The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-02
LEI CONGRESS ACI
Is the Sentiment of Many
Prominent Ell Reno Men.
STATEHOOD AS CERTAIN
In That Way, Probably, With
the Freight Paid.

Fl Reno, o. t. Feb. 1-(special)-The
Eagle correspondent has interviewed the
leading men of both parties in FL Reno
on the subject of statehood and here is
what they have to say:
c. o. Blake prominent lawyer and at
torney for the Rock Island railroad-I am
for statehood for Oklahoma. but do not
believe in hurrying the matter too much'
II is well enough TO go ahead and perfect
the preliminaries, but would IL not be Det-
ter 10 wait awhile and see what congress-
will do in the premises? constitutional
convention must be held, but do not ad-
wise the people of Oklahoma to put then-
selves to any unnecessary expense in cali
ing such a convention without the consent
and help of congress. Let congress pay
the freight, and I have no objection to a
constitutional convention being held next
June.
Ex-senator Charlie Carsweli, county at
torney-Yes, 1 am in favor Of statehood,
but would like 10 see a few OF the horny
handed sons of toll take part in the state
hood conventions. With one exception,
every man who went from here to the
Guthrie convention was politician, or
would like TO be one. With one exception
there was not a single farmer among the
entire delegation. 1t is all right to make
a big hurrah and shout for statehood, but
do it in a proper manner. Let congress
give its permission TO hold a constitutional
convention and pay the expense of such an
undertaking, and everything will be all
right but if the politicians who took part
in that convention at Guthrie undertake
TO call a constitutional convention without
the aid Of congress, the farmers and labor
ing men, the bone and sinew of the coun-
try, Will rise and give them such snow
ing under as they have not had for years.
Yes. I am for statehood, and we will get
it inside of two years If it is worked in
proper shape.
Bill Riley, chairman of the Democratic
central committee am sorry could not
attend the convention at Guthrie. but
am heartily in favor of everything that
was done there 1 may be wrong, but
think if we want to get dead cinch on a
convention the proper way
would be to let congress take a hand and
help us push the thing along. We have
plenty of time, for it is sure thing a
Republican congress will not work over
time for Oklahoma while ]. Y Callahan |
is our delegate. Whenever statehood does |
ccme no man viii welcome it more heart |
lily than I VIII. Statehood for Oklahoma
alone is what we want and 1 do not care |
how it is brought about.
Probate Judge W. H. Grigsby-Certainly |
am for statehood, and the sooner we
get it the better. 1 could not attend the
convention at Guthrie but everything that |
was done there meets with my approval. |
of congress in calling constitutional con-
vention. as it would save US a big expense.
But let the will of the people govern.
Postmaster George Wattson-I have al |
ways been for statehood, but do not be- |
leve in trying to get it in a harum-scaFum !
sort Of way. Let US go about ii right. |
so that We will not be obliged TO mourn |
for something we did in a hurry. We
have the population and the wealth-great-
er than many of the older states have |
We are law-abiding people, and think |
at an early date should aid in |
calling us a constitutional convention so |
that we may be able TO show the world |
that we earnestly want to become state. |
Let US have that constitutional conven- |
ton as soon as possible.
Judge Henry W. Franklin. who could not
attend the Guthrie convention but who is |
enthusiastic for SHAREHOLDERS. I am for |
statehood for Oklahoma alone I did think |
at one time it would he better 10 wait IN |
til We could take in the Indian Territory.
but Oklahoma has advanced so RAPIDLY |
that it will not be good policy to wait anv
longer. A constitutional convention could
be called next June with or without the
aid Of congress and it would not take
long after that before we could vote for
our own governor, senators and congress
men. I acquiesee in everything done ar
the Guthrie convention.
The above gentlemen are only few of |
those interviewed by the Eagle correspond |
ent' but they voice the sentiments Of all !
the prominent business and professional |
men of the city and county.
TO CERE