The Minneapolis journal., 1901-11-15
Two TERRITORIES, ONE STATE

A convention now in session in Musko-
gee, Indian Territory, is considering the
question of statehood for that territory
and Oklahoma. There appear to be three
paths open to this convention. Some
want statehood for Oklahoma and Indian
Territory separately. Some want them to
enter the union as single, pOpulous and
full-grown state. Some desire the imme-
diate admission of Oklahoma, leaving the
question of the independence or annexa-
tlon of Indian Territory to a later time.
The dispatches say that the business
men of the two territories desire admis-
sion as a single state, while the poll
ticians, Of course, favor two states Each
of these elements has taken it's position
according to it's own interests. Double
statehood means two more United States
senators, probably more congressman and
twice as many state officials as single
statehood could offer. The business of the
average politician is to get Office. State
hood for both the territories would about
double his chances of establishing con-
nection with the public pay roll. But az
single statehood means lower taxes,
greater prestige and probably better gov
ernment for the whole region included
within the limits of the two ,territories,
the taxpaying business men desire single
state. Moreover, while Oklahoma should
have no difficulty In securing admission
by, itself or even with Indian Territory
tn hn c+o tnh nhoO
for Indian Territory by itself in the near
future is not roseate. AS there are great
natural riches in Indian Territory
which cannot be developed until it passes
out Of the territorial form of govern
ment, business men have an additional
motive in favoring single and immediate
statehood
On the score of population, both terri
tories are better entitled to statehood
than was any of the present states at the
time of admission to the union, and each
has many more people than many of the
existing states The census of 1900 gives
Oklahoma 39S, 81 people and Indian Ter
ritory 392, ,060. While the two territories
are SO evenly matched in total population
ats composition indicates that Okla homa
Is better fitted for statehood than it's sis
ter territory. All but 10000 Of it's people
are whites and of these the foreign born
whites number less than $4,000. 1t has
of taxed and untaXed Indians 5000 OF
each and about $4,000 negroes. The total
white population of Indian Territory is a
negroes, only 1,1O7 taxed Indians and
more than 1000 untaxed.
Combined and admitted as one state, the
two territories would exceed in population
each of the states of Colorado, Delaware
FLORIDA, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New
Hampshire, North Dakota, oregon, Rhode
Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont
Washington and Wyoming. Admitted as
separate states, each would have a larger
population than has Wyoming, Utah
North Dakota, Nevada, Montana. Vermont
or Delaware and within a few thousand
of as many as South Dakota, Oregon
Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Com
pared with the population of either OF
these territories, Nevada with it's paltry
1900 and Wyoming with its $4,000, look
insignificant, indeed. 1t is probable that
by the time they are admitted, if as one
state, the new sister will have a million
people. making it far and away the most
developed and advanced state ever admit
ted to the union.
With little doubt as to the abstract
right of each territory to be admitted as
state, with no doubt as to it's comparative
right considering the qualifications which
have been sufficient for other states, there
is absolutely no gainsaying the claim OF
the united territories to statehood. Con-
gress will not be justified in delaying tC
grant statehood to the united territories
one minute longer than the necessary
forms of law and orderly method require
We deem it the wiser course for the two
territories to enter the union as one
populous, powerful and influential state
fortysixth in order of admission but
thirty first in order of population, and OF
much higher rank on the score of natural
wealth and great potentialities.
Anybody ought to know that if you try
to corner eggs they'll break.