The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-08
OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD.
A Stormy Convention at Kingfisher-Ths
Resolutions Adopted.


A Stormy Convention at Kingfsher-Ths
Resolutions Adopted
KINGFIsHER. Ok, Nov. 29.-Stormy
scenes were the feature of the state
hood convention which opened here
yesterday. There were many factions
One favored single statehood, another
double statehood-that is separate
statehood for Oklahoma and the Indian
territory; another favored immediate
statehood and another no statehood at
all. There are too many politicians in
the convention and as a result one row
followed another.
Sidney Clark, of Oklahoma City.
called the delegates to order. He
opened the convention with speech
devoted to the resources of the terri
tories and the necessity of statehood
Charles L. Redick. of the same city,
was made temporary chairman and
George King, of Kingfsher, secretary
The appointment of the committee
on resolutions precipitated an acrimo-
NOUS debate that lasted for more than
an hour. Then the committee on Gre
dentials permitted one man from each
of the three nations-Seminole, Choc-
taw and Chickasaw-to have place in
the convention with forty-nine proxies
each. These men practically controlled
the convention. They were, however.
for double statehood, and upon every
question before the body which might
be construed as bearing toward state
hood their proxies were skillfully
punched.
Some of the western and a few of the
northern counties were opposed to
statehood in any form. Judge L. NJ
Conkling was vigorous in his protests
against it He submitted that not more
than three-tenths of the occupied land
in old Oklahoma was now subject to
taxation, and that under existing laws
the lands in the Cheyenne, Arapahoe,
Pottawatomie, Sac and Fox countries
would not be subject to taxation for
several years, and, in the event of
statehood, the public burdens must be
borne by the few and not the many.
1t was alleged on the floor by west
ern delegate that there was jobbery in
the makeup of the credentials commit
tee in allowing the two delegates from
the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations to
cast 100 votes, and before quiet was re-
stored the convention came near break
ing up in row.
After recess J. W. McAdams, of the
Chickasaw nation, was elected perma-
nent president; J. r. Corrigan, of
Perry. vice president and E. A
Simpson and George Rainy, secretaries
The committee on resolutions. DEEM
ing it impracticable to draft bill to be
introduced in congress, in lieu thereof
submitted the following resolutions
and memorial, which were adopted:
To the Congress of the United States:
At delegate convention composed OF dele
gates from Oklahoma and Indian territory.
convened at Kingfisher. Ok, it was resolved
that we indorse the resolution adopted at the
Ell Reno statehood convention August 9, 1884,
and at the inter territorial statehood conyen-
tion held at Purcell in Indian territory Septem-
Der 30, 1898, and again requesting congress to
provide for the admission of Oklahoma and the
Indian territory one state and respectfully
ask congress 20 prov de by an enabling act for
the same:
We favor the abolition of all tribal govern
ments among the five civilized nations, the
complete division OF the common domain
among the citizens OF each nation and the In
dian territory be made a state with OKlaboma-
We. at the earliest period. ask that such di-
vision of the common domain of the citizens OF
the several Indian tribes shall be made TO them
equally and shall be alienable at their option
sdve the homestead of l5O acres TO each indi-
vidua, and provided further that sections IS
and 80 of each congressional township shall be
reserved for common school purposes, as per
treaty stipulations and provided further,
That any lands within the i've civilized tribes
Of the Indian territory now occupied as town
sites and upon which towns or villages are now
located shall not be divided or set apart to any
individual Indian, but the same shall be pat
ented to the occupants thereof for their several
use and benefit under the provision Of the gem
eral TOWNSHIP laws OF the United States. and
the proceeds of the sale be paid to the tribe or
nation in which the TOWNSHIP is located. and we
respectfully request that the committee on
territories prepa and introduce in congress
a proper bill embodying these ideas
Resolved. That this convention favors the
abrogation Of all existing cattle leases in the
Indian reservations in Oklahoma and that all
remaining unsettled reservations be thrown
open to settlement to citizens Of the United
States without delay.