Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-10-28

(IrOm
Special to the Oklahoman.
Norman, o. T., Oct IA meeting
was held in this city tonight that for
intense interest and enthusiasm
eclipsed any political event here IN
recent years. The speakers were
Hon. VIM. Cross, Hon. c. d. Ames
and Hon. ]. o. Blakeney.
Mr. Cross received a flatterlng ova-
tion when he arose to speak. He
made an address that went straight
home to his hearers, and the large
audience repeatedly cheered him as
he showed up the fallacious claims OF
the opposition candidate. His speech
was rather shorter than usual, en- ac-
count of the fact that Mr.. Ames was
announced to deliver an address on
the statehood question. Mr.. Ames
address was a masterpiece CT elo-
Quence and logic, and the audience
was at times tumultuous as he laid
open the speclous campaign for
double statehood that is being made
by Mr.. Mcclure and his assistants.
HIS argument for single statehood
was thoroughly in accord with the
temper Of the people here, which was
evidenced at every pause.
Mr.. Ames said:
There is one thing about which the
democrats and republicans agree In
this campaign. That Is, that the para
mount issue involved Is the question
of statehood. The democratic plat
form adopted by the Enid convention
declares this to be the dominant isSne
in the campaign, and as is always the
case with democratic platforms. enun-
ciates In clear and uneQuivocal termA
the position OF the democratic party.
The democratic party stands for sim
gle statehood and for Immediate sin.
ale statehood and IL has so clearly
committed itself to this doctrine that
he who runs may read without diff
Guilty.
Opposed to this position, the repub-
lican party in this campaign STANDS
for double statehood. AS is usually
the case with the republican policies,
Il In impossible to ascertain what they
are from their platform, but the argu'
ment Of their speakers and the events
. Of the past few years establish beyond
any equivocation that their true posi-
tiou Is for the formation Of two states
out OF these two territories. In or
der to ascertain the exact position oil
the republican party on this issue, II
N necessary to briefly review the his
tory Of statehood agitation for the
past few years. About two years age
a single statehood convention, com
posed OF delegates from both terrific
ries. was held at South McAlester
This convention was attended py
many Of the leading men OF both ter
ritories, regardless OF political afhlia
tion. Many prominent Oklahoma re
rublicans were at that convention ano
were enthusiastic advocates OF single
statehood; that convention adopted
resolutions which were explicit in the
advocacy Of single statehood and the
republicans present participated IN al
the proceedings of that convention an'
endorsed its resolutions.
Republicans on Record.
Less than twelve months ago an
other statehood convention was helt
in the city Of Muscogee, composed o
delegates from both territories. Thi
was also attended by many leading
renublicans from Oklahoma, amcni
wh6m were Governor Barnes, Mr.. +
n. Greer, Mr.. H. B. Gilstrap, and MI
%. @. Lewis all of whom were activ
and prominent in the deliberations
that body. This convention also too
spsciflc stand in favor OF immediat
single statehood. 1t even went farth
ar than that; it adopted plank b.
the terms of which 1t declared: wv
are unalterably opposed to any forr
of statehood which contemplates tn
admiss sion of Oklahoma and the subst
ouent attachment of the Indian terr
tory by piece-meal." Messrs. Gree
and Gilstrap we're both members
the committee on resolutions, whic
reported that platform and that planl
and both endorsed the proceedings c
that convention in most fatterin
terms in their respective papers. upo
returning to their respective homes
Governor Barnes was by that convei
tion elected as one of three delegate
20 70 to Washington and urge uro
congress the passage Of an immediat
hingls statehood enabling act.
{, Shortly after The Muscogee CONVEX
ton and while congress was in Sc
slon. the Oklahoma City Commercii
nlub, the Shawnee Commercial clu
and many other Of the leading con
hefcial organizations Of the territor
adopted resolutions on behalf OF III
Business men OF thoir respective o