short weeks. I am now enjoying the best of health, have a fine appetite, the best of digestion, and restful sleep, all due to your splendid pills.” Sold by all dealers. 60 cents a box. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y. Fine Silver Service for Cruiser. One thousand five hundred ounces of metal will be used in the silver ser- vice to be presented to the new ar. mored cruiser Washington by the people of the state after which the ship is named. The service is com- posed of 53 pieces, and will cost $5,- 000. The chief piece is the punch bowl, in the shape of a gallot, orna- mented with a figure representing Triton, the trumpeter of Neptune. Catarrh Cannot Be Cured with LOCAL APPLICATIONS, as they cannot The seat of the disease, Catarrh tea blood or comet, tutional disease, and in order to cure it you must take iniernal remedies. Hall's Catarrh Cure ie taken in- ternally, and acts directly on the biood and mucous surfaces, Hall's Catarrh Cure te not a quack medi Cine. It was prescribed by one of the best physicians fp thle country for years and 1 aregular prescription. it te mpoeet of fhe best tonics known, combined with the best bi purifiers, acting directly om the mucous surfaces, Perfect combination of the auite ia Curge pearehe MBend for eetimoatals tes. f J, CHENRY & CO., Prope. Tolegor 0. ford by Draggiats, price 780. Take 'e Family Pills for constipation. Half Pay for British Officers. All British officers on the effective list of the army that are elected mem- bers of the House of Commons are to be placed on half pay from the date of their election. Positively cured by CARTERS] Sear In- FTTLE. | igecton and Too tearty PVER (|arrerpauson, Noses PILLS, tn the sown, coated Tongue, Pain in the Side, 'TORPID LIVER. They regulate the Bowels, Purely Vegetable, SMALL PILL, SMALL DOSE. SMALL PRICE, ATER Genuine Must Bear ti Fac Simile Signature pe I REFUSE SUBSTITUTES, SPEED |Site at UBM |icrterectaal att i B95 AD ea inser AN [Ag Canada and the Gov. A R ernment of the Domin- tou continues to give ONE HUNDRED AND | SIXTY ACRES FREE to every settler. Coal, woud and water in abundance; churches and achools convenient; markets easy of access; taxes low; climate the best in the northern tem- perate zone, Law and order prevailsevery where, For advice and information address the SUPERINTENDENT OF IMMIGRATION, Ottawa, Canada, or any authorized Canadiag Government Agent. J. S. CRAWFORD, No. 125 W. Niath Street, Kansas City, Missouri. ENSION Watsjcbre Washington, D. ©. Successfully Prosecutes Cleime. Late Principal Examiner U, 6. Pension Burcew THE PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL MESSAGE ON PANAMA CANAL Gives Results of His Observations While on Tour of Inspection to Congress. THE WORK IS BEING PUSHED Perfection of Sanitary Conditions in Canal Zone Has Taken Much Time. He Found But Little Ground for Complaints and Refutes Statements of Critics—Calls Some Writers "Slanderers and Liar"—Approves of Type and Route of Canal. The following is the text of President Roosevelt's special message to congress on the subject of the Panama canal: To the Senate and House of Representatives: In the month of November I visited the Isthmus of Panama, going over the Canal Zone with considerable care; and also visited the cities of Panama and Colon, which are not in the zone or under the United States flag, but as to which the United States government, through its agents, exercises control for certain sanitary purposes. I chose the month of November for my visit partly because it is the rainiest month of the year, the month in which the work goes forward at the greatest disadvantage, and one of the two months which the medical department of the French Canal company found most unhealthy. Following the introduction to the message the president gives a resume of his programme during the days he was on the isthmus, and then says: At the outset I wish to pay tribute to the amount of work done by the French Canal company under very difficult circumstances. Many of the buildings they put up were excellent and are still in use, though, naturally, the houses are now getting out of repair and are being used as dwellings only until other houses can be built, and much of the work they did in the Culebra cut, and some of the work they did in digging has been of direct and real benefit. This country has never made a better investment than the $40,000,000 which it paid to the French company for work and betterments, including especially the Panama railroad. An inspection on the ground at the height of the rainy season served to convince me of the wisdom of congress in refusing to adopt either a high-level or a sea-level canal. There seems to be a universal agreement among all people competent to judge that the Panama route, the one actually chosen, is much superior to both the Nicaragua and Darien routes. Preliminary Work Being Done. The wisdom of the canal management has been shown in nothing more clearly than in the way in which the foundations of the work have been laid. To have yielded to the natural impatience of ill-informed outsiders and begun all kinds of experiments in work prior to a thorough sanitation of the isthmus, and to a fairly satisfactory working out of the problem of getting and keeping a sufficient labor supply, would have been disastrous. The various preliminary measures had to be taken first; and these could not be taken so as to allow us to begin the real work of construction prior to