Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-25
FIGHTING FOR STATEHOOD.
Sentiment Growing in Oklahoma and
Indian Territory-convention Next


Muscogee, I. T., Oct. 25.-The single
statehood convention called to convene
next month has aroused general interest
thruout the Indian Territory. Every
town sends up q voice in the general cry
for political freedom, and the CONNER
cial development that is sure to follow.
C. e. Castle, chairman Of the single
statehood committee. has returned from
Oklahoma City. Mr.. Castle is well
pleased with the work OF the single
statehood committee, and spoke very en-
couragingly of the passage Of an en-
aiding. act by the incoming congress
Being asked what plan, II any, Is agreed
upon he said:
There is a definite and well-under-
stood idea as to what will be embodied
IL the bill that will be introduced in both
the house OF representatives and the
senate very soon after congress con-
yenes. We want to fight but one battle.
80 all the necessary provisions must De
included in one act. The bill that Is be-
iEg prepared will provide for the union
Of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory
under the territorial government OF OK
lahoma; for the division OF the Indian
Territory into counties. further proVid-
ing for a constitutional convention and
fixing the date for 1t to convene. The
constitution, when framed by the con-
yention, will be submitted to the people
for ratification by popular vote. And
upon its ratification we shall be state
by proclamation of the president OF the
United States. BY this plan Oklahoma
and the Indian Territory will come into
the union together, at the same time. In
the same way, on an equal footing
making the two territories one great,
wealthy and mighty commonwealth IN
the union Of states"
Mr.. W. E. Halsell, of Vinita, says
that the Oklahoma indebtedness Is what
he objects to- The Indian Territory, he
says, is too small to make q healthy
state, as taxation would be too high.
Politics should not be considered in this
statehood talk. This Is business ques-
ton, and the business men and taxpay-
ers generally should consider 1t. TOR they
are the ones who will pay the bills they
are the ones who are bone and blood
of the body polite. and scheming politi-
clans should be relegated to the rear.
Both of the twin territories combined
are not as large as the state OF Missouri
in area. We do not want any Rhode
Island or Delaware out west; but give
5us a large. healthy state. where ma
jorIty of the people will not be office
holders, but good, steady business men
and farmers.
The leading citizens OF both the Cher
okee and Creek nations express them
selves correspondents as in favor of
making state out of each territory.
hut at the same time they do not ex-
press their views very strongly.
Col. w. T. Hutchings, Of Muscogee.
says: II am unequivecally in favor OF
single statehood. 1t would be impossi-
BILE to get any other. / would, as mat
ter of pride, prefer a state made wholly
out OF the Indian Territory, but know
this to be impossible from the many In
terviews have had with congress-
men,"
Col. D. NJ. Wisdom. ex-United States
Indian agent, says he has always been
in favor OF single statehood. want q
big state" the colonel declares, one
that will<help swing things, and not q
pent-up Utica"
Col. Robert Watson. of Muscogee, also
favors single statehood.
Judge John r. Thomas believes single
statehood is inevitable, and says: Il
would prefer double statehood. but the
logic or events and the general condi-
ton of affairs here indicate that we
must come to single statehood, and, II 1t
must come, am in favor of it coming
at the earliest possible movement.
Hon. Tams Bixby, acting chairman OF
the Dawes commission. says: II be-
lieve that Oklahoma will be admitted
soon, but 1 also believe the territory
will not 20 in with it. There will be
provisions made, think. to annex the
territory to Oklahoma. but the annexa-
ton will come as the nation gets ready
for it,
Col. j. Blair Shoenfelt, United States
Indian agent, says the territories should
be one state, and, thus combined, they
would be an empire and have influence.
Leo e. Bennett, United States mar
shall for the northern district OF the In
dian Territory, says: Single statehood
is the only solution and it is inevitable.
w. II. Darrough. chairman OF the re-
publican executive committee for the
indian Territory, says: While am OPP
posed to union with Oklahoma, indi-
cations are that the Indian Territory
will finally be absorbed into single
state, and am willing to abide by the
will of the majority, as the people are
usually right. 1 think the question
a.zt... k1,,x x1ro 10 nc