The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-30
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30, 1899.
SfDNEr cLARKE on sr1fEBOoD.


ideas. but his mind is clear ana scin-
tillatiug on the topic in question. We
have always contended that single
statehood is the most feasible and the
more easily acquired at the hands Of
congress, but rather than have the
present form OF territorial government
tackled on us for ten years more we
are willing to be favored with "a state
in any form, and 20 per cent Of the
people Of Oklahoma feel the same
way.
In an article eaptioned Ready for
Statehood Mr.. Clarke says: Okla-
homa is ready for statehood. Iu this
year, 1899. 1t celebrated its tenth birth
day. In single decade il has cxhib-
tied marvellous panorama in the
progress Of American civilization. The
world never saw the like before. IA
will never see it again Oklahoma
demands admission into the family of
states II demands all the rights of
self government because /, is entitled
TO them and worthy of them.
Oklahoma, with the exception OF
Beavereounty, is within the limits Of
the Louisiana purchase. BY the third
article OF the treaty between the
United states and France the people
Of Oklahoma have guaranteed TO them
the right to be admitted into the
Union as a state ''as soon as possible
according 10 the principles OF the fed.
eral constitution. s Stat, p. 2O2
Oklahoma is larger than Indiana.
It is nearly as large as the state OF
Ohio, 1t has an area of 3s,7l5 square
miles, or 24,777.s75 acres # has 600
square miles Of water surface, 29O
more than the state of Kansas. 1t
exceeds the total area of the six states
of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey
and Delaware. There are twelve
states containing less area than
Oklahoma.
The population Of Oklahoma in Sep
tember, 1899, is not less than 400 900,
and rapidly increasing. OF the thirty
one states admitted into the Union
since 1890, four states, including Ore
gon, had less than $4,000 population at
the date OF admission, eight states less
than 10000, nine less than 100, 900, six
less thea 100000, one less than 300, 900,
and only three in excess Of 500, 900.
Number Of school children in Okla,
homa, l0l, ,474.
Number of daily papers, IA; week
lies, los; monthlies, 10.
Assessed valuation, 1899, sac, ose, ,4l2.
Real value Of property, sloO, 900, 900.
FIGURING mills, ssi daily production,
1900 barrels.
The wheat crop Of 1898 was about
3o,ooo,0Oo bushels. The crop OF 1895
will probably reach 80, 900, 900 bushels.
Cotton crop Of 1895, 1901 bales:
estimated crop Of 1899, e5O, 900 bales.
Corn crop, 1899, 75, zoo, 900 bushels.
Cattle, March ], 1898, 77O, 600; in 500
1000, oooi horses, 90o.OOo mules, &C, 900
sheep $4,000
Fruit trees, assessors returns for
1886. i,64s, I5l.
Castor beans, ls9s, 60O,O0O bushels
Cotton seed oil mills. q.
Nearly 10000 miles OF railroad
are operated and in course OF con-
struction,
There are So territorial and ma
tional banks Ia the territory.
Oklahoma is half way between the
north and south. Every variety OF
agricultural products is produced in
abundance here
There is some opposition to state
hood for Oklahoma. II embraces but
small per cent OF the population.
and IS mostly confined to the official
class, aud TO those who decry the ca
pability Of the people for self govern.
ment
Every progress -e element in the ter
ritory fasors the lrly admission OF
Oklahoma as state The farmers,
merchants, mechanics and all classes
alike look ahead TO more stable con
ditions that will come with statehood.
They fully comprehend that II means
lower taxes, better code Of laws, and
the establishment OF more thorough
system Of educational, charitable and
penal institutions. The growth Of the
territory has been phenomenal, and it
is believed viii be more SO in the fu-
ture.
Much more might De added show
Ing that okiehCms is ready Tor state.
hood. Two quotations will suffice.
In the Official report to the seere-
Iary Of the interior, Governor Barnes
Barnes said "No msn Of sonnd mind
'an doubt that measured by all Che
Itandards and preeedenss by which
he weetern states hsve been admit |
ed 10 the union, Oklahoma is clearly
'ntitied to statehood
On the esd day of Nay, 1896, the