January 1 of the present year. It then became necessary to have the type of the canal decided, and the only delay has been the necessary delay until the 29th day of June, the date when the congress definitely and wisely settled that we should have an 85-foot level canal. Immediately after that the work began in hard earnest and has been continued with increasing vigor ever since; and it will continue so to progress in the future. When the contracts are let the conditions will be such as to insure a constantly increasing amount of performance. Successful Sanitation. The first great problem to be solved, upon the solution of which the success of the rest of the work depended, was the problem of sanitation. This was from the outset under the direction of Dr. W. C. Gorgas, who is to be made a full member of the commission. It must be remembered that his work was not mere sanitation as the term is understood in our ordinary municipal work. Throughout the zone and in the two cities of Panama and Colon, in addition to the sanitation work proper, he has had to do all the work that the Marine hospital service does as regards the nation, that the health department officers do in the various states and cities, and that Col. Waring did in New York when he cleaned its streets. The results have been astounding. The isthmus had been a byword for deadly unhealthfulness. Now, after two years of our occupation the conditions as regards sickness and the death rate compare favorably with reasonably healthy localities in the United States. Especial care has been devoted to minimizing the risk due to the presence of those species of mosquitoes which have been found to propagate malarial and yellow fevers. In all the settlements, the little temporary towns or cities composed of the white and black employes, which grow up here and there in the tropic jungle as the needs of the work dictate, the utmost care is exercised to keep the conditions healthy. Everywhere are to be seen the drainage ditches which in removing the water have removed the breeding places of the mosquitoes, while the whole jungle is cut away for a considerable space around the habitations, thus destroying the places in which the mosquitoes take shelter. These drainage ditches and clearings are in evidence in every settlement, and, together with the invariable presence of mosquito screens around the plazaas, and of mosquito doors to the houses, not to speak of the careful fumigation that has gone on in all infected houses, doubtless explain the extraordinary absence of mosquitoes. As a matter of fact, but a single mosquito, and this not of the dangerous species, was seen by any member of our party during my three days on the isthmus. Equal care is taken by the inspectors of the health department to secure cleanliness in the houses and proper hygienic conditions of every kind. I inspected between 20 and 30 water-closets, both those used by the white employes and those used by the colored laborers. In almost every case I found the conditions perfect. In but one case did I find them really bad. In this case, affecting a settlement of unmarried white employes, I found them very bad indeed, but the buildings were all inherited from the French company and were being used temporarily while other buildings were in the course of construction; and right near the defective water closet a new and excellent closet with a good sewer pipe was in process of construction and nearly finished. Nevertheless this did not excuse the fact that the bad condition had been allowed to prevail. Temporary accommodations, even if only such as soldiers use when camped in the field, should have been provided. Orders to this effect were issued. I append the report of Dr. Gorgas on the incident. I was struck, however, by the fact that in this instance, as in almost every other where a complaint was made which proved to have any justification whatever, it appeared that steps had already been taken to remedy the evil complained of, and that the trouble was mainly due to the extreme difficulty, and often impossibility, of providing in every place for the constant increase in the numbers of employes. Generally the provision is made in advance, but it is not possible that this should always be the case; when it is not there ensues a period of time during which the conditions are unsatisfactory, until a remedy can be provided; but I never found a case where the remedy was not being provided as speedily as possible. Unjust Criticism. Care and forethought have been exercised by the commission, and nothing has reflected more credit upon them than their refusal either to go ahead too fast or to be deterred by the fear of criticism from not going ahead fast enough. It is curious to note the fact that many of the most severe critics of the commission criticise them for precisely opposite reasons, some complaining bitterly that the work is not in a more advanced condition, while the others complain that it has been rushed with such haste that there has been insufficient preparation for the hygiene and comfort of the employees. As a matter of fact neither criticism is just. It would have been impossible to go quicker than the commission has gone, for such quickness would have meant insufficient preparation. On the other hand, to refuse to do anything until every possible future contingency had been met would have caused wholly unwarranted delay. The right course to follow was exactly the course which has been