Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1902-01-30
is A F0RLON HOPE.
Democrats Clamoring for Two
States, as an Offset to Undue
Eastern Representation.
The Small Eastern
States Cited.

orous citizens Of that territory nov
in the city. Aud IL Is evident tha
they have already captured thr
committee on territories Of thl
house, and that a favorable repor
will be made by that commilte,
iOr some kind Of immediate state
hood for Oklahoma. Were it no
for the fact that the democrats ar,
attempting to inject Tolitics into
the question, the sea upon which
The Oklahoma statehood bill will
make lie legislative voyage would
be apparently placid and calm
But The attempt on the part of the
democrats to handle the question
from purely partisan standpoint
is calculated to cause the Oklaho.
ma ship a tempesiuous voyage.
The keynote has already been
sounded by Senator Baily of Tex.
as, who openly proolaims his de.
termination to contest the passage
OF any bill through the senate that
does not provide for the ultimate
creation Of two states out of the
Two terrilories He frankly as.
ssris tina, ia taking this position
he ia attempting to even up con.
dllions between the east and west.
lie asserts that Rhode leland New
Jersey, Delaware Connecticut and
other eastern states which cover
only few thousand square miles
have undue representation in the
United States Senate and in the
electoral college. BY creating two
states cut Of the two territories
this condition would be somewhat
squalized. He also asserts that
Indian territory when admitted,
will be democratic, and that Okla.
boma will, at least, be doubtful.
Senator Bailey is supported in
his position by Senator Jones OF
Arkansas, chairman OF the demo.
cratic national committee, and
other leading representatives Of
the party.
Over at the house end tie dem.
ocrats, with possibly one excep.
tion-Judge Moon Of Tennessee
have taken their cue from their
partisan friends at the senate end
They, too, want two states, aud
they will vote solidly in the COM
mittee and out of the committee
for statehood for Oklahoma now
and territorial form OF govern.
ment for Indian territory, which
will ultimately result in a state
government for that territory.
The republicans are considering
the question from a more exalted
standpoint. Their desire is to give
the people Of the two territories
the best form Of government con-
sisient with existing conditi ons.
They do not want to create one
petty commonwealth, but when
another state is added to the
Union they want it to cast add
tional lus,er upon the flag OF the
nation. The majority Of them are
10 favor OF a bill somewhat similar
to one The Introduced by Delegate
Flynn, giving statehood to Okla.
homa now, but with a provision
for the ultimate union of the two
territories Il is probable that the
statehood bill for Oklahoma will
provide for the immediate holding
OF constitutional convention 10
adopt a constitution and laws for
Oklahoma, aud that when a union
is finally formed Of the two terri.
tories provisions will be made for
the holding Of another constiiu-
tional convention, at which the
people will receive equal reoogni.
tion ia the formulation OF a con.
stitntion aud laws for the two ter.
ritories.
One Of the ahlest advocates OF
statehood for Oklahoma is Chief
Justice Burford, Of the supreme
court OF Oklahoma territory. He
has been here for several days, as
sis,ing in statehood legislation and
also furnishing the judiciary com.
mistee Of the house and senate
with data aud Information relative
to the needs of the territory Tor an
increase in its supreme court
membership. Justice Buriord ad-
yooates the creation of two addi.
iional members Of the supreme
court Of the territory, and il is
probable that congress will pass
suoh a law before the adjournment
Of the present session.
Ex Gov.A. ]. seay, one Of the
most prominent citizens Of ihe
territory, is also here. and hst
rendered valuable assistance "a
Delegate Flynn in the preparalior
aF Nh II.I..... 4, q. ....... 49,.