Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-10-23
tTrom the Daily oklahoman. October s. 1oo2y

,os.y
14e.oso; Washington. ee,1so: oreg-p,
oe.iso: California, 1853, $50.
From these figures It appears that
Oklahoma and the Indian territory.
each, have an area much smaller than
any other Western state. The two
territories together have an area
smaller than nearly all the other
western states. OF these eighteen
states, fourteen have q larger area
than that OF the two territories. com.
bined Missouri aid Washington have
about the same and Arkansas and
iowa have few square miles less.
The average area OF all these western
states Is 1OO,s43 square miles. II we
combine both territories, the combined
area will be S0,543 square miles less
than the average. II we make a sep.
arate state OF Oklahoma, its area VIII
be S1.943 square miles less than the
average. The area of the Indian ter.
ritory will be 69,543 square miles less
than the average. So that IL both ter.
ritories are combined, we will still
have small state, whereas, IL both
are admitted separately, we will have
two Ihgmies.
In the second place the resources
OF the two territories are OF such a
nature as to make single statehood of
immense value to them both. Their
resources complement each other. Ok.
lahoma has not yet developed any
considerable amount of mineral
wealth. We hope that there is min.
eral wealth in the territory and IL
there is, We shall be most glad to well
come 1t, but up to this time It is not
certain that We have any considerable
mineral resources, but on the contrary
nearly all our wealth is in our agri-
culture. In the Indian territory, how.
ever. the great bulk of the wealth is
in Its mines which are now estimated
to be worth fifty or sixty million dol.
lars. and with the immense develop
ment OF these mining resources now
being brought about by the building
OF new railroads IN that territory this
wealth will largely increase. II we
combine the immense agricultural re-
sources OF Oklahoma with the mineral
wealth OF the Indian territory, into
one state, II will have natural re-
sources which will not be surpassed
by any state in the Union and which
Will support a population sufficient
to give the state high standing in the
Union and sufficient wealth and tax
able property to make the cost of the
administration relatively very low.
That nation is the greatest and most
stable which can come the nearest to
living within its own borders. The
same thing is true Of a state. Any
state dependent upon any one line OF
production is always hamrered and
always fails to develop to its largest
capacity. BY combining Oklahoma
and the Indian territory we would
have resources OF sufficient variety
to sustain a population and make it
strong and wealthy II 1t were prac-
t.cally cut off from all connection
with the outside world; we would have
an empire within our own borders, all
parts Of which wouldn't into. supple.
ment and susi a n each other and which
would be absolutely sure of taking
high rank in the Nation.
There are many other reasons why
single statehood is desired by the
people Of both territories. and they are
CT so powerful a nature that the re-.
publican party while opposing single
statehood, WAS afraid to declare his
opposition. and they are so strong that
many OF the republican speak.
ers today, trying to deceive
the people OF the territory
by claiming that they stand for even
tual single statehood. These reasons
for single statehood are so manifest
that It is hardly worth while to con.
sumo your time by further comment
The Indian Territory Ready.
The sentiment for single statehood
Is so overwhelming that IL the people
can but understand that the Indian
territory is now ready for statehood
and that no delay because OF single
statehood is necessary. there would
he almost a unanimous vote in its
favor. The studied ehort now being
made by the republican speakers is to
convince the people that the Indian
territory is not ready for statehood
! and this has been the position OF our
delegate IN congress and the position
the excessive land holders and some
OF the large cattle men Of the Indian
territory for SO many years and IL
has been so constantly iterated and re.
iterated to the American congress
Z that they don't realize the true sltua.
tlon. II is even true that the people
OF Oklahoma. living Just on the boI>
ders. don't appreciate the fact that