The Wichita daily eagle., 1898-01-08
ARE POLLED
Continued from First Page.)

matte conditions. industrial possibilities.
and in fact everything but crossroads
POLITICAL ambitions demand IL. 1 believe
the Almighty intended these territories
to be joined in statehood, and for man 10
place them asunder means only that a
MANNED and abortive commonwealth shall
be brought into being"
". II. Taylor OF Pond Creek: "In my
Judgment statehood for Oklahoma should
be deferred for three years. AT that time
all lands may be assessed for purposes Of
taxation, and the present tribal govern
ment OF the Indian Territory abolished
Then congress may create single state
from these territories, in resources and
fertility Of soil, second TO none west Of
the Mississippi river. and one able 10
maintain les standing in the sisterhood Of
states. with dignity and honor"
W. 2. HenseI of Guthrie: lam in favor
OF statehood-frst, single statehood. Sec
ond, statehood in any event, and upon
any lines. We have outgrOwn swaddling
clothes. We have reached the point re-
quired Of any former territory before ad-
mission as a state. It is desirable. upon
the same principle that the age Of ma
jority IS desirable. 1t is desirable be-
cause the permanent safeguard of a peo-
pie is their right to select. without let or
hinGrance, those who shall administer
the law It is desirable because We have
the right to z voice in the selection of
president and 10 have a voice and votes
in the making of the laws under which
we shall live, because taxation will not
be materially increased. for the perfect
exercise Of our rights and we have the
right to direct in these matters
r. z. Burns of Saltwater: The agita-
tion for statehood seems 10 me premature,
considering the questions now before con-
gress relative 70 the Indian Territory and
the opposition TO admitting two states.
The IndSin question must not only be
settled by law but finally adjudicated by
the supreme court Of the United States
before any definite measures can be
adopted looking 70 the admission of the
two territories as one state. That Okla
hona possesses wealth and resources suf-
fcient 10 maintain herself as a state can
be doubted by but few. But considering
also our political condition, our opposi-
ton to the party in power. il seems 10 me
a useless task at present"
a. a. Byers of Newkirk: statehood is
as desirable TO a territory as manhood is
to q boy, or womanhoOd is to a girl. The
test as TO whether we are entitled 10
statehood or not is. are we physically,
mentally. morally and financially able to
shoulder the responsibilities and per-
form the functions of a state? / think
Oklahoma has all the essential qualifica-
tions in full. heaped. and rounded meas
ure, and would now make as robust and
vigorous a young state as was ever born
into the Union. The people are always
better satisfied when the laws are ad-
ministered by officers of their own choos-
ing. And 1 believe laws are better ad-
ministered both by executive and judici-
ary when the officer stands in the awful
presence of the chastising rod of public
opinion. drawn ready TO strike at the
first treacherous move"
George W. Buckner of Guthrie: 'I IA
vOr single statehood. My reasons are
that the land lying in the Indian Terri
land 10 that of Oklahoma and especially
the western portion. Single statehood
would double the wealth of the territory
and its commercial importance. would re-
duce our taxes and place us on a financial (
standing with any state or territory. /
From the standpoint of politics. l am not /
prepared 10 say l favor forcing the IN /
dams 70 allotments and opening the coun- 4
try to settlement, hut If such should be I
done, 1 oppose allowing the Indians to 1
select ailotments, as in the past The al /
lotments should simply be selected in one /
group for each Of the five tribes. Ny OBJ /
servation has been that Indians scattered |
among white settlers Go not get along 1
well together
F. P. Whistler OF Kingfsher: ct am for /
statehood-First because I believe in self /
Gornment- Second. the people who feel /
and observe their own needs are more ca
Dable Of selecting their own Official /
servants. Third. because the people Of /
Oklahoma stand second 70 none in intel |
ligence. industry and frugality. Fourth. /
because a higher state OF citizenship can /