Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-28
THE FORTY-SIXTH STATE.

'AA 80 AH
statehood this winter. A convention is
to be held at South McAlester on De-
cember 10. when the movement is to take
definite shape. There is certainly much
TO be said in favor of Oklahoma's claim
for admission. 1t now has a population
of 39s,2 PAS, which is a gain since 1890 of
oct, fla really marvellous showing. The
people are Industrious. as proved by the
fact that they nave converted a prairie
waste into a productive land. which in
1899 provided taxable values amounting
to $40, $50, Ala. and was a clear gain of
s., 600, coo in one year. It's population is
more than nine times. greater than that
of Nevada, and is growing rapidly, 50
that today it stands far ahead of nine
states and territories in the this respect
Utah, Montana, New Mexico, Delaware.
Idaho. Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada and
Alaska.
Although but eleven years old, Okla
homa already has sixty-eight territorial
and seven national banks. with a paid
up capital of 81, 200, 900. In 1895. it put out
140,0oo bales of cotton. worth 1000. 900, to
say nothing of it's big Touring mills, ele-
yators and factories, and great tlocks of
sheep and cattle.
Oklahoma has not made as much noise
in it's efforts to obtain statehood as some
other territories, but it has made good
its promises, and at the last election
placed itself solidly in the republican
column.
Our own state was admitted during
the very year that Oklahoma was Gre
ated, and now has 243, 2S9 population,
which is Just 154, 965 less thar Oklahoma.
Utah's population is 12l. $50 less thar
that of Oklahoma, and out of the latter,
two states equal in population to Della
ware could be created, with 2S,775 to
spare. 1t now has a population nearly
as great as North and South Dakota
combined had in 1880, and in respect of
inhabitants, is only 1900 behind Oregon.
Aside from all these considerations of
wealth and poulation. it is impossible to
scrutinize the reports on the condition of
the territory without being impressed
with the fact that it is a civilized land,
a progressive land. viii a high standard
OF morals. Great attention is paid to
movement does not seem possible in
Oklahoma.
New Mexico and Arizona will doubt
less renew their fight for statehood this
winter, but it is entirely likely, on the
showing made, that Oklahoma will re-
ceive first attention.
In the discussion of census matters,
Nevada is naturally coming in for a con-
siderable share of attention. It's poula-
ton is now only A., 900, and it is apparent
ly a decaying state. The history of it's
admission, however. is so closely inter-
woven with the romance of the nation
ira the people of the larger states are
very tolerant of it.
Nevada, the battle born state" was
admitted in 1864 at the time when the
thirteenth amendment to the constitu-
ton, prohibiting slavery, was up for &C
ton. 1t was necessary to the validity of
the amendment that it should be ratified
by three-fourths of the states, and pro-
~ceeding on the theory that the rebellious
states We're never out of the union, there
was needed one more loyal state in order
to carry it through.
The circumstances We're uniuue-un-
precedented. A constitutional conven-
ton was held in Nevada, a state corsti-
tuition adopted and, at an expense OF
: 5000 in gold. telesraphed to Washing
ton. The admission on this certified dis
/. patch was accomplished in time to save
r the abolition amendment.
:,
, There is palm in Gilead for Capt
Daily, of the Harvard football team, afte
p, all. His plucky eleven suffered a crush
l inc InfAnt last Sntvr1ny ~ Sl@ I--Y