The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-19
FIGHTS FLYNN 5 Bill
Its Kind of Statehood Is Not
Harry Gilstrap'S.
BETTER TO CONCENTRATE
On Free Homes Than Try Too
Much, He Says.
BETTER TO CONCENTRATE

Guthrie o. T, Dec 1g.-Harry Gil
strap. editor of the Chandler News, is
keeping up his opposition to statehood for
oklahoma as proposed il the measure
introduced in congress by Dennis Flynn,
and one of The results of this crusade has
already manifested itself in the proposed
calling OF single statehood convention
for some time next January. II is Gil
straps contention that every statehood
convention so far held has expressed
merely the sentiments of professional pol
i-icians to the exclusion of the feelings
OF the business and agricultural elements,
upon whom will fall the burden OF paying
:he expenses of the proposed state. 1t IS
believed that these two elements of the
territory, if given an opportunity to ex-
press their wishes, would declare almost
unanimously in favor of statehood that
will embrace the Indian territory; hence
the present talk of the calling Of con-
vention Of. the friends of single state
hokod.
Editor Gilstrap urges another objection
to the passing Of a statehood measure
al the present time in that it is men
ace TO the free homes bill On this line
he has the following to say:
The attempt being made by the state
hood agitators to force the statehood bill
to the front as the one measure before
congress of supreme interest to Oklahoma
Is nearly sure to injure the free homes
hot n
appeal for statehood is not inconsistent
With a petition for free homes, but, ad-
hitting for arguments sake that such is
the case. it is still true that If Oklahoma
asks for but one special favor she VIII
come nearer getting what she seeks than
if mr. efforts are divided. Il is generally
conceded that this is the time for the
supreme effort to secure free homes; that
should We fail with this congress it viii
not be worth while to renew our efforts IN
the future. 1t is certain that if half a
dozen lobbyists go to Washington this
winter to labor with all the energy Of
professional ofice-seekers for statehood
and 40 one but Mr. Flynn is there to
champion the free homes cause, that
members Of congress will conclude thae
We aIe not so eager for fre homes as
our delegate has represented. The state
hood matter can wait till the next session
or the next congress and no one vii SUI
Ter but ne politicians; but the free
homes bin cannot wait-it must be passed
this winter or not at all, and if it is a
sacrifice to the ambitions of the state
hood boomers every homesteader and ev-
cry business man will lie the loser. Il
will not pay to take any chances If the
1ree homes bill is to become law it will
require the cobined efforts of the people
OF OKIah. N3-every farmer, every bust
ness man. and every newspaper must do
is part 81 this force is to be divided
and the parts arrayed, in measure,
s,-aiusi elth other we cannot hope ior
success. Il is time fer the friends of free
homes To call the statehood agitators off.
Those who want the free homes bill TO
have a clear track and a fair show should
write to Mr.. Flynn and urge him to put
the statehood bill into cold storage for
the present. and then write to as many
congressman and senators as possible and
tell them we want free homes as a right
and urge them to help Mr.. Flynn. Let
our delegate concentrate his efforts on
free homes and give him proper support
and he will succeed; but push in the state
hood scheme OF Clarke. Ravens, ct al,
and there is not much chance"