The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-01-11

dency for many years. for II Is known
to all IN that every law and agreement
that has been made in relation to the
Five Tribes. excludes the idea that hey
viii be ready for statehood Of any Kind
either simple or double for the next
decade. Whether the union Of the two
territories In statehood Is desirable or
not, need not embarras the admission
OF Oklahoma IN single particular.
while It is impossible and without pre-
ce6ent that the functions Of state gov
ernment would be operative on the In
dian tribes. or on their lands and prop
erty, and while we could gather but lit
tie Of material benefit by the union. 4
is within the power OF congress 80
attach all or any part Of the Indian ter
ritory 20 the state Of oklahoma at some
future time and u IS competent for ok
lahOma to register her consent IN the
formation OF her state constitution. The
question of the boundary Of the pro-
posed setate Of oklahoma, therefore
would not delay our admission for a sin
gle moment We arc ready. we arc quail
flied. we have the taxable property. the
Indian territory Is neither ready or will
ling. and has not n single acre Of land.
subject to taxation within it's borders
More, than this the Indian allotments
under the terms Of the agreements made
and to be made. win be exempt from all
forms OF taxation for period - twenty
five years. while no reservations have
been made for system OF common
school education or for higher institu-
fions Of learning These things are un-
fortunate. and in my judgment. mex
cusablc, but they are nevertheless true,
and they make Il certain that Oklahoma
should not delay her demands for state
hood for any reasons connected with the
Indian territory.
It has been assumed by some that Ok
lahoma win he denied statehood because
our political stability is not assured to
any political party. II this were true,
there Is neither justice or statesmanship
In the position. In view Of the circum-
stances by which we are surrounded. in
view Of tie promises made to the terri
tories by the party in power In national
convention and by all other parties, In
view Of the fact that there is now 70
division Of responsibility and no check
to action in all branches Of the general
and territorial government a failure to
redeem the pledge would be both hy-
1 R0NA4AANai stilA nAbiihllEnka nN iAO Ai'AUe
assume that there viii be any hesitation
on the part on congress TO pass an en-
abllng act, The people OF Oklahoma and
the people Of the United States are in
| ielligent and alert and no policy Of eva
sion or neglect will satisfy with the de-
| nand for justice on the part Of four
hundred thousand American citizens
| ere local and national success of po'it-
I 4.
| he faithful redemption OF the oblga-
! lions they owe TO the people and the
history OF the past assures that a viola
ton OF this fundamental principal Of ac-
| tlon Is an invitation to defeat.
Strong in qualifications and in purpose
an. confident In the justice OF our cours,
let the people Of Oklahoma unite as one
man. In demanding the rights that sure
~ belong 70 us-the right to form state
constitution and TO elect a state gov.
lernment-the right to govern ourselves
When these rights have been secured
and these great objects accomplished
we shall surely enter upon new career
OF development and prosperity as WI
forsee the irresponsibllity and extravagent
conditions connected with territorial rule
and enter into the broad sunlight o
statehood and independence. And where
and who is the good citizen who viii noi
feel prouder OF Oklahmoa and proudei
Of our common country, when that da,
shah come. Let our public policy be care
ful OF the present and mindful Of the IA
ture--a policy Of impartial statesman
ship-and let one and all declare. Al
haii To the coming state Of Oklahoma
with equal rights, with equal suffrage
with equal laws.