The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-26

( of property of these territories answer
artheritativeIy the last iRterrosaeoFs III
the affirmative the slightest exaInihaei'-i
of their marvellous resources would pidee
beyond doubt their ability 70 neaintat N
state governments.
There is neither justice nor reason
in longer denying statehood to the
territories which are here through tnelr
Representatives pe;itioniRg as they nave
again and again in the past. Always re-
fused or thwarted by the tricks and de-
vices Of legtzistire. procedure the feeling
of disappointment is deepening into
sense of wrong injected. Equality OF
rights is the first OF rights. Inseperaole
from il is the right or equality OF oppor-
tunity These boons, the common heritage
of ALL are now asked by almost million
American citiZens From the Islands OF
the sea. new possessions of the United
States. comes the cry for home rule. The
American people hasten to announce 20
the world their purpose TO grant it, There
is but one kind of home rule possible in
the United States. Ii is that Of sovereign
states What we readily grant TO the
land but lately foreign. and 10 the alien
race, let us not withhold from our own.
The territory OF Oklahoma contains &c.
Csc quare miles, or 24979,2 zoe acres. an area
about equal TO the state of Ohio II lies
between the thirty-fourth and thirtysev-
enth parallels north latitude, and mainly
between s5 degrees. 50 seconds and 90 de-
grees west longitude North and south
its location corresponds with that Of Ten
nessee. and east and west with that of
central Kansas. The altitude above sea
level is from $50 to 5000 feet 4 large por-
ton of the territory is composed of agri-
cultural lands, corresponding in fertility
with the rich prairie lands of Kansas,
Nebraska and Iowa.
The first settlement was made on April
90, 1889, and the census OF the following
year Gs9o) showed a population of 661, ,S34.
BY the census of 1900 the population was
aas, 3Sl or more than six tines as large
as it was ten years before. the increase
being 544-2 per cent. The number OF per-
sons of voting age was 10e.19I. and of the
school age. 1855. Only 3.5 per cent of
the total population was foreign born.
The July issue of Bradstreet's con-
tanned the following resume of business
conditions and progress in Oklahoma:
During the past ninety days 200 new
firms have opened in business and go
firms have been sold out or discontinued.
leaving a net gain of Al new firms in busi-
ness in the territory over the number in
business three months ago.
Twelve small towns and postoffices
have been wiped off the slate during the
three months. owing to railway exten-
oiope ord locol conditions
location valueIess and in the same ninety
days twenty-eight new towns have been
started, making sixteen more towns and
business eenters in Oklahoma than were
in existence three months ago.
In connection with the above Informal
ton, it may not be uninteresting to know
that Oklahoma has now 6N towns and
cities listed on the mercantile reports.
The bill as reported contains all the
usual provisions Of the enabling acts I'm
der which most of ths territories have
heretofore been admitted as states.
In the third section it is provided that
the constitutional convention shall yam
irrevocable ordinance express the consent
of the state of Oklahoma that congress
nay at any time, or from time TO time
attach all or any part of the Indian Ter
ritory to the state of Oklahoma. This
leaves congress free TO add the Indian Ter
ritory to OkialHma without obtaining
the consent of the state. should the events
in the future justify such action.
Section of the bill provides for grant
ing to the state sections sixteen and thir-
ty-six in every township in the territory,
or indemnity land equivalent thereto. for
eh support of the common schools. These
lands are to be disposed of only at pub
lie auction TO the highest bidder, prefer
ence being given to the lessee at time of
sale the proceeds to constitute a public
school fund. the interest of which anly
shall be expended in the support of such
schools: but it is provided that the lands
may be leased for a period not TO ex-
ceed five years under such regulations as
the legislature may provide.
In section of the bill. section thirteen
in every township is granted to the state
under the same conditions for the equal
use and benefit Of the university, the
normal schools and the agricultural and
mechanical college
Section thirty-three in evedy township
is granted for charitable and penal in
stitutions and is to be disposed of rs
The legislature Of the state may provide.
-'AlI of these lands have heretofore been
reserved TO the territory under various
acts of congress
In addition Ia these grants the bin pro-
yides that in lieu Of grants of land for
the purpose of internal improvements
heretofore made new states by acts Of
congress. the following grants shall be
made to Oklahoma: For the benefit Of
the territorial university. 2o1eOo aces; for
the benefit Of the agricultural and me-
chanical college 25o. 600; for the benefit OF
the colored agricultural ard normal uni
y, rsity. ,oa.co9: for the benefit OF normal
schools. 250,e0. and 10 be disposed Of as
the legislature may provide. o5v.J00 acres:
al OF said land TO be selected by the state
with the approved Of the secretary Of the
interior.
The bin provides that until tfe next
general census the state shall be entitled
10 two representatives, in the lower house
of congress The constitutional eonven-
ton IS authorized "a provide for the elec-
ton of officers for a fun state govern
ment members of the legislature. ard
representatives. 10 congress. but said
state government shall remain in asey
once until The state shall he admitted into
the Union
IN view OF the large population. The re-
srkable development, z abundant r
nancisl resources. aa. Of eveTy Recessary
cuanncation to exercise the Tunctions Of
state government your committee be-
ii,ve 5hat there should be no hesitancy on
the part OF congress "a promptly admit
olslahnrna into the Union IS a state.