The Coffeyville Journal
Coffeyville, Kansas
January 30, 1907
NO VOTES NOR TAXES
Wann, I.T., Man Wanted to Vote and Pay Taxes
There are men within less than twenty-five miles of Coffeyville who
are 35 and 40 years of age and who have never voted at any kind of an
election unless it be for a Sunday school superintendent or for the
president of a local literary society. It is not because they are not
patriotic and have not the love of country at heart, but because they
have never had the opportunity to cast a vote. They have had no voice
in the government under which they receive protection: These are residents
of the Indian Territory south of Coffeyville.
One man who lives in Wann, I.T., about fifteen miles south of this
city, made the remark to a Journal representative recently that he was
past the age of forty years and that he had never known what it was
to cast a vote at an election. He said: "I have lived in his part of
the country practically all my life and I am getting tired of living
where I do not have a say in the governmental affairs. I cannot say
that I am subject to taxation without representation, for I never have
paid a cent taxes and still I have for several years been a property
owner and would have paid a large tax in the state. That is why I was
in favor of having the town of Wann incorporated. I wanted to vote and
I don't mind paying taxes. I know I would feel better and feel more
like I was an American citizen." |
