Wichita eagle., 1889-06-20
THE CALL TO ORGANIZE OKLA
HOMA

HOMA.
To the Editor Of the Eagle.
Allow me brief space in your valua
BILE paper to speak to the people of Okla
homa on this call emanating from a
committee of the citizens of Guthrie fol-
territorial convention for the avowed
purpose of framing provisional terri
torial government for Oklahoma.
The call has been issued and published
in the Kansas City Times of the 18th
inst. Its purpose, utility, effect and ex-
pense should be closely scrutinized by
every true friend of this virgin terri
tory.
In the light of past experience it was
exceedingly unfortunate Tor our people
that congress paid so little attention to
this beautiful land that they adjourned
without giving our people some form of
civil polity. But a latent good has been
developed, viz: that the doctrine and
principle of self government has become
SO potent in this nineteenth century that
man is almost "a law unto himself" So
| true is this fact in Oklahoma that we
can challenge the great, overgrown, ex-
penslve governments Of the states to
furnish a locality Of equal extent where
life and property are more secure than it
has been in this land. This fact, though
not conclusive one as to ''the utility of
some form of civil government" still it
goes far to cause us to ''make haste slow
ly'' to draw our people into local fights
and into government that
while spacious in appearance, will in the
end be burdened with imperfections,
complications and an expense which
sooner or later must be met by the
farmers and taxpayers of the country.
While we have no local government,
the laws of the United States extend
over us and give us immunity from sud-
den dangers and from any fear of vio-
lent disorder. Then, why the hot haste
to rush into a provisional government?
Will it commend US to congress, the
only power that can give vitality and
effect to our action? l see not how it
can add single vote to aid us on either
floor of congress. On the contrary, it is
more likely to prove a "Trojan horse" of
evil. Congress, left to its responsibility,
cannot again adjourn without guarantee
ing a safe territorial form of govern
ment to Oklahoma.
Then why foretell its action and give
members and parties in congress an OPP
portunity to oppose territorial govern
ment for us?
Again, suppose we go into a conven-
ton and take the steps indicated in the
call; viz: TO make a written constitu-
ton embodied in statutary enactments."
How old will our government be when
congress assemblies?
The date fixed for the convention of
delegates to assemble at the city of
Guthrie in July II, 1885, No body of
men can do the work indicated in the
cali and vote of ratification be secured
under two months. Hence the govern
ment can not be of any practical use be-
fore the middle of September.
On the first Monday of December con-
gress meets, hence our government with
all its benefits and all its evils will be
but about two and half months old
when the sovereign law making power
of the land conyenes.
If the friends of this call have no other
object but to secure a territorial govern
ment for Oklahoma, then a convention
at this time is little else than grand
farce. And if the Interior purpose is to
make state constitution under the guise
of a provisional government, then in the
every true friend of this
territory should frown most indig- |
nantly on the attempt. Our exterior |
lines are not fixed on a single side-our |
territory is too small to bear the burden |
of state. Our people are not ready to |
assume the responsibilities and expense |
of state government neither at the beck |
Of interested politicians or any town in
terest, To hold such a convention and |
do what is clearly Swallowed in the call |
is to place this infant territory and its
material and political interests in the
hands of one or two large towns. This
is neither fair or just.
Ii a contingency existed which really
demanded call for such a convention,
common fairness and modesty would
seem to have suggested that a pre-
liminary meeting of delegates from all
parts eff Oklahoma should first have been
called to consider the wisdom of such
and such a government.
This has not been done, but a call is
made virtually from q single locality.
No man conversant with public affairs
and the custom of such conventions can
be oblivious to the fact that sooner or
later the people of Oklahoma will be
taxed to defray the expenses of such
Nor can any man dare
hope that one half of the townships in the
will be represented in the con-
vention. Without stopping to consult
the views of the people of Lisbon
and Kingfisher, l have to say
that this people desire no advantages
over the rural districts nor do believe
they can see any utility in the call made.
Should congress meet in December
and refuse us the protection of terri
torial government then the time may
come for the people to take steps to make
their rights more secure. But till this
is done | am opposed to any action that
must, in the end, prejudice the interests
Of localities and directly tend to fasten
On our people a complicated form of
policy, which Will make them, like
many of the people of the states now
are, tax ridden people.
S. D. HOUSTON.
LISBON, June 16, 1889.