The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-11
Given a Magnificent Recep-
ton at 0keene.
CROSS is NOT IN FAVOR
With the People of That Sec
ton of Oklahoma.

zens who had gathered 10 hear the issues
Of the campaign discussed from a Repub
lican stannpoint. 1t was an audience
consisting principally Of voters. There
were many women present. and seeming
| " they took IS much interest in the poll
teal discussion as their fathers, brothers
and husbands There was enthusiasm at
all times and Mr.. McGuires reception
was exceedingly cordial from the people
of Okeene and vicinity. The statehood
question was the topic of interest to the
people Of this portion of Blaine county.
1t is a question that has interested them
for a number of years. The Democratic
idea Of statehood had been elucidated
upon by Mr.. Cross few weeks ago. and
the majority Of the persons who heard
Mr.. Cross at that time were anxious 10
hear the arguments Of AIr. Mcclure upon
the proposition Of immediate statehood
for Oklahoma. according TO the ideas OF
the Republican party which are along the
lines of the present Flynn bin. The hall
which was used could not have held more
people. Every seat was occupied. Stand
ing room was at a premium and every
person remained in the room until the
congregational candidate was through
speaking.
Mr.. Mcclure came in on the Rock Is
land from Enid, leaving Kingfsher in the
afternoon. He was met al the station by
2 large reception committee. 4 band was
present and when the train rolled into the
station it was playing a stirring selection
in honor of the congressional candidate.
There were many persons with torches
present. After Mr.. MCGUIRE was escorted
10 a carriage. the committee, headed by
the band marched up town and the
speaker was taken TO the Riley hotel for
a lunch before going 10 the meeting
When Mr. Mcguire appeared in the hall,
he was greeted with enthusiastic applause
and this cordial feeling continued until
his speech was ended. The speaker de-
voted the greater portion of his time TO
the statehood question. The differences
in the two platforms were explained; one
declaring for statehood for Oklahoma and
the Indian territory at such time when
the two territories can be admitted as one
state and the other-the Republican idea
for immediate statehood for Oklahoma.
The sentiment of all political parties in
reference to the statehood question in
years gone by was related. Members Of
all parties were protesting and supplicat-
ing for statehood for Oklahoma without
any thought Of the Indian territory. 1T
was only recently. said the speaker,
that the idea OF making the Indian ter
ritory a part Of oklahoma in statehood
was agitated and this has not been by
all of the members Of the Democratic
party
The condition Of the Flynn bIll at the
present tine was given and the protests
against the passage OF the bill which
means the statehood so much desired,
were referred 70. The speeches OF differ
ont persons before the committees on ter
ritorieg in congress were talked Of and
extracts from them, showing why the In
dian territory desired to be a part of the
state of Oklahoma were read to the au-
dience. The speaker explained that it
meant division OF the school money and
the payment Of the greater portion Of the
taxes by the people Of oklahoma, il the
Indian territory is made a part OF the
state without having first been prepared
by the United States. The locating Of
the state institutions proved to be OF in
terest 10 he people Of his portion Of
Blaine county. They like the idea Of hav-
ing the state institutions IN Oklahoma
and not in the Indian territory, for it is
realized that with a majority Of the votes
in the state legislature. there IS a posi-
bility Of the institutions being located 70
the eastern portion Of the territory and
possibly within the confines Of the Indian
territory.
In this part of the territory there is
strong sentiment for statehood and II is
not the kind that provides for the ad-
mission OF the Indian territory with Ok
iahoma at this time. The people Of this
section Of Oklahoma are for Oklahoma
first. If il is desired TO make the Indian
territory a part Of the state OF Oklahoma.
il is realized that such can be done later
on. after Oklahoma has received an en-
abling act.
The proposition Of settling the school
land question was one OF interest TO the
school land lessee and the men Interested
in the disposition OF the school land in
the future state. Mr. Mcclure made an
appeal 10 the school land man that was
strong one According to his ideas i'm
mediate statehood will solve the school
land problem much more quickly than
waiting for statehood with the Indian
territory. The Democratic idea means
that the same conditions viii prevail for
an indefinite number CT years, as the
school land matter cannot be settled until
statehood is secured.
Pln Cross where here made speech
relative q the mixed school qGuesticn- K
ves practically the same speech that he
has delivered in certain portions OF the
territory declaring against the negroes
and stating that the mixed school CUES
ton Is not settled.
Mr.. Mcclure read the separate school
law as passed by the last legislature and
told Of the case that went 70 the supreme
court of the territory. having been started
hv perscns who believed that The Ian as
made rs the legislature was IN violation
If the organic act ot the territory. The
decision of The chief justice - The tsTri-
tory. who stated Il there wa one white
child in school distsic; h. should have
a se-zrate school and Il there was oue
co3rred child in a sche0l district he should
have q sensrate school This fact indicst-
e 70 the sudisuce that the matter IS set
Ted and that the reference - TIE mixed
scnool question ty the Democratic ora-
tors Is simply 20 appeal - the prejudice
of the rcoale who in genera are opposed
Q, rns~eS schoais The differences T.
Cross speeches was a revelation % rlaHy
persons IL fhe 1uSlsnca- Deueo~r1ts Eho
were present were amazed a. thg duplic-
its Of their candidate. and expressed ihs
Lellef that 81 fairness u the people %
tie territory who are looking Sor the
facts that he should have expressed the