Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-04
FOR STATEHOOD.
Senate Has Substitute for
House Omnibus Bill.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory to
Make State Of Oklahoma.
Republicans of Committee Except
Quay lndorse Plan.

| Washington, Dec. 3.-The Senate COM
mittee on territories. today, agreed u
report a substitute for the House ON
nibus statehood bill. The SUBSTITUTE
provides for the admission of one ne"
state to comprise the territory now IN
cluded in Oklahoma and Indian TERRI
tory, the new state to take the name
of Oklahoma. The bill as reported
lmakes no reference whatever to New
Mexico or Arizona.
The decision of the full committee is
| in accord with the conclusion by the
Republican members with the excep-
, ton of Senator Quay.
The status of the Indians residing IN
the two territories is defined in a pro-
bill. This section authorizes the in
ha bitants of the two territories to
adopt a state constitution and then
says:
Nothing contained in the said con-
stitution shall be construed to limit or
impair the rights Of persons or prop
terty pertaining to the Indians of said
territories so long as such rights Shall
remain unextinguished, or to limit or
to effect the authority Of the govern
IEeHl Tie OIiItCu otutOS ~ Ais-AN> --''S
law or regulation respecting such In
dams. their lands, property or othe,
rights which it would have been COM
petent to make if this act had never
passed.
AS usual in the admission OF states
all male citizens are authorized to vote
for delegates to the constitutional con-
ventiOn and there is provision added
extending this privilege to Indians who
are members of any tribes located in
Indian Territory. These Indians are
also made eligible to become delegates
to the convention. The total number
of such delegates is limited to 10. gu
each from Oklahoma and Indian Ter
ritory. In Oklahoma the delegates are
to be appOrtiOned to the various coun-
ties by the territorial officers, and IN
the Indian Territory to the districts by
the judges Of the United States courts.
The federal judges in Indian Territory
are made to constitute the final can
vassing board for the vote in that ter
ritory. The statehood convention is to
be held at the seat of government in
Oklahoma Territory.
Among the declarations prescribed
for the proposed state is one forever
prohibiting pOlygamOus or plural mar
riages" There is also provision re-
quiring the state TO assume the depls
CT the territory of Oklahoma.
The constitution adopted is to be sub
mittei to the qualified voters of the
proposed state for ratification or rejec-
ton as usual in such cases. In, case
of acceptance. a proclamation of the
President will be the final act 'neces-
sary to complete statehood.
The new state is to be allowed four
representatives i'm Congress until the
next census, two United States sena-
tors and full quota of state officers.
Liberal provisions is made for the pub
lie school system of the state.
The session of the committee at
which the bill was ordered reported did
not exceed Is minutes in duration.
There was no discussion, and as soon
as the substitute bill was presented 1t
was submitted to vote. The votes
of all the Republican members. except
Senator Quay, were cast for the SUD-
stitute and all the Democratic MEM
bers against it. Senator Quay voted
with the Democrats. The vote stood
Is to 5.
There also was vote on reporting
the bill as it came from the House, the
division being on the same lines as that
of the vote on the substitute, except
that the majority was in the negative.