The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-01
0klahoma's Greatest Peril in
Matter of Statehood.
WILL BE DRAGGED DOWN
If Her Interests Are Coupled
With Arizona and New Mexico

There IS a strong sentiment mani
tested among arriving Congressman fav-
orable to the admission of Oklahoma into
the Union, but decidedly adverse TO sim
liar treatment for Arizona and New Mex
leo. II Oklahoma people can keep them
selves out Of close association with the
old Standardization Territories they
may win the goal OF statehood.
TIE congressman are little puzzled
as TO how they viii justify their action
in favoring the promotion Of Oklahoma,
while New Mexico and Arizona are kept
IN the kindergarten class, but they be-
heve their figures win be represented
her this winter, and the leading men Of
each VIII labor with Congress on the
Statehood proposition.
The most insistent Just now are the
Arizona ard New Mexico statesmen, but
If the opinions Of congressman already
On the ground count for anything they
might as well hive staid at home. The
feeling against elevating the two Mexican
Territories into states is surprisingly
strong. Men who are ready and anxious
to give Oklahoma a chance viii vote and
work againsE Arizona and New Mexico.
anc particularly the former
The old heads in Congress have not for
gotten the Nevada case. and they say they
VIII not repeat the experiment. The state
now represented by Senators Stewart and
Jones started out well enough. but
was suddenly arrested in its
growth. In $50 Nevada had 2.4sl
people and ten years showed
flee jump Of fifty per cent, the total pop
ulation reaching o-,-56. In 1890 there was
a serious loss of population owing 10
The peteriug out" OF the mines. the
census showing total of only 45,761 for
the whole state. In 1850 the returns were
only 42.3S5. showing that the population
is actually less than it was thirty years
ago. The males of voting age IN Nevada
now number only 1910
This state. having a population much
less than of the single Illinois city of
Peoria. elects two senators and a member
Of the House OF Representatives, whereas
ACCORDING TO the ratio al representation.
the whole state of Nevada is entitled 10
less than one-fourth Of Mr.. NeWlands
the Nevada member of the House. This
old silver mining state has become a
horrible example of Congress, and its
reputation VIII suffice to keep out New
Mexico or Arizona for many long day.
50 for as Oklahoma Is concerned the
Indications are wen the other way The
Territory now has q population of SsS. SS1.
and. if admitted TO Statehood, would at
once be entitled TO two members Of the
House under The statutory ratio of rep
resentation. in fact, Oklahoma has
larger population than either Delaware,
Idaho. Montana. Nevada. North Dakota,
Utah. Vermont or Wyoming.
The Oklahoma boomers are prepared to
demand the privileges OF statehood on
the ground that eight out of the forty-Ave
States have smaller population and prob
ably always viii have. The Oklahoma
people have found it easy shedding thus
far, and they believe they viii win this
session if they can steer clear Of the
hostile influence of Arizona and New
Mexico.
The figures of the last census arc
chiefly relied upon TO carry the territory
into the union. For instance. il is shown
that the extraordinary total of 96 per
cent of the population Of Oklahoma we're
natives of the United States. There were
ia 1890 no les sthan 1o9.lgl males OF voting
age in the Territory, or 1000 more than
Ia Arizona and New Mexico put together.
The character Of the population Of
Oklahoma VIII be one OF the strongest .
arguments for Statehood. OF the males
of voting age ii is shown that only 6
per cent are luiterate. The extraordinary
percentage of native born and educated
people in oklahoma is being used to
excellent advantage ia Oklahoma. A
ST..
that Oklahoma had a larger population
by 10000 than Wyoming. Idaho and Ne
vada. now represented hy six United
States Senators and three Representa-
dives. Therefore the oklahoma people
claim they are exceedingly modest in
asking for the privileges of one state,
These figures. coupled with the phe-
nomenaI growth of loS per cent in ten
years. has created a genuine Oklahoma
boom ia Congress, and predictions are
freely made that the Territory VIII came
into the union in ample time to vote for
President in 1905.
There is a totally different state Of
affairs as regards New Mexico and Ari-
iona. The members oaCongress are not
apparently impressed With the arguments
of The boomers from the Mexican border
ON the contrary. these members who have
gone into the figures are perpieXed TO
discover any basis for the admission
81 either As between the two there
are somewhat more favorable opinions
expressed regarding Mexico than THAI
about Arizona but both are condemned
as unavailable
The census shows that view Mexico has
fco had q total population of 1a5 SO. or
just about 'the average for a Congress (
sional district under the last apportoR- {
meut. The percentage OF native born /
IS high am uniting 90 go. but the diffi-
Guilty seems To he entirely ia the char /
scter OF THE poI llation- The census dees (
not show the proportion of the population /
which does business oay by day in Span I
fish To the exclusion OF English. but the 4
ilMteracy tables give an Inadequate idea /
Of the situation
Theceusus shows that New Mexico has
$500 males Of The victims age. and of +
these no less than 1855 are Hutesate. The 4
nliterates form the usual proportion OF ~ +
rer cent of the possible voters This per- 4
centaee Is not exceeded In the union ex-
sept among the former slave States. where 4
the figures are raised bg the large ssno-- /
ant colored population. VIVA ONLY half +
the population OF oklahoma. New Mex /
leo has two and half dimes as many f
nuterate voters
When the situatl0n in Arizona is studied +
the results are even mere unfasoraaie. +
The total population is 1888, not enough +
for an average Congressional district. +
although SIM larger than NeFads aud {
Mexico because its native population Is !
fa..H.