Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-22
A SCREAMING FARCE.
PandemOnium Turned Loose in the Ok
lahOma Territorial Convention.
A Proposition to Give Women the Right to
Vote Raises a Whirlwind and the Con-
vention Breaks Up in Row.
Special to the Gazette.


GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA, Aug. 21.-The
committee on a memorial to congress re-
ported to the territorial convention to-
day The memorial is an admirable
state paper, the work of Mr.. Horace
Speed and states that the territoryNof
Oklahama, containing a population of
80 900 inhabitants, is in an absolute con-
dition of anarchy, and prays for speedy
relief by congress. The convention will
send a delegate to congress, and also
committee of four, to present the memo
rial and urge immediate action by con-
gress.
At the afternoon session the committee
on organic law reported their constitu-s
ton for the territory of Oklahoma. It
is a very brief and concise docum ent,
and calls for a government of legislative,
judicial and executive branches similar
to other states and territories.
A minority report favored the adoption
of the Indiana convention, but at to-
morrow mornings session the constitu-
ton as reported by the majority will IN
doubtedly be adopted
The afternoon session was al
most entirely devoted to the hearing
of the reports of standing committees.
When the committee on privilege ard
election reported q boomer delegate
moved to amend by giving women the
right of suffrage. This provided ludi-
crous and almost endless discussion-in
fact, the proceedings from that time on
were a screaming farce, and the con-
vention broke up in disgraceful row.
Mayor StOckslag of East Guthrie, in
abiding to the recent municipal election,
said that about 50 per cent. of the bawdy
element of East Guthrie ayaiIed them
selves of the privilege of the ballot,
while only about 5 per cent. of the re-
spectacle women voted. He said that
the long haired'' women did not wish
to vote, but wished to attend
to household duties which was
woman's mission in life. The
expression ''long- haired'' women was
nsed in contradistinction to the demi
monde, but the Rev Mr.. Monroe, who
occupied the chair, construed his re-
marks to reflect upon the Woman 8
Christian Temperance Union, and jump
ing from his seat, he began TRADE, i'll
which others Joined, and so on until the
convention was vertable bedlam and
the proceedings were disgraceful in the
extreme. A boomer delegate now occu-
pied the chair, and he pounded loudly
with his gaveI and sent the Sergeant-at-
arms to eject several members from the
hall. At this juncture a fight occurred
lust outside the door and the whole con-
gregation made rush for the doors and
windows, thinking that riot was immi-
nent. At last order was restored and
the convention adjourned until clock
p. M.
OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL.
GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA, Aug. 21.-The
territorial conven Jon was called to order
by President Green promptly at 2 o. clock
to-day. The order of business was so
changed that the election of delegates to
present their memorial to congress oc-
Cured after the completion of all other
business. Horace Speed of Guthrie pre-
scented memorial to be presented to the
United States congress. 1t prays that
such legislation be enacted as will pro-
tect the social and commercial interests
of the people. 1t claims that the Indian
Territory is as thickly settled as the av-
erage of the states in the Union >,
and prays for similar protection.
At the present time there is
no provision for the making or
Authorization of wills nor Tor the pro-
batting thereof. There is no provision
for the unfortunate insane or the afflicted
sick, aged or blind. There is no legal
provision for the construction or main
tenance OF public works of any kind (not
! even for public schools or for the levy
ing of taxes for any purpose whatever.
There are no means by which crimes may
be punished unless they be against the
United States law. The memorial prays
! congress TO remedy this unfortunate state
of affairs. The memorial was laid over