The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-01-31
srATEBooD AND SOME HIsroRY.

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STATEHOOD AND SOME HISTORY.
Since the question OF statehood is
! agitating our people to a greater de-
gree at present than probably any
other subject, except taxes, whatever
light can be thrown upon the question
may be Of service in shortening the
route by which it may be secured.
In the case Of several of the states
the constitutions framed by the terri
torial conventions were never submit
ted to a vote Of the people. Notably
was this the case when the territory
OF Missouri was admitted into the
Union, The constitution thus framed
and which was never voted on by the
people stood the test OF time from July
10th, 1920, until It was supplanted by
the drastic and obnoxious constitution,
the partisan work known as the Ora
konian' constitution OF 1865, and
which did not live long enough to
become a robust sucking. During
the sitting OF the territorial legisla-
ture Of lsls-19 ii memoriaized con-
gress for admission INTO the Union.
II was not until the 9th OF March.
1890, that congress authorized the ter
ritory Of Missouri to form a constitu-
ton and state government.
Under the act of congress the people
~ Mfeuntari thaK, has,,.r l.. -.
fifteen counties, were authorized to
hold an election on the first Monday
and the two succeeding days OF May,
1920, to choose representatives to
state convention, which was to meet
at the seat OF government on Monday,
June 18th. OF the same year. Forty
one delegates met in convention, aud
after q session OF thirty days, on the
10th Of July, 1890, concluded their
laSors by signing the constitution they
had formed. AS already stated, IL is
constitution took effect from the
authority OF the body itself, no pro.
vision having been made to submit 1t
to vote OF the people. 1t was a model
Of perspieuity aud statesmanship, and
because of this fact il stood the test Of
time for more than forty five years
without change.
owing to the slavery agitation at
the time clause in the constitution
prohibiting free negroes from settling
in the state, 1t was not until August
10th, 1921 that the territory was
admitted into the Union as a state,
and then under the proclamation Of
President Monroe. Previous to the
admission OF Missouri into the
Union as state a general election
was held throughout the territory for
state officers and legislative assembly
and other officers, as provided for in
the constitution adopted July 10, 1890.
This election was held August es, 1920,
and the general assembly so elected
met in st. Louis, the then temporary
seat Of government, on the third Mon
day in September. The first legisla-
ture consisted OF fourteen senators
and forty-three representatives,
Although the territory had not been
admitted into the Union there was no |
opposition to the officers elected tals. |
ing their Offices, and the whole ma
chinery OF state government was put |
in successful operation, aud among /
the first duties Of the legislature was
the appointment Of three supreme and |
four circuit judges and the election OF |
two United States senator's Barton
and Benton. The senators electad |
did not take their seats in congress
until the first Monday in Decem Der,
1921.
Besides these acts the legislature
created ten new counties and fixed the |
capital at the town Of ST. Charles un.
I'll October /, 1926.
Thus il will be seen that Missouri
had full state government-govern
elected by the people, two United
States senators, state supreme court,
three circuit court judges, legislative
assembly and the whole machinery of
state government in complete and sue.
eeessful operation nearly one year be-
fore she became one OF the states OF
Ahe Union.
%hers are more shsn q dozen OF the
states that did not Wail fos congress
TO authorize them TO organize state
governments, butproceeded TO do so of
their own volition and then submitted
their constitution and memorial TO
congress asking for admission on an
with the other states.