The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-10-16
OIR vtfkIT WASHINGTON l[TI[f
QUESTIONS OF SINGLE OR u0UBLE
sfATEh0cD.
Reasoas For and AGaiast Either Ase
hleaeioaed = why Tsrritories should
~ BeeOme States and why lndlan
Territory 10 Net Yet Ready.
to tha Ardmoreite.

Special to the Ardm0reite.
Washington. d. o., Oct. IA de-
termiDed effort will be made during /
the coming session of congress to
secure statehood for the Territory OF
oklsnoma. Plans are already being |
laid to accomplish this, with fair
prospects of success. The move
ment received its first impetus when |
the platform Of the republican, and |
democratic parties were adopted by |
the national conventions. Both |
platforms contain specific declara-
tions in favor OF the early admission
Of the Territories of New Mexico,
Arizona and Oklahoma to statehood.
This declaration was inserted in both |
platforms at the solicitation of the
same men in the three territories
above referred to. The object of
this was to commit both parties in
favor of the proposition, so that
there would be no opposition from
either party In congress next winter
when the bills for the admission of
Oklahoma. New Mexico and Arizona
come up for consideration.
OF the three bills now pending be-
fore congress the one providing
statehood for the Territory of Okla
homa has by far the best chances
Of becoming law. 1t is one of the
pet measures of Delegate Dennis T.
Flynn the yigilant and popular young
representative from Oklahoma. Since
the passage Of the Free Homes Bill
at the last session of congress-
measure introduced and championed
by Mr.. Flynn-the Okiahoman has
concentrated his efforts on his other
pet measure, providing statehood
for his Territory. In this Mr.. Flynn
has q double motive. First, he be-
lieves that Oklahoma is clearly en-
titled to statehood, possessing far
more than the requisite number of
population, and a citizenship the
equal in point of intelligence, ener-
gy and thrift of almost any of the
Western states; and secondly be-
cause the admission of Oklahoma
into the union will carry with it for
him seat In the United States sem
ate, as his election to the latter place
in the event he is able to secure
statehood for the Territory seems to
be an assured fact.
The most serious obstacle in the
way of the successful passage of the
Oklahoma bill is the division of pub
lie sentiment with relation to the
question of how the territory
should be admitted into the union
as state. Upon this question opin-
ion, both in congress and in Okla
homa, is divided. Some advocate
the admission of Oklahoma as it now
exists, while others insist that Okla
homa and Indian Territories should
be consolidated. This latter propo-
sition finds far more favor among
the members of the house than the
former, particularly among the men,
bers Of the Committee ON Territories
of the house and senate. 1t is in
sisted by many that Oklahoma with
its present limited territory would
be entirely out of proportion in size
to the other western states, but by
Including the Indian Territoy 1t
would not only have an adequate
population but an adequate area.
1t is also pointed out that Oklahoma
Sn nIwv 49, II
country, while the Indian Territory
possesses valuable coal and mineral
deposits which would give q state a
diversity of interests which would
not render the people wholly de-
pendent upon a single pursuit.
But another consideration is the
question of the ability of the people
to support independent state gov
ernments In the two territories. 1t lie
believed by those who have made a
study of this question that separate
states would impose burdensome
taxation upon the citizens, far be-
yond that of almost any other state
In the union. In years when crops
were pooS in Oklahoma it would be
exceedingly difficult for the people
to meet the taxes imposed upon
them. With the two territories con-
solidated the taxes would be dis
tributed among q much larger popu-
lation with q greater number OF
industries to share in the expense OF
the povernmant
In opposition to the proposition OF
the admission of the two territories
into the union as one state, it is be-
ing urged that the Indian Territory,
at present, is not In O condition for
state government. The tribal forms
I of government are still In existence
and will continue, under treaty stip-
ulaticns. for several years to come,
and until the terms of these govern
ments expire IL would be impossible
to extend statehood to the Indian
Territory.
The advocates of this proposition,
however, have come forward with q
solution which, 1t is believed, will
meet all the requirements of the
case. They propose the immediate
III v.f~ains, ~ nLla h@. .-xSA -