The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-06-18
SHALL WE BE SERFS AND WARDS
OF OKLAHOMAP
The Muskogee Phoenix says:


and are vigorously on the defensive,
the Indian Territory is quite likely
TO receive another Knockout blow
at the coming session of Congress.
A scheme is being fomented in
Oklahoma-and Oklahoma has
some powerful allies on the outside
which if carried through will
subject the Five Civilized Tribes
to the almost absolute dictation of
Oklahoma politicians for the next
generation. Oklahoma will ask
admission as a state at the coming
session of Congress with the ex-
pressed or implied understanding
that, when the allotment and other
changes now under way in the
Indian Territory have been .suffi-
ciently perfected, her boundaries
are to be so extended as to include
the Five Civilized Tribes, thus in
the outcome making but one state
of the two Territories. 1t may be
further added that this plan is
looked upon with considerable
favor by many members of Con-
gress and the scheme has a fair
chance of being carried through
unless vigorous opposition is pre-
sented.
The Phoenix believes, as hereto
fore stated, that single statehood
is ultimately inevitable, and in
deed, when the time is ripe, we
are pot opposed to single state
hood. But we do most vigorously
protest against oklahoma forming
the nucleus of a state and estab-
fishing within her boundaries all
the machinery of a state and lOcat-
ing the capital city, selecting from
her citizens all the officers, creating
the constitution and enacting the
laws, to all of which. at a future
date, the Indian Territory must
subscribe aud must, however un-
just and discriminating in their
intent and result, be subjected.
The scheme simply means that the
Five Tribes are, during their
transition period, to be the foot
ball for Oklahoma, and when the
transition period is over to go in as
the tail of the Oklahoma kite. 1t
makes of this Territory a rich
vintage ground for Oklahoma
sp0ilsmen and holds US in the yoke
until every advantageous piece Of
nachinery. public patronage and
sectional favoritism can be grabbed
and applied. And those of us
who know the history Of Oklahoma
of the past ten years, know with
what ravenous greed the spoilsmen
sand politicians of that section
would take advantage of our help
less condition. 1t would be last
ing shame and gross perversiOn
of common justice to the half mil
lion residents of the Indian Terri
tory should Congress aid or make
possible the subsection of the Five
Tribes to Oklahoma's s yoke and we
hardly believe Congress will do
such a fragrant injustice if the mat
ter is shown up in its true light.
We, over on this side of the
Territory, have no objection to the
admission into the Union of Okla
homa. We care not how soon nor
in what manner she goes into the
Union, but we protest against be-
ing mortgaged in helpless condl-
ton, for judicial, legislative or ad-
ministrative purposes, to that state
pending the period we are devel-
oping our political status. When
the Territory goes in as a state or
becomes part of Il state she must
have voice in matters-must ex-
press her wishes as to location OF
state institutions, as to state laws,
taxation, etc. etc For Congress
to prevent this would be wilful
disregard of common rights, a dis
graceful completely in a corrupt
procedure.
The simple fact that the Terri
tory is without an accredited dele