followed. Every reasonable preparation was made in advance, the hygienic conditions in especial being made as nearly perfect as possible; while on the other hand there has been no timid refusal to push forward the work because of inability to anticipate every possible emergency, for, of course, many defects can only be shown by the working of the system in actual practice. Inasmuch as so many both of the white and colored employees have brought their families with them, schools have been established, the school service being under Mr. O'Connor. For the white pupils white American teachers are employed; for the colored pupils there are also some white American teachers, one Spanish teacher, and one colored American teacher, most of them being colored teachers from Jamica, Barbados and St. Lucia. The schoolrooms were good, and it was a pleasant thing to see the pride that the teachers were taking in their work and their pupils Chinese and Other Labor. Of the 19,000 or 20,000 day laborers employed on the canal a few hundred are Spaniards. These do excellent work. Their foreman told me that they did twice as well as the West Indian laborers. They keep healthy and no difficulty is experienced with them in any way. Some Italian laborers are also employed in connection with the drilling. As might be expected, with labor as high priced as at present in the United States, it has not so far proved practicable to get any ordinary laborers from the United States. The American wage-workers on the isthmus are the highly paid skilled mechanics of the types mentioned previously. A steady effort is being made to secure Italians, and especially to procure more Spaniards, because of the very satisfactory results that have come from their employment and their numbers will be increased as far as possible. It has not proved possible, however, to get them in anything like the numbers needed for the work, and from present appearances we shall in the main have to rely, for the ordinary unskilled work, partly upon colored laborers from the West Indies, partly upon Chinese labor. It certainly ought to be unnecessary to point out that the American workingman in the United States has no concern whatever in the question as to whether the rough work on the isthmus, which is performed by aliens in any event, is done by aliens from one country with a black skin or by aliens from another country with a yellow skin. Our business is to dig the canal as efficiently and as quickly as possible; provided always that nothing is done that is inhumane to any laborers, and nothing that interferes with the wages of or lowers the standard of living of our own workmen. Having in view this principle, I have arranged to try several thousand Chinese laborers. This is desirable both because we must try to find out what laborers are most efficient, and, furthermore, because we should not leave ourselves at the mercy of any one type of foreign labor. At present the great bulk of the unskilled labor on the isthmus is done by West India negroes, chiefly from Jamaica, Barbados, and the other English possessions. One of the governors of the lands in question has shown an unfriendly disposition to our work and has thrown obstacles in the way of our getting the labor needed; and it is highly undesirable to give any outsiders the impression, however ill founded, that they are indispensable and can dictate terms to us. The West India laborers are fairly, but only fairly, satisfactory. Some of the men do very well indeed; the better class, who are to be found as foremen, as skilled mechanics, as policemen, are good men; and many of the ordinary day laborers are also good. Work of Construction. The work is now going on with a vigor and efficiency pleasant to witness. The three big problems of the canal are the La Boca dams, the Gatun dam, and the Culebra cut. The Culebra cut must be made, anyhow; but of course changes as to the dams, or at least as to the locks adjacent to the dams, may still occur. The La Boca dams offer no particular problem, the bottom material being so good that there is a practical certainty, not merely as to what can be achieved, but as to the time of achievement. The Gatun dam offers the most serious problem which we have to solve; and yet the ablest men on the isthmus believe that this problem is certain of solution along the lines proposed; although, of course, it necessitates great toil, energy, and intelligence, and although equally, of course, there will be some little risk in connection with the work. The risk arises from the fact that some of the material near the bottom is not so good as could be desired. If the huge earth dam now contemplated is thrown across from one foothill to the other we will have what is practically a low, broad, mountain ridge behind which will rise the inland lake. This artificial mountain will probably show less seepage, that is, will have greater restraining capacity than the average natural mountain range. The exact locality of the locks at this dam—as at the other dams—is now being determined. In April next Secretary Taft, with three of the ablest engineers of the country—Messrs. Noble, Stearns and Ripley—will visit the isthmus, and the three engineers will make the final and conclusive examinations as to the exact site for each lock. Meanwhile the work is going ahead without a break. The Culebra cut does not offer such great risks; that is, the damage liable to occur from occasional land slips will not