The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-28
GENERAL S. B. BRADFORD
He Talks About statehood and Other
Things OF Hnteresf

Guthrie, Q. T, Feb 2Z-Former Attor-
ney. General Bradford OF Kansas, now a
federal official in the Indian Territory,
writes 10 the Daily Capital of this city as
follows:
Now that it seems to be settled that
nothing viii be done for statehood single
or double, during the present session Of
congress, it may not be out Of place to
discuss the question from a conservative
standpoint.
For some time after the call for single
statehood convention, held at South Nc
Alester, was printed, and after the con-
vendon had passed into history there
was considerable acrimonious criticism
by those in favor of statehood for Okla
homa alone, Of the manner of calling
the convention and in an attempt to min
imize the effect That was the first real
joint effort to settle the question on
equitable lines and its influence has
found its way all over both territories
and into the halls of congress.
Finding that its influence would not
down, a convention was called for con-
venton in favor Of statehood for Okla
homa alone
THE calling Of that convention was
legitimate. The delegates were mostly
men Of intelligence and experience in af-
fairs Of state. The personnel Of that con-
vention was an honor TO the territory
L was an onlooker and deeply interest
ed. Save q few short speeches discour-
aging to the intelligence and civilization
Of the Indian Territory, they were well
timed and considerate.
'4The west IS proud Of Okiahoma's
achievements; they are the admiration of
! the whole c0untry-they are unparalleled.
''There is danger Of Oklahoma becom-
ing the spoiled child Of the republic that
Is, if the minority Of that convention had
their way. 1t soon became apparent that
although that convention was composed
entirely of citizens of Oklahoma it could
not resolve in favor Of statehood for Ok
lahoma alone without some provision for
attaching the Indian Territory at some
future time if not now.
The chief argument of the minority is
the matter Of school lands and other In
IDENTITIES. They say to admit the In
dian Territory without an equal fund
would be hardship upon the territory
Of Oklahoma, and it Is 10 this question 1
desire in this communication to address
myself
Oklahoma was born under lucky
star She was fortunate in having a
friend at court
Congress wisely reserved from settle
ment in the lands purchased from the
Indians certain sections and held ond stu
! holds them in trust for the benefit of
the people Of the future state for educa-
tionaI and other public purposes. Those
lands are the property Of the government
but the profits arising from leasing them
is donated by the government Tor the
public good.
NO man viii be so foolish as to argue
that congress ever intended to make a
state of Oklahoma with the area she then
had.
"The first section Of her organic act
shows conclusively that It was intended
that some day the country OF the five
tribes should become a part Of a state
with her area. Addition after addition
has been made to her area as fast as
lands have been acquired from the In
dams, and in each case reservations have
been made for school purposes. the title
/ remaining in the government as before
oklahoma has been blessed with a del
egate i'm congress who has been vigilantly
looking after the interests of his people
and not only insisting that there should
/ he reserved millions Of acres Tor school
and ether purposes. but that free homes
/ should be given to her peopIe--a gener-
Gus gift Of sixteen millions Of dollars.
/ He has succeeded. be It said to his credit.
and is entitled to 90 UP higher on ac-
/ count Of it.
"About al the lands that car be
/ bought IN which such reservations can be
made have been added to Oklahoma.
4 Here in the Indian Territory are as many
/ American citizens as there are in Okla
/ homa who are entitled to as much con-
( sideratIou as the same number Of Ameri-
/ can citizens there Now. shall we say
/ that because these million acres OF gov
/ ernment lands held IN trust ~ the gen
/ eraI government for the benefit Of the
/ people that Oklahoma should have them
all. and that the sixtv-five thousand chill
( dren Of American citizens who chance 70
live IN the Indian Territory SHAH grow
/ Up ia Ignorance and vice?
Oklahoma has accomplished wonders
( her growth IS unparalleled. but her
! bounty from the general government g
unparalleled by her growth and prospect
/ fly
The Indian Territory has struggled
through adversitv. and yet it has more
( civilized people than Oklahoma ana fewer
/ blanket Indians. she hes more nles ~
I railroads She has more undevdared
I country She has mere mineral wealth.
/ She has Setter water power. ara IN i've
years She viii have more tazable waalth
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