The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-31
INQUIRE STRIKES
continued from First Page

Sac and Fox country and in the Cheyenne
country; in Greer county, and in almost
al sections Of t4lls great territory We
have known something of the great char
.ty of d magnanimous congress of the
United States. (Applause)
heni Callahan defeated Flynn, after
Flynn had intScduced the first bill for
free ZONES to the people of Oklahoma
territory, I happened to be in the city Of
Washington and ! approached a congress
man from the state of Delaware and
asked him if ne would assist Mr. Gala
fan in trying to get free homes for the
people of Oklahoma territory and he said:
Mcclure. I am from the state Of Mary
land; there are sections in my state where
you can get land for so per acre. upon
which ore can make a fair and honor
sble living. I understand from the repu-
tation you have in Oklahoma that land
IN that country is selling from S25 TO g.
Fer acre. The people" he said, in my
state would scorn the idea of gift of
this character You men, with all your
western energy, with all your thrift with
sil your push and with all your perse-
verance. now come to the congress Of the
United States, after congress has given
YOU that land at exactly what it cost the
government from the Indians and are
asking that that land be given to you free
Of charge That is what we were meet
ing with: that is what Mr. Callahan met,
that is the argument that Mr.. FLYNN had
10 contend with that is what every man
met with who was trying TO assist the
people of Oklahoma in securing free
homes for the people Of this territory
but, we were pushing, we were energetic
we were thrifty and persevering, and
finally congress give this question TO the
people and Oklahoma and our citizens
passed upon it. These things came TO Ok
lahoma and we have not much to COM
plain Of up to this date.
Now, what was being done refer
ence to statehood during the years since
the organization Of Oklahoma as a terri
tory?
The Democratic party, the Republican
party, the Populist party, the Prohibi-
ton party, the Socialist party, persons Of
every political conviction were meeting in
convention yearly in the leading cities Of
Oklahoma; standing as unit. regardless
Of politics. for immediate statehood for
tJklanelld- ENtn BtAO4t AiiC 1A4tAOfACS
Strip was settled: even before Greer
county was attached before the Sac and
Fox country was opened. the people Of
this territory was demanding statehood.
Why do we want statehood2 That we
m9y say TO othe- citizens Of this U.ion.
como to US. we have n constitution and
have settled po3' 'cies in Oklahon .. We
know what we are going to do we have
statehood. bring TO US your wealth. Let
the wealth of Oklahoma Increase, in order
that our taxes may decrease. That is
the idea of every person. whether he be
Democrat, Republican or Popuiist. We
want the very best possible government.
whether we agree as to the manner Of
obtaining that government. and we de
sire that government at the lowest pos
sible cost TO the taxpayers OF this country.
Where we differ is upon the question of
which road is hest to travel to secure
the desired condition Of anairs. We nave
demanded statehood that We might have
government, perfect state and county
organization; that we might invite capi-
tai Increase the wealth Of Oklahoma anu
there is Il decrease in the taxes o. the
territory. These arc the reasons why the
Democrats. Republicans and PopGlists
were all standing rs unit for statehood
This united seatiment continued To within
2 year and we thought there were com
poratively few men in Oklahoma who
did not want statehood, because it meant
much to the citizens of this territory.
TWO years ago after these things haC
come to us. of which ! have spoken. Mr..
Flynn was making the campaign for con-
gress again. lie was asked if it were
possible TO secure for the people of Okla
homa territory imemdiate statehood.
Upon his return to the last congress he
prepared to introduce bin in the house
Of repTesentatives-and he did not make
st a political issue. He secured the as
distance Of the delegate from New Mexico.
He secured the assistance Of the delegate
from Arizona. These three gentlemen
differ politically. but they were evidently
acting upon the theory that in union there
is strength-and they introduced into the
lower house the bin known as the Omni-
bus Bill outside of Oklahoma. and as
the Flynn Bin in oklahoma As 1
said it was not a political measure; it
was referred to the committee on terri
tories and took the course of an bills Of
similar character. Now. what is the COM
Tnittee on territories / viii tell YOU
This committee on territories was ap-
pointed for the same purpose Of eXpedi-
ating legislation and To- the further pur-
pose Of preventing vicious legislation.
Before one Of these committees any lady
or any gentleman in this audience may
appear and offer their suggestions one OF
another, for or against the bill. which
could not be done on the floor Of the house
of representatives,. No person is allowed
to speak there except a member of the
legislative body but not SO with these
committees where these bills arr referred
70 for consideration 1t is there that "A
faH and fair hearing IS had upon every
measure that comes before these com
mittees Legislation for oklahoma terri
tory -oeSbefore the committee on ter
ritories New you may say Of whom Is
that committee composed i is com
posed of Democrats and Republicans
alike and It was before that eomiaittee
composed of Democrats ard Republicans
that the Flynn BIN went for consideration
after its introduction into the house OF
Representatives. Now. What WAS done
You would naturally expect every Demo
crat. every Republican. ard every Popu-
list who had been working for statehood
20 write a letter 20 the congressman of
their former state asking them tc advo-
cate the immediate passage II the blll.
would yOu nots You would naturally eE-
pcct every person who raised his voice
70 speak IN favor Of that ein because
There never hae en an objection mad,