The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-11
SIR|)NGON STATEHOOD
Is the Letter of ]. c. Pringley
of Harvey, 0. 7.
HE WANTS IT SINGLE
Draws an Argument From the
Railroad Situation.
IE WANTS 1T SINGLE

Guthrie, o. T., Jan. 1o-Hon. j. G.
Pri1gey, of Harvey, o. T, has written
for the Eagle a strong letter on the ques-
ton of statehood, in which he takes the
position that single statehood, embracing
both Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
should be the ultimate destiny Of the two
territories. Mr.. Pringey is well known in
Oklahoma politics: He was member Of
the council in the Second legislature,
subsequently, was one of the regents of
the University Of Oklahoma. and at the
present time is the Republican territorial
committeeman for Lincoln county. Mr..
Pringey's letter is as follows:
THE agitation Of separate statehood is
again upon US The politicians and the
Santa Fe and Rock Island railroads want
SEPARATE statehood. The farmers and
business men OF our territory entertain
but one thought on this subject, and that
is for single statehood. Our separate
statehood friends short time ago met in
Oklahoma City, about fifty in number
not a regularly authorized delegate
there and appointed Senator Clark as a
paid lobbyist to go to Washington and
work for immediate statehood. With all
respect for Mr.. Clark, but he no more
represents the wishes of the people Of
Oklahoma than does Beelzebub, the
prince of darkness, represent the white
winged angels of light. The people are
Indifferent on this subject, because they
never have believed that congress would
makeftwo little 2x4 states down here. But
congress is being told that we are unit
on this subject. 1 believe the people
should let congress know the facts in the
case. Mr. Flynns statehood bill provides
that congress may in its discretion add
any portion Of the Indian country. Con-
gress is powerless until the Indian ques-
ton is adjusted and then all can be added
to Oklahoma, and I think Mr.. Flynn s
bill should LIS provide.
Our friends who are pressing state
hood. if they could get single statehood
tomorrow or separate statehood for Ok
lahoma this afternoon, would say, Give
1t to me before the sun goes down
IN the discussion Of this question our
friend might just as we'll be candid.
With statehood in our present form the
Santa Fe and Rock Island railroads will
always be the center Of population of our
little state. With the Indian country
added the center of population and
wealth will be far east of these lines.
Statehood in our present form. and We
Immediately go into a fight over the To-
cation of the capital. The contest will be
between those two railroads. The sue
10 he of Z "a
state institutions to the other road. Then
all of our public buildings viii be almost
in sight of one another, on these two
lines of road.
There is another potent fact our
friends have not mentioned, and that is,
with statehood in our present form, the
influence of these two lines Of railroad
viii name the two United States sena-
tors Rather than lose this prestige they
are urging immediate statehood. 1t IS
time the people should speak on this sub
iect The eastern part Of Kansas pays
the taxes. and so will eastern Oklahoma
defray the larger part of our state ex-
penses. With statehood in our present
form, when the government withdraws
the $4,000 annually that she today gives
US in defraying our territorial expenses,
and by the time we have built our state
house and other institutions, we will
have placed a bonded debt upon our chill
dren that when they have it to pay they
viii stand at our graves and condemn
our ashes.
These same boomer friends tell US
that our population and taxable wealth
is greater than many of the territories
when admitted We admit all this, and
/ will go you one better-we had a great
er population in Oklahoma the night be-
fore the country opened than did many of
the states when admitted. All other ter
ritories, when taken into the Union,
have had unbounded miles of vacant land
and as soon as immigration claimed it
the burden Of taxation was lifted from
the shoulders of the few. All Of ORG ag-
ricultural land is taken; our population is
fixed, except the natural growth of our
cities and towns.
i think as little of a territorial form