Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-10-25
erecial 70 the oklahoman.

Special 70 the Oklahoman.
Norman, Q. T., Oct IA meeting
was held in this city tonight that for
intense interest aud enthusiasm
sclipsed my political event here IN
recent years. The speakers were
Hon. VIM. Cross. Hon. c. B. Ames
Gnd Hon. Z. o. Blakeney.
Mr.. Cross received a fattering 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
ne 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 masterpiece Of elo-
quence and logic, and the audience
was at times tumultuous as he lad
open the specious campaign Tor
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 10 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 issue
in the campaign, and as is always the
case with democratic platforms, enun-
ciates in clear and unequivocal terms
the position Of the democratic party.
The democratic party stands for sim
Gle statehood and for Immediate sin
Sle statehood and It has SO clearly
committed itself to this doctrine that
he who runs may read without din
Guilty.
Opposed to this position, the repub-
McAn party in this campaign stands
for double statehood. AS Is usually
the case with the republican policies
Il is 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 euuivocation that their true posi-
tion is for the formation CT two states
out of these two territories. In or
der to ascertain the exact position ol
the republican party on this issue, II
n necessary to briefly review the his
tory of statehood agitation for the
mast 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 D!
many of the leading men of both ter
ritoriss, regardless OF political afnna
tion. Many prominent Oklahoma re
rublicaps were at that convention ant
wers enthusiastic advocates Of singl
statehood: that convention adopte'
resolutions which we're explicit In tn
advocacy Of single statehood and tn
republicans present participated in a.
the proceedings of that convention an
endorsed its resolutions.
Republicans on Record.
Less than twelve months ago an
other statehood convention was mel
in the city Of Muscogee, composed 2
delegates from both territories. Tn
was also attended by many leadin
republicans from Oklahoma, amen
whom were Governor Barnes. Mr.
H Greer, Mr.. II. B. Gilstrap, and Nj
ID. c. Lewis, all of whom were actiV
and prominent In the deliberations {
that body. This convention also too
s1ecific stand In favor Of immediat
single statehood. II even went fartl
er than that; It adopted plank b
the terms Of which 1t declared: "W
are unalterably opposed to any fori
of statehood which contemplates tn
admission Of Oklahoma and the subs
quent attachment Of the Indian terr
tory by piecs-meal." Messrs. Gree
and Gilstrap were both members
the committee on resolutions, whc
reported that platform and that PLAN
and both endorsed the proceedings
that convention In most natterin
terms in their respective papers, upo
returning to their respective home
Governor Barnes was by that conve
ton elected as one of three delegate
90 10 to Washington and urge urc
congress the passage OF an immedia
single statehood enabling act.
Shortly after the Muscogee conye
ton and while congress- was In Sc
sion. the Oklahoma City Commerci
club, the Shawnee Commercial eli
and many other OF the leading col
nercial organizations Of the territo
adopted resolutions sen behalf OF Il
businnss men OF thOir respective