represent what may be called major disasters. The work will merely call for intelligence, perseverance, and executive capacity. It is, however, the work upon which most labor will have to be spent. The dams will be composed of the earth taken out of the cut and very possibly the building of the locks and dams will take even longer than the cutting in Culebra itself. In Culebra Cut. The main work is now being done in the Culebra cut. It was striking and impressive to see the huge steam shovels in full play, the dumping trains carrying away the rock and earth they dislodged. The implements of French excavating machinery, which often stand a little way from the line of work, though of excellent construction, look like the veriest toys when compared with these new steam shovels, just as the French dumping cars seem like toy cars when compared with the long trains of huge cars, dumped by steam plows, which are now in use. This represents the enormous advance that has been made in machinery during the past quarter of a century. No doubt a quarter of a century hence this new machinery, of which we are now so proud, will similarly seem out of date, but it is certainly serving its purpose well now. The old French cars had to be entirely discarded. We still have in use a few of the more modern, but not most modern, cars, which hold but 12 yards of earth. They can be employed on certain lines with sharp curves. But the recent cars hold from 25 to 30 yards aplece, and instead of the old clumsy methods of unloading them, a steam plow is drawn from end to end of the whole vestibulated train, thus immensely economizing labor. In the rainy reason the steam shovels can do but little in dirt, but they work steadily in rock and in the harder ground. There were some 25 at work during the time I was on the isthmus, and their tremendous power and efficiency were most impressive. Slanders and Libelers. So much for honest criticism. There remains an immense amount of as reckless slander as has ever been published. Where the slanderers are of foreign origin I have no concern with them. Where they are Americans, I feel for them the heartiest contempt and indignation; because, in a spirit of wanton dishonesty and malice, they are trying to interfere with and hamper the execution of, the greatest work of the kind ever attempted, and are seeking to bring to naught the efforts of their countrymen to put to the credit of America one of the giant feats of the ages. The outrageous accusations of these slanderers constitute a gross libel upon a body of public servants who, for trained intelligence, expert ability, high character and devotion to duty, have never been excelled anywhere. There is not a man among those directing the work on the isthmus who has obtained his position on any other basis than merit alone, and not one who has used his position in any way for his own personal or pecuniary advantage. Plan to Build by Contract. After most careful consideration we have decided to let out most of the work by contract, if we can come to satisfactory terms with the contractors. The whole work is of a kind suited to the peculiar genius of our people; and our people have developed the type of contractor best fitted to grapple with it. It is of course much better to do the work in large part by contract than to do it all by the government, provided it is possible on the one hand to secure to the contractor a sufficient remuneration to make it worth while for responsible contractors of the best kind to undertake the work; and provided on the other hand it can be done on terms which will not give an excessive profit to the contractor at the expense of the government. After much consideration the plan already promulgated by the secretary of war was adopted. This plan in its essential features was drafted after careful and thorough study and consideration, by the chief engineer, Mr. Stevens, who, while in the employment of Mr. Hill, the president of the Great Northern railroad, had personal experience of this very type of contract. Mr. Stevens then submitted the plan to the chairman of the commission, Mr. Shonts, who went carefully over it with Mr. Rogers, the legal adviser of the commission, to see that all legal difficulties were met. He then submitted copies of the plan to both Secretary Taft and myself. Secretary Taft submitted it to some of the best counsel at the New York bar, and afterwards I went over it very carefully with Mr. Taft and Mr. Shonts, and we laid the plan in its general features before Mr. Root. My conclusion is that it combines the maximum of advantage with the minimum of disadvantage. Under it a premium will be put upon the speedy and economical construction of the canal, and a penalty imposed on delay and waste. The plan as promulgated is tentative; doubtless it will have to be changed in some respects before we can come to a satisfactory agreement with responsible contractors—perhaps even after the bids have been received; and of course it is possible that we can not come to a agreement, in which case the government will do the work itself. Meanwhile the work on the isthmus is progressing steadily and without any let up. Single Commissioner Desired. A seven-headed commission is of course a clumsy executive instrument. We should have but one commissioner, with such heads of departments and other officers under him as we may find necessary. We should be expressly permitted to employ the best engineers in the country as