The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-05
FOR 0NE SIAIE only.
Lincoln County People Re-
solve in Favor of Union
WITH INDIAN TERRITORY
With This Sentiment Delegates
Elected to South MCAIeSteE

Chandler. o. T., Dec. 4--The mass con
venuon which was held here satu-day to
elect Lincoln c0unty's twenty-five dele-
gates to the south McAlezter ateEood
convention was presided over by " T.
wills, a Democrat, while J. q. Jndsr-
wood, a Republican, acted as secretary.
Those il attendance were about equally
divided as to politics. but there was no
division Of sentiment on the question of
single statehood, every one present hear
THY approving Of statehood for the two
territories as one. The resolutions adopt
ed were as follows:
We. the people Of Lincoln county, as
sembled in mass convention at Chand-
Ter for the purpose of electing delegates
to the South lIcAlester single statehood
convention, declare our belief in the fol-
lowing statement Of facts.
F'irst-The ultimate union of Oklahoma
and the Indian Territory under one state
government is inevitable regardless OF
political Influences CT local agitaUons,
and the people Of Lincoln county believe
that such a union, though open TO some
objections. VIII. on the whole, best pro
tect and promote the interests of the peo-
pie who now live in the two territories
and those who may hereafter reside here.
Second-The permanent good Of the fu-
ture state is of vastly greater imo5r+ ance
than is the temporary good Of any see
ton of either territory, and we condemn
any policy which would shape the course
Of statehood legislation for local or per-
sonal advantages.
Third-The problem which now demands
most urgently our attention is one as to
what course viii most speedily and har-
moniously bring about the union Of The
Two territories under state government
with those conditions which win best in
sure the progress and prosperity Of the
state in the future. We do not believe
that the conditions are yet favorable to
the immediate formation of a state out
Of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory. /
neither do we believe that it would be lust
10 the people of the Indian Territory nor
favorable to the interests Of the future
state 70 admit Oklahoma at once and
afterward add the Indian Territory a little
at a time. We believe that the Indian
Territory needs and is entitled to some
form Of self-governmeut at once. and we
do not believe that it would be just to
add q large area of land with a large and
intelligent population to a state in the
formation OF whose government they hal /
been allowed no voice. When Oklahoma /
and the indian Territory are united they
should enter upon statehood at the same
time and with equal rights and privi-
ieges, for 1T is only through such a course
that he harmony and cooperation Of the
people Of the two territories under one
state government can be insured We
therefore favor the immediate union Of /
the two territories under single terri |
toriaI government Such a course would /
give an opportunity for an differences b. !
tween the two territories. If any there be. 1
to be harmonized before The responsible :
work Of forming a state government is |
undertaken Tt would insure to the PEG /
pie of the Indian Territory the same de- |
gree Of self-government that Oklahoma /
has enjoyed in the past and under which /
Oklahoma has developed and prosperel |
beyond amy precedent in the history of /
the Union Tt would hasten the removal 4
If the barriers which now prevent the
admission of the Indian Territory TO
statehood. The participation in the terri
torial government by the people If the
Indian Territory would do much Ia rre-
pare them for statehood. and the sharing
of mutual responsibilities and the friend
ly ssociat0ns with each other would pre-
pare the people of the two territories for
the most efficient and harmonious work
when 10 shall become their duty TO par
ucipate in a constitutional convention.
Fourtn-As means of accomplishing
The union of the two territories under q
single territorial government. we would
approve OF the passage Of an act by the
coming session Of congress that would
extend the laws Of Oklahoma over Ha
Indian Territory. the act 10 become eueo-
tive. say July l. 1901 such act should
provide also Ter the DIVISION % the in
dian Territory into counties. the fixing IF
the county seats. and the appointment o.
county officers to serve temporarily; #
should provide for Increasing the ;2em-
bership OF the territorial legislature 10
about twice the present number and so-
The immediate apporuonment of the two /
territories into legislative districts on tha
basis ~ the census of 1902. it should lro-
vide for a special election 10 he bs.I n
November, 1901 at which the people Of
the whole Ow0 territories should vote
for members of the legislature. while the
voters of the Indian Territory would also
vote for county officers TO serve un.u n
regular biennial election in 1902: it should
provide for the legis .ature thus elected 10
assemble at an early date. thus Giving
opportunity for a change in any of she
existing laws that might nos De sH-ed q
the needs Of the Indian Territory ana for
the immediate enactment OF such staiu7es
Rs thc conditions I'm the Indian TerrHcrg
might demand; 81 should provide Jhat tbs
nine federal Judges who are u1w sewing
O. Che two territories should be re.aine1
with. perhaps. the addition 81 one or two
more 5udees all Of whom sh5ul5 scrve
as district judges. ana for the creation
u an appellate or supreme court the