The Butler weekly times., 1893-02-02
FOR STATEHOOD.
The Idea Popular in Oklahoma and the
Indian Territory.
ONLY CHEROKEES OBJECT.
Their Lobby Lively as Crickets-Ofice-
holders of the Territory slyIy Infiu-
encing Congressmen Against
Statehood Measures -lhe
Other Proposed New
States.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-Delegate Har-
vey has received twenty three messages
from Oklahoma and Indian territory,
dealing with the statehood question
alone. AS he expressed it, cyclone
seems to have broken loose in that
country on the question. All the mes
sages received were urging the passage
OF bill making a state of Oklahoma,
but two OF those coming from the five
civilized tribes suggest that the five
civilized tribes should not be included
in the statehood bill They come from
the Cherokee country.
In explanation of this Harvey stated
that he was perfectly familiar with the
feeling on the question in the Indian
country, and he is positive that the In
dians as rule are favorable to state
hood outside the Cherokee country. In
the Cherokee nation he says stubborn
opposition will be met and the friends
OF the bill must act on this basis
In this connection it may be of inter
est to state that the Cherokee lobbyists
are at work earnestly fighting the state
hood sentiment They have resorted
to all the means in their power and
will continue on this line with all pos
sible resources
1t seems probable that a number of
delegations representing the various
towns in Oklahoma, and some of those
in the Indian territory, will come here
TO assist in the work. Gov. Seay and
some of the other territorial officers
have signified by wire their willingness
to come here and work for the bill pro-
vided it is thought advisab BILE for them
to assume a conspicuous attitude on the
question.
The friends of statehood agree that
unless the bill is passed this session the
question OF making a state of Oklahoma
will be more problematic for the next
two years, at least, than ever. An inn
portant reason for reaching this conclu-
sion is found in the fact that the incom-
ing territorial officers will secretly, if
not openly, oppose such legislation;
they, like all other territorial officers
who hope to continue their jobs, will
be looking after their own personal in
terests. In addition they will have
more influence with the political pow
ers of the times than all the other peo
PIC VI IAC Oic VI tWo GcITAtOEAcO COlu
bined.
The most formidable opposition t.
the three-state bill comes from the com
bined aspirants for territorial offices
They aim to be sly and misleading a.
far as their motives and secret worl
are concerned, but occasionally one o
them gets confidential with the wrong
man and in this way their exact position
is ascertained. 1t is openly asserted b,
the friends of the statehood bin that O.
all the gubernatorial aspirants of Okla
homa here, Sidney Clarke is the onl!!
one who is working to make a state o
Oklahoma this session, while all tn,
others are either painfully apathetic o
secretly working against it.
Senators Dubois and Carey Will
very anxious to have Arizona admitte,
as a state along with Oklahoma, New
Mexico and Utah, say they will gladl
work for the three-state bill, but aim
if possible, to have Arizona added
They have resolved upon this plan. dc
spite the earnest appeal of Delegat
Smith and Governor Murphy, of Ar
zora. who take middle of the road pc
sition for their territory. They insis
they will resort to active parliamentary
warfare before submitting to the pla
of being left ont