The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-04
BRADFORD
TALKS ON
STATEHOOD
Ardmore Man Wants Two
Territories United
IN ONE BIG STATE
Demands Will be Made in the
Next Session of Congress.
I'm ONE BIG STATE

& AyAtia am AAG4d4 lSit4lOlE. JUuSS DIdu-
ford is an enthusiast on the question and
wants TO see the two territories made
/ one great state. In an interview. Judge
Bradford said:
The question Of statehood is an all
important one to the people of both ter
ritories
The question is now engaging the at
tention Of the people as it never has be-
fore.
Elements not heretofore interested are
thoroughly around
1T viii not be so easy for men to di-
rect the energy intended for the good of
the cause into by ways into which little
or no good IS accomplished.
The commercial interests Of outside
cities are ready 10 help as first the issue
TO final result.
within ourselves we know we are well
especially we OF the Indian territory, for
we have no power at the ballot box but
when our friends who have the ballot
come to our rescue the scenes VIII shift.
The commercial demands of the Indian
territory are the demands of 400 900 peo-
pie a sufficient force to attract the at
tention oc the commercial orga anizations
of the great cities in neghboring states.
The annual excursions into and through
our territory has given them an idea Of
our present worth and future possibili-
ties
our development is their prosperity
and they have only to speak the word
and it IS done.
THE wonderful growth and prosperity
of Oklahoma is evidence Of the potency
Of organized government.
THE possibilities of the Indian terri
tory are as great if not greater than those
Of Oklahoma, and she is in her infancy.
There are two opposing elements We
we may say two extremeties in this con
test. One wants double statehood, that
is one state out of each territory. 1, at
one time had high hopes on that line.
They have long since been blasted Sin
glo statehood is inevitable. The other ex-
treme wants single statehood at once. 50
that the people of the Indian territory
car participate in framing the constitu-
ton under which we shall both live and
share equitably the benefits Of public in
stitutions.
In the eyes of disinterested party a
fair and equitable distribution of the pub
lie institutions IS a strong factor. States
men at Washington VIII not, for mo-
ment, entertain the idea of placating and
section by bestowing all the public bene-
fits upon it.
''The American citizen of the Indian ter
ritory IS as sacred to the general gov
ernment as the American citizen of any
other section and his public rights viii be
protected.
These two etremes will each contend
for their ideas and the time when the
question VIII be settled and the suffering
Of the people depends upon how soon the
great mass Of people win ofIer solution
which may be called a compromise. To
illustrate, let me say, Mr.. Flynn VIII pre-
sent and urge his statehood bin for ok
lahoma alone. He cannot do otherwise
from his point of view. Let his bIl PASS
the house and go to the senate and then
meet a single statehood bill pure and sim
pie.
THE two extremes will be heard, the
arguments fer The one. weakens the argu-
meut for the other, for they show that
the masses have not yet come together
AIr Flynn must necessarily contend that
the Indian territory is not yet ready for
organization and the advocates of i'm
mediate single statehood must contend
that the organization Of two states is un-
desirable aud unfair. and that the organi- /
zation Of oklahoma now and the attach
ment of the Indian territory afterwards
Is subverse TO the common rights Of the
Indian territory. citizens Of the one com
mon country.
Then opposing arguments persuades
TIE minds ot the lawmakers that some
where between these two extremes is a
settlement.
What is that happy medium that is
most likely 10 attract. the legislative
minds.
ut is to extend the lines Of Oklahoma
around the country OF the FIVE tribes.
Extend the laws and the system OF SOW
ernmeut over the two territories and
make one territory. Divide the Indian ter
ritory into counties and establish county
seats 1t is thought best 10 make large
counties so the burden Of the government (
VIII fan lightly. il is possible to make I
one county out Of each nation or tribe (
ApDortion the legislatures Of the com I
bined territory, so that the new counties +
would have a voice iu making the laws. /
Those living together Tor one or two years I
VIII so unify the people Of the two terri /
tories thst ue voice viii be raised against (
their admission into the unon Of states +
where viii shine IS one Of the brightest /
stars on the blue OF the dsE.
'you ask hoV soon can this an be 4
brought about. nv answer is at The com I
ing session ot congress.
III depends houever largely upon the +