consulting engineers. I accompany this paper with a map showing substantially what the canal will be like when it is finished. When the Culebra cut has been made and the dams built (if they are built as at present proposed) there will then be at both the Pacific and Atlantic ends of the canal two great fresh-water lakes, connected by a broad channel running at the bottom of a ravine, across the backbone of the Western Hemfsphere. Those best informed believe that the work will be completed in about eight years; but it is never safe to prophesy about such a work as this, especially in the tropics. Confident of Ultimate Success. Of the success of the enterprise I am as well convinced as one can be of any enterprise that is human. It is a stupendous work upon which our fellow countrymen are engaged down there on the isthmus, and while we should hold them to a strict accountability for the way in which they perform it, we should recognize, with frank generosity, the epic nature of the task upon which they are engaged and its world-wide importance. They are doing something which will redoud immeasurably to the credit of America, which will benefit all the world, and which will last for ages to come. Under Mr. Shonts and Mr. Stevens and Dr. Gorgas this work has started with every omen of good fortune. They and their worthy associates, from the highest to the lowest, are entitled to the same credit that we would give to the plied men of a victorious army; for this conquest of peace will, in its great and far-reaching effect, stand as among the very greatest conquests, whether of peace or of war, which have ever been won by any of the peoples of mankind. A badge is to be given to every American citizen who for a specified time has taken part in this work; for participation in it will hereafter be held to reflect honor upon the man participating just as it reflects honor upon a soldier to have belonged to a mighty army in a great war for righteousness. Our fellow countrymen on the isthmus are working for our interest and for the national renown in the same spirit and with the same efficiency that the men of the army and navy work in time of war. It behooves us in our turn to do all we can to hold up their hands and to aid them in every way to bring their great work to a triumphant conclusion. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. on. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The White House, December 17, 1906. COLLEGE HEIGHTS ADDITION TO TAFT. CREEK NATION, I. T. (Oklahoma) Scale 200 ft = 1 inch INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON BOULEVARD GENERAL MAP Description SWK of NEK Section 19 = 40 EN of NWK Section 19 = 20 NEK of SWK 18 = 40 NWK of SEK 18 = 40 Total area 140 All in TISN. RITE R.H.K. Kelley Tuesday of TAFT JOBEE I.T. RN Kelley Tuesday 28, 1906, Civil Engineer DO YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY? Do You care to Help a Good Cause? If so we want to talk with you for a few minutes. It may prove profitable to you—in fact the beginning of a successful career for you. The New State is having a wonderful development. It has not yet fairly begun. Many persons have made fortunes by grasping some of the many opportunities offered here. No one has succeeded, even in a small way, by inactivity. Action is what counts. You must decide, then act. Unless you get busy you will always be a cow's tail. Now, to be brief, we are going to outline to you a plan that may prove the beginning of a successful career for you. It remains with you to decide. We will do our part and will offer you the opportunity. The plat on the left shows the location of Halochee Industria Institute. It is the youngest child of Booker T. Washington's famous school, Tuskegee Institute. Around the school grounds have been platted business and residence lots. These lots are desirable, and, owing to their location, will prove to be a very profitable investment. These lots are now being pushed in order to raise funds for pushing the school work. The building and maintenance funds of the institute gets a large percentage of the selling price of these lots. Before the spring term opens we want most if not all of these lots sold, and with this in view, we are going to offer you the opportunity of a life time. We want you to act as our agent in your community. If you will work eight hours a day—good, honest, hard work, we guarantee you will make more money than the banker in your town. Write for full information. Act today—tomorrow some other person may be ahead of you Address, REEVES REALTY CO., (Incorporated.) Reeves Building, Muskogee, I. T. WHAT ABOUT YOUR RECORDS. Have you a convenient system of records of your real estate. The Reeves Real Estate Record shows you at a glance the amount of your taxes, when due; when last paid; all about your insurance; repairs; who your tenant is; the amount of rent he is to pay; when last paid; amount due, etc., etc. It is the most convenient record of real estate ever devised. We have them, end bound, 50 pages for $1.00. If you have but one piece of property, and that your home, you should have a record. It gives and keeps a complete history of your property. REEVES REALTY CO., Second and Court St Muskogee, I. T. Let us insure your property in a good, safe company. We give the closest attention to your insurance, and will remind you when your policy is about to expire. REEVES, REALTY CO., Muskogee, I. T. THE REEVES REALTY COMPANY Muskogee, Oklahoma.