The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1894-12-27

Yesterday from soJourn oil TWO
weeks at the nations capital He APP |
pears hale and happy and gives one
the impression that Washington ozouc f;
agreed with him. Arrived at his
Office the territorial executive was
soon busy engaged in dieposing OF
dense mass of accumulated business,
but he had time TO heartily welcome
his many callets.
~ had a highly delightful trip,
said the governor, in response to a
query. 81 visited all the depart
ments: was cordially treated and
talked with scores of senators and
representatives in the halls OF con
gress on subjects affecting the interests
and welfare of Oklahoma. This ses-
sion Of congress is grinding very
slowly. and do not think much busi-
ness will be disposed Of. | heard Mr.
Bryan's brilliant talk on tie cur
rency question, as well as the urgu-
ments Of other statesmen of lesser i'm
portance. As for the currency ques-
ton, congress can hardly get through
with the measure this session. The
weather in Washington is delightful,
in fact. as balmy as Oklahoma, and
when at leisure, / enjoyed strolls over
the attractive city
Referring TO the subject of statehood
for Oklahoma, Governor RenfrOw was
not elated, and from opinions gathered
from the national lawmakers, he
holds the impression that nothing
whatever will be done in the matter
of giving statehood to Oklahoma this
session of congress. He thinks, how
ever, that the Indian question will be
considered in all its phases and that
something will be done with the five
nations Either the Berry or Jones
bill will be favorably acted upon and
the Indian treaties abrogated, but
Oklahoma's statehood dream will not
be realized.
'In regard TO the making OF one
state composed of oklahoma and the
Usage country, / would gladly endorse
such scheme, but it is not feasible.
Congress- sole idea now is to legislate
in some manner for the five tribes, and
it would be as easy for us TO get the
entire FIVE nations as the Usage coul-
try alone. The Osages desire TO stick
TO Oklahoma, and they being enlight-
ened, industrious people their wishes
should be consulted, but congress will
ignore appeals and wind up with
either a commission or territorial form
of government for the five Indian
tribes Our only hope for getting a
good sized state is TO advocate the ad-
mission of oklahoma with the four
fifths of the Chickasaw country, lead
ing TO the east line This cuts out the
Indians and places them in the Indian
country proper and leaves a large, fer
tile section of country, which is ropu-
lated almost exclusively by white peo-
Pile. believe this white population
is estimated TO be over 75, 5,0O0.'
Governor Renfrow has been
charged with preparing a bill, fix
ing statehood lines, and cutting of
the Usage country. The bill was pre-.
pared 10y Mr.. Ledbetter, of Ardmore,
and makes no such provisions. The
Usage country is not considered
neither are any OF the Indian tribes
holding lands through treaties The
bill merely recommends form OF
statehood for Oklahoma including the
Chickasaw slice, in accordance with
the views above given. The bill di-
vides the added country into counties.
and recommends that it be made one
judicial district; the bill also provides
for four additional councilmen and
eight representatives.
Governor Renfrow gives hearty ad-
vocacy TO the bill Of Congressman
Jones, of Arkansas. This bill restores
TO the Indians their equitable share of
lands, and of course makes of the In
dian a citizen. The passage of this
bill followed by a statehood measure,
the governor thinks is the one weighty
way TO present our claims for admis-
sion into the union Mr.. Renfrow con-
ferred with the leading statesmen of
the country while at .he capital and
found many war; friends of Oklaho-
ma among them. He heard every
phase of the statehood question dis
cussed by congressman, and is fully
cognizant Of the action that will be
taken when the matter Of statehood is
reached
As regards the bill OF Congressman
Jones it provides that the secretary of
the interior shall survey the territory
now fully occupied by the
Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws,
Chickasaws and Seminoles and that The
sum of s425, 900 be appropriated for
the work. After the survey the In
dian commission shall cause the
towns therein 10 be plated. II the
different tribes have prepared rolls
upon which appear the names Of al
those entitled 70 share in the divis
ion Of said lands, including the Choc
taw and Chickasaw freedmen, anc
there are no applicants claiming tn,
right to have their names put on saiC