The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-12-17
CONGRESS OPPOSED
TO TWO STATES
Committee on Territories
Believe Double Statehood
.iSlIIIOgicaI

Washington, D. c., Dec. IA care
ful poli of the now. committee ON ter
ritories OF the house indicates a clear
majority in favor OF statehood for Ok
lahoma and Indian territories. The
committee Is composed Of fifteen rep
resentatives and two delegates. OF
the afteen Representatives. nine look
with favor upon the proposition OF ac-
cording statehood to the two terri
tories; the remaining six are non
commutsl.
Il is evident from conversations
with the members Of the committee
that the proposition for the consolida- |
ton OF Oklahoma and indian terri |
tories is looked upon with far more
favor than the proposition to create
two states out OF the two terriotries.
In fact the latter idea is advocaed by
only three members OF the commit.
tee, aud It rs evident that when vote
is taken upon the question Of statehood
for the two territories the advocates
OF double statehood will be hopeless.
ly in tn eminority
Delegate Flynns bill. as introduced
in the house. meet swith general =.
vor with tha members of the com.
mittee. They look upon IL as the only
logical solution OF the statehood
problems The idea of creating
state out Of either Oklahoma or In.
dian territory is looked upon as illog
ical and dangerous. Il Is pointed on;
by those members OF the committee
who have already made careful
study Of the question that the creation
OF two states out ~ the two terri
tories would impose great hardships
upon the tax payers. and property own
ers in the collection of revenue to
meet the expenses of state forms of
government This would fan particu.
larry heavy upon the people of In.
dian territory. where the greater por.
tion of lands are non taxable and VIII
remain so ior a period OF tweni y-fve
years. or until the Indians title can
be alienated.
One OF tEs leading Republican
members OF tie committee said to the
correspondent in discussing the ques-
tion;
The problem presented seems to
me to be SO clear that there should
De 40, difficulty in reaching deyision.
Oklahoma or Indian territory sepa-
sately would make an Insignificant
state Combined. htey would make
state the equal, If not superior, to any
of those west Of Missouri or Iowa. In
the course o. few years state Gre
ated out Of the two territories would
occupy one of the foremost positions
among the states west OF the Miss.
issippi river. The natural advantages
are almost wonderful The richness
OF the soil, the vast mineral deposits
in Indian territory. the development OF
Industries and the railroad facilities,
all point to the ultimate creation Of
great wealth for the state
Divide the two territories and you
would have two states insignificant in
size in proportion TO the other West
ern commonwealths one wholly de-
penednt upon agriculture, the other
largely dependent upon its minerals,
and the people OF both states subject
ed to heavy taxation 70 maintain their
state forms OF government It would
be practically impossible for Indian
territory 10 raise sufficient funds.
from the property which is taxable,
10 support state institutions. This
must continue so for the next quarter
of a century The greater portion OF
the lands are. owned by Indians and
nre nOn'taxabie for a period OF twen-
ty-hve years. From what source.
thea. could the people secure revenue
with which 10 maintain their county
and state governments?
Even with the immediate admission
Of Oklahoma. as proposed in Delegate
FGynn'a bill. the people OF that terri.
tory would find Il burdensome at first
10 raise the money TO defray the ex-
peases Tor their state government.
This would be gradually lessened
however as Indian territory was alb
sorbed by Oklahoma and became a
part OF the state Under the treaty
with the ChOctaw aud Chiokasaw ma
tions. onef0urth OF the lands Of the
tribes can be alienated Immediately
upon the issuance Of patents to the in
dividuai Indians. Another onefourth
can be aiienated after period Of FIVE
years This tribal form Of govern
ment. under their treaties must be.
come extinct ia 1906. With half Of
the lands then taxable. for they will