Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-11-21
SINGLE STATEHOOD.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory
Delegates In Harnoay.
4 STRONG MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS-.


Of One state
Muscogee, l. T., Nov. 15.-With .
dash and enthusiasm which sur
passed even the most sanguine hopes
Of its most ardent supporters, the
single statehood convention was held
here yesterday and the great move
ment was accelerated. The United
States court room, in which the con-
vention was held, was crowded to
overAowing at both the afternoon
and evening meetings. Everything
was harmonious and not q person on
the floor of the convention spoke one
word against the movement. Many
would have preferred to see the ter
ritories go in separately, but they
accepted the proposed union as the
surer way Of gaining what they
sought.
Six committeeman will represent
the single statehood movement at
| Washington and urge the two terri
tories claim.
A strong memorial to congress was
adopted. Among other things it
says:
II has become self-evident that the
union of Oklahoma and the Indian terri
tory into one state Is inevitable They
have the wealth, the energy and the civil
| lixation emitting them to statehood at
once. The two territories have a popu-
iation of more than 100000, and an as
sessed value Of real and personal prop
erty Of more than s1O0000,0O0, with an
actual value Of more than $30O,0OOOOO
greater wealth and population than were
possessed by large majority Of the
states when admitted to the union; more
wealth and population than are now pos
sessed by many of the states. There are
In the two territories H5,00O school chill
dren. In the Indian territory, except In
a few incorporated towns, the people are
without public schools for the education
OF their children. 1t Is the duty Of con-
gross to give these people such gov
eminent as will enable them to protect
their children from ignorance and vice.
The people of the Indian territory are
without adequate roads and the streams
are unbridged. They have no asylum
for the unfortunate, the deaf, dumb, blind
and insane They cannot have these be.
cause Of the lack of self-government
They are without opportunity to make
laws for the protection of cities and
towns from the ravages Of fire, and COM
munities from pestilence and disease.
Both territories, by their representa-.
tives. In convention assembled, urge upor
congress the immediate passage of ar
enabling act providing for the formation
Of one state by the people Of the two
territories. We have ample property fol
taxation. the will and the desire to sup
port the expenses of state govern
nlent Is that which has been sought BY
all Intelligent, patriotic American fire,
men, that Of government to be de
MED us longer?
Following the memorial are thu
resolutions demanding admission a,
Il single state and that the Indian
lands be allotted at once to the In
dams.
Expert to Test Missouri River Water.
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 16.--An exper
representing the st. Louis board o
health is in this city making tests o
the water in the Missouri river her
as compared with that in the Mis-
sissippi at st. Louis. The sewag
from Sioux City is run into the rive
1875 miles north of here and anothe
object of the tests will be to shoy
whether or not the water here ]
tainted by 1t. Tests Of The waite
after it leaves the settling basins vii
also be made. and his operations vii
extend for some distance down tb
river. The result of his tests will b
used as evidence in the Chicago drain
age canal case.