The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1900-12-30

OKLAHOMA TERRITORIAL UNIVERSITY AT
NORMAN.
Any objector to Oklahoma who thinks
we have only Indians here ought to
come here and talk to some Of our up
to date, progressive farmers and n1sf-
ness men.
Speaking seriously, Oklahoma has an
indisputable claim to admission as a
full fledged state and freedom from the
shackles of territorial government.
Within the u years since it was open
to white settlement the territory has
grown beyond the most hopeful expec-
tations of its early settlers. OF course
they looked forward to statehood, be-
ing good Americans, but they did not
think that in so short q time they
would be able to demand it as a right.
Nothing since the admission Of Califor-
MIA has shown forth so well the genius
of the American people for colonial
ton and their fitness to take wilder
ness and make of it a civilized commu-
nifty.
Figures talk In addition to our
area and our population. which alone
should entitle Us to admission, Oklaho-
ma proudly sets forth statistics i'm
proof of our claim that we deserve the
right of ranking with the other Sec
lions of our common country. We pro-
duce annually nearly 35 ZOO, 900 bushels
of wheat. 100000 bushels OF corn,
10000 bales Of cotton, $4,000 head OF
cattle, $4,000 barrels Of -four, while
our climate is particularly adapted to
fruit growing. The climate here Is SUI
perb and unexcelled anywhere.
Although 1t is true that II years ago
the Indians roamed around loose over
this territory, poor Lo cuts very small
figure in the Oklahoma of the present
In the first place, he is outnumbered
30 to 1 by the whites, so he couldn't
be a danger If he wanted to be. In the
second place, he doesn't want to be-
There are only about 1900 of them.
and the great majority are educated
industrious and law abiding. Along
with white mems ways, they have
adopted white mems clothes, and the
tepee has given place to the frame
, house. 1t is an interesting fact that
one tribe of Oklahoma Indians, the,
Osages, are said to be the richest peo-
pie In the world.
The history of Oklahoma Is short
Until 1889 white folks were scarce,
but In April of that year, when the ter
ritory was opened TO settlers an army
of boomers" swept in. They liked the
fr.y ca xr-all fh0f fhnv cfafA horn
and others followed their good exam
pie. From time to time the territory
has been added to with land from Tex
as and from Indian Territory. Speak
! ing of Indian Territory. the Fairbanks
bill for the admission of Oklahoma,
which is now before congress. provides
that Indian Territory shall become part
of Oklahoma This does away with
the objection that the admission OF
Oklahoma would certainly mean the
admission OF Indian Territory as a
state.
Oklahoma need not be ashamed to
compare its advance in mercantile and
educational matters with any of the
states. We have grown wonderfully
In these respects, and the surface cr
the territory is dotted with factories,
banks and schools. Guthrie. the capi-
tai and metropolis Of the future state,
has a population Of about 1900 and
is a thriving little city whose trade
with the adjoining states and with Ok
lahoma itself is growing every day to
greater and greater dimensions 1t is
advancing in every way, and what is
true of Guthrie is true Of all Of the 9th
er towns that have sprung up In so
short a time IN oklahoma
In view Of all the reasons that might
be urged and of the fact that no valid
objection exists we Oklahomans feel
we are asking only right when we de-
mand admission as a state.
! GEORGE w. MAXWELL.
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