The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-29

perintendent Hopkins, President Nor
row, Miss Sarah BoSworth ana otnerS
took part in the discussion.
The new officers elected by the teach
ers are as follows:
Observation-Disclosures L. w. Baxter, Of
Guthrie
Vice-presidents-Mrs c. o. CARING
house of Ponca City, Professor r. f.
Miller of Saltwater. and Superintendent
S. y. Hopkins of FL Reno.
Recording secretary-John Davis of
Blackwell
Corresponding secretary-M. Olivet
Thornly OF Saltwater.
Observation-Disclosures G.. W. Patrick
Of Shawnee.
Executive comittee-Professo J. Q.
Allen Of Edmond, Professor w y: lRce
Of Norman, and Superintendent How
ard Reed Of Medford.
STATEHOOD THE QUESTION.
Statehood is the engrossing question
all over the territory. The Iveliest
convention in the history Of Oklahoma
is what is predicted of the Oklahoma
City convention January s. Frank Nc
Master who talks more statehood than
any other man in Oklahoma has the
following prediction of that convention:
Statehood for a territory is simply
a political question, with the further
certainty that eastern sentiment Is con-
tinually antagonisitc TO the further in
crease of western power. This condi-
ton makes il essential that the political
sentiments of an incoming state are
Of sufficient consequence TO overcome
eastern opposition. In the case Of Okla
homa combination intervenes OF such
a nature as has most frequently favored
the admission Of new states, Of Demo-
+ a hafr "a
scented at the same time. Arizona and
New Mexico are Democratic POSSIBLE
ties while Oklahoma is a Republican
certainty. The Democratic house would
take no chances while the Republican
house seems favorable to a triDartite
bill. 1t is doubtful if ii would admit
either alone and certain that 1t would
not make a certain Democratic state.
This being the condition Of affairs
discussed as a Republican measure, in
the house, at least For this reason the
primary boundaries must guarantee
eRpublican majority and any addition
from the Indian territory would destroy
this fundamental condition.
IF these premises are correct the
only real question before a statehood
convention IS, statehood for Oklahoma
alone, or no statehood. Preference for
changed boundaries will not mitigate
these conditions and il is useless 10
discuss their merits.
In this condition OF affairs only two
counties are breaking from the Repub-
lican line, Logan and Oklahoma. The
Democratic territorial administration
opposes admission on the principle OF
hanging ito a good thing while you
have il. AS the territorial administra-
ton has no popular following it does
not speak for the Democratic party.
The majority of the Populist leaders
side with the Democratic adminiStra-
ton probably with no other reason than
to defeat the Republicans. OF course
none of these line are solid excepting
those of the Democratic administra on
which is in possession of the tactical ap-
paratus and sucking it freely.
with these discordant elements both
working together, and apart, what are
the possibilities, Certainly three and
probably not more than five of the
twenty-five counties at the coming con-
vention will oppose the Shawnee reso-
buttons, which will carry. Regardless
of their action however the state will
be admitted, If it is admitted as Re
publican measure. The present atti-
tude of Logan and Oklahoma counties
throws them out of the line with their
party and will seriously affect their
future possibilities in a coming state.
The animosities engendered will in
crease and among the results would be
the ascendancy Of the Kingfisher politi-
clan and the probable selection of King
fisher or Enid as the future capital.
1.-The most serious question is if the
constitution Of such a state would be
ratified. The chances for its success
would be first the strength of the Re-
publican party in its favor. Second
the Populists would find in it their only
avenue of state control unless they
could carry the next presidential cleo
ton which is doubtful. Third the anti
administra ton Democrats who are the
voting power Of that party would sup
port it. Fourth the OPPOSITION would
be scattered in party, with no possible
political gain from success and only
personal qualification in defeat. They
would be gurillas contending with or
ganiZed forces. The probable results
would he that in a vote of $4,000 at least
10000 and probably $1,000 would support
the constitution"