The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-11
MOI h CANDIDATE
Mckinley Of Oklahoma Has
No Political Aspirations.
IN STATEHOOD MATTERS
He Seems to Favor One Solid
Commonwealth.
IN STATEHOOD MATTERS

Guthrie o. T., Dec. 10.-A Globe-Demo-
crat special from Washington reports F.
E. Mckinley as discoursing on Oklahoma
affairs, to the following effect:
Mr.. f. E. Mckinley, a first cousin Of
the president, and receiver Of the land
Office at Guthrie. o. T., has made sew
erm visits to the White House during
the last few days on at least one Of
these occasions he had an extended con
versation with the president in regard
to Oklahoma affairs, but when seen by
your correspondent refused to divulge the
nature Of his visits insisting that they
were purely Of q social character.
In conversation with your correspond
ent he stated that he had no aspirations
to be governor
While the territory was enjoying an
unprecedented era Of prosperity. Mr.. Nc
Kinley said that it was seriously handi-
capped by jealousies among the people.
The territory has been the Mecca for men
of prominence from the east and south
and from the states adjoining it. all am
bilious for political and business adj
vancement- Harmony was out Of the
question while such conditions existed,
and until that could be secured the terri
tory could not hope for recognition by
congress. The factions were warning re-
lenuess war upon each other and state
hood was an fmpossibIity so long as 1t
continued, and from the present outlook
the end was far off. Another obstacle
to statehood was that legislation would
be required concerning the lands Of the
territory. Tn fact, it would be at least
three or four years before the territory
would be in condition to be admitted into
the Union Mr. Mckinley said that in
his opinion when this question was taken
up seriously it would be found necessary
to join with the Indian Territory, max
ing them one state This would make
population Of nearly 100000 people and
place the state on an equality with a
number Of others as to size, population
and resources.
The free homestead bin. passed last
session, he said, had been Of tnestimable
benefit to the people, saving the territory
about $17,000000 Every one was engaged
in some occupation and there was no idle
ness throughout the territory.
Tbs question Of moving the capital from
Guthrie TO Oklahoma city was another
particularly unpleasant feature Of the
factonal fight While it would be The
cause Of barshness and animoslty. Mr.
Mckinley did not think sufficient press
ure could be brought to make this change
at least at no early date, as the legisla-
ture now wa stO0 equally divided An
other thing he said. was that the rail-
roads would use their influence to have
the capital remain at Guthrie Oklahoma
City. he said. was the leading center Of
the territory from a commercial stand
point and to move the capital would
practically Kill Guthrie, and it was far
more preferable to have two live, active
cities than one
'The best interests Of Oklahoma" said
Mr. Mckinley, demand that harmony
should prevail before the territory can
advance and assume the place to which
it is entitled. This end Is being slowly
reached but it will take some time to
obliterate the factionaI strife.
To Mr.. BTcKinley's talk the Times-Jour-
nal takes exceptions in the following edi-
torial:
IT Nlr. II. ~. NcIAin4ey was correctly
reported by the Globe-Democrat. he says
Oklahoma is torn up by business. social
and political factions to her hurt. This
is mistake. There is no more harmoni-
Gus community in America than Okla
homa- business rivalry is sharp. to be
sure. but no one win claim that the rival
ry is Of such a nature that congressman
might see danger in it. To be sure, few
congressman are so happy as TO represent
so wide-awake and enterprising a lot of
business men as are attracting the at
tention of the world to Ohahoma.s un-
paraileUsd prosperity and Advancement.
The vigor of Oklahoma's business men
may appear too strenuous to people from
Sleepy Hollow. but when they come here
they soon take on the spirit Of the place
AS 10 political factions, # can lee truth
fully said there are fewer in Oklahoma
than in any Of tine surrounding states I'm
q dozen western states there are factions
In both parties that were so bitter be-