The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-19
GOVERNORS
VIEWS ON
STATEHOOD
Jenkins Annual Report Lands
Oklahoma 10 Sky.
IS WORTHY DOCUMENT
Claims for Territory Equal
Rights With States.
IS WORTHY DOCUMENT

Washington, Nov. 1S.-The annual re-
port of Governor William M. jenkins, Of
the territory of Oklahoma, was made
public today by the secretary Of the in
terror. Governor jenkins makes a strong
plea for statehood saving that the past
rapid development OF the material inter
ests Of the territory insure its future
He claims a population of half a million
for Oklahoma, and adds concerning its
prospects:
In the little more than a decade
which has elapsed since the creation Of
the territory the people have accomplish
ed here more than any other community
had ever accomplished in a quarter Of
century. The story Of the achieve
ments of this people. their progressive
ness, energy, industry and American cit
izenshiD has never been equalled."
Reviewing the present conditions in the
territory, Governor jenkins says:
Looking back over the brief but event.
ful history of their territory. recounting
their struggles and trlumphs and com
placently viewing their comfortable and
prosperous surroundings, the people Of
Oklahoma are well satisfied with their
present conditions and believe that their
future prospects are brighter and greater
than any other people on earth.
With an area little greater than that
Of the state of Indiana, with a climate
whose health-giving breezes are nowhere
eXcelled. with an altitude invigorating,
inspiring, geographically of the south bat
politically Of the north; with a mixture
Of northern push and energy. with south
ern comfort and hospitality; with scenery
OF rugged mountain and valley, far
stretching prairie and wooded hill; with
soil as fertile as the valley of the Nile;
with rainfall and other climatic condi-
tons favorable to the successful grow
ing of all the crops Of the temperate
zone, here is the ideal location for a
home and the opportunity for agricultural
and commercial enterprise.
And when TO the natural advantages
with which the territory has been so
richly endowed, the people have added
thriving cities. growing business enter
prises successful farms and orchards and
vineyards, school houses and churches
colleges and universities. comfortable and
permanent homes. surrounded by all the
social advantages of purely American
community, is il any wonder that they
are received by countless thousands with
less favorable surroundings in the crowd
ed communities in the other states? Is
it strange that the railway trains are
loaded with homeseekers whose destina-
ton is Oklahoma and the wagon roads
are constantly traversed with white-top-
ped wagons loaded with families discour-
aged or disheartened at the adverse con-
ditions i'm many older communities and
seeking the opportunities and advantages
which all enjoy here ia this new COM
monwealth2
And if it be that the lawmakers of
the nation decide that Oklahoma and
Indian territory shall DC admitted as only
one state, how much stronger is our claim
FOR immediate recognition?
For the Indian territory has a popu-
lation almost equal TO that Of Okla
homa, and combined the state would have
a population exceeding a million, or
about eighteen times the average pop
ulation of the states of Vermont, Ken-
lucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana. Indi-
ana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas. Michigan. Florida. Iowa,
Wisconsin. California, Minnesota. ore
son. Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada or Colo
rado when admitted as states.
1T is claimed by many that the con
ditions are not right in the Indian ter
ritory for statehood, and it is true that
there are conditions there which pre-
sent a serious problem for the future /
but they can be worked out as well. if
not even better under state government.
True there is no land to tax at pres
ent, but the time is rapidly coming when (
there viii be. and, as shown elsewhere I
IN this report. q careful and very con- /
seffaJlNe estlnhdle OF the property there !
that would be taxable before statehood /
could be fully completed We're an en- /
lhling act passed this winter is S25. .0g0 eco. |
which is sreater than the taxable valu- 1
iLion OF the states OF Arkansas. Florida, |
iowa. California. Oregon. or Kansas ct |
the time of their admission. and % per
sent greater than the taxable valuation
II Oklahoma five years after its organ
zation as a territory.
Governor Jenkins declares the passage
II the free homes law by congress has /
7een of untold benefit to oklahoma. Re
'erring 20 TINS law. he SAYS:
"The passage OF this bah has saved /
% the homesteaders of oklahoma Sl5Co0.-
-. which would have been paid 20 the
government and lost to the territory
The money has been put into houses
inl barns and live stock, into comforts
-or the family, and implements for the