The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-07-26
OKLAHOMA IN THE
EASTERN STATES
lContInued from paee e.l

has population that would entitle il
- three congressman, and the proba-
bilities are that two, and perhaps all
o. them would be democrats. The
southern principally Texan immigra.
tion that has pushed into the territory
in the last three years has been
enough to turn the tide politically.
This population is intolerant on the
negroe~ 40 have come here in large
numbe Pc ,ausing more than one out.
break because of this feeling. An i'm.
mediate start on capitol, after the
rivals for its location had ended their
contest, would be but the first step
in the construction Of public buildings
commensurate with the ambitions of
the new state. The people, while they
have made good homes and have be-
gun TO save money would undoubted-
y feel the burden Of added expense.
The ne great problem that gives
pause to a demand for statehood for
this territory at this time is thar of
the Indian territory. A widespread
opinion exists that the two territories
should be brought into the union as
one state. Most of the 10000 whites
in the Indian territory are as anxious
for statehood as are the oklahomans.
It is probable that TO become one state
will be the fate of the TWO territories.
What would happen were this por-
ton taken in now and the other held
back either in its present form or as
the territory OF Jefferson, as proposed,
later to be added to the state Of Okla
homa? In the iirst place the combined
state would have all its public build
ings located in the Oklahoma end. The
eastern half, which Is far wealthier in
natural resources, would be the depen-
dency, politically, Of the western half.
1t would be a ridiculous situation and
one that would result in much IN feel
ing. When both are united in one
state the whole commonwealth would
be only the size Of Nebraska or Kan
sas. There is not the material for two
states, nor is it likely thar congress
viii consider it. Ii there Is eventually
to be single statehood the government
could hardly go about it less sarisfac-
tory than by separate admissions, In
the end it would please neither pot
ticn. While Oklahoma would get the
buildings and the capital, it would al.
50 have the heavier taxes to pay for
them, the Indian territory coming In
later to enjoy and envy them but not
beng responsible for the debt. AS itl
seems OF plain that there viii eventu-
ally be one commonwealth many of the
best citizens, even here where the
statehood fever is fierce. are inclind 10
favor the waiting policy and are not at
al displeased that congress has given
the matter more time. They are not
in harmony with the populace, nor
with the local newspapers, but they
have some sensible and unanswerable
arguments on their side
The Indian territory is not ready for
statehood. Not until the white man
can secure land titles is there the ma
terial for a state. Outside of the few
towns that are plated, no white man.
unless married to a squaw, has more
than a lease on a foot Of land. The
rich holdings OF he FIVE tribes are TO
be divided pro rata among the mem. |
bers of the various tribes, but that
process is woefully slow. What with
the dilatory commissions, the agree |
ments and treaties and The inevitable |
delay in securing a complete roll of
the Indians, there is no telling when
it will all end The Creeks should
have their deeds this summer. The
rolls OF the Cherokees this week. by
order of the secretary Of the interior.
were closed, except for the few hun
dred cards OF the delinquents to be
considered later The territory is anx-
ious to get some kind Of a government,
Owing TO the many advantages Of
large commonwealth, as opposed to
two small ones. there is large follow.
ing for the single statehood idea and
the plan Of forming a territory for a
few years, later to become a part Of
Oklahoma after the latter has all its
state machinery IN operation Is looked
upon with some disfavor by these.
Ex-Governor jenkins says Of the sit
uation We look back over the legis.
lation affecting the Territory from the