The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-04
Oklahoma and Indian Territory
VIII Be United,
OTHER TWO KNOCKED OUT
New State to Be Called Oklahoma and
VIII Be Allowed Four Representa-
tives and Two Senators Until
After Next Census Report.

washington. December S.-.The senate
committee on territories today agreed to
report substitute for the house omnibus
statehood bill. The substitute provides
for the admission of one new state. to
comprise the territory now included In
Oklahoma and Indian territory, the new
state to take the name of Oklahoma. The
bill as reported makes no reference TO
New Mexico or Arizona.
The decision of the full committee is In
accord with the conclusion reached by
the republican members Except Senator
Quay.
The status of the Indians residing in
the two territories is defined In a pro-
vision Inserted in the first section of the
bill. This section authorizes the inhabit-
ants Of tie two territories to adopt y
state constitution, and says:
Nothing contained In the said consti-
tuition shall be construed to limit or I'M
pair the rights of persons or property
pertaining TO the said Indians in said
territories so long as such rights shall
remain unextinguished, or to limit or af-
feet the authority of the government of
the United States to make any law or
regulation respecting such Indians their
lands, property or other rights which It
would have been competent to make IL
this act had never passed"
All Men Can Vote.
is usual IN the admission Of states, ali
male citizens are authorized to vote for
delegates to the constitutional conven-
tion, and there is a provision adopted
extending this privilege to Indians who
are members of any of the tribes located
in Indian territory These Indians are
also made eligible to become delegates to
the convention The total number OF
such delegates is limited to TO- sixty
each from Oklahoma and Indian terri
tory In Oklahoma the delegates are to
be apportioned to the various counties
by the territorial officers, and Indian ter
ritory TO tho districts by the judges OF
the United States courts. The federal
judges In Indian territory are also made
to constitute the final carvassng board
for the vote of that territory The state
hood convention is to be held at the seat
of government of Oklahoma territory
Among the declarations prescribed for
the proposed state is one forever pro-
hibtting polygamous or plural mar
riages.' There is also a provision requlr-
ing the state to assume the debts of the
territory of Oklahoma. The constitution
adopted is to be submitted 10 the quail
fed voters of the proposed state for ratf-
fication or rejection as usual IN such
cases. In case of acceptance a proclama-
tion OF the President will be the final act
necessary to admit to complete state
hood.
Allowed Four representatives.
|. The new state is to be allowed four rep
resentatives in congress until the next
census, two United States senator's and a
full quota of state officers. Liberal pro-
vision is made for the public school sys-
tenn Of the state
The state is to be divided into two Judi
cial districts to be known as the eastern
covering the area of the present Indian
Territory and the western district, cover
ing the territory at present comprised in
Oklahoma
The constitutional committee is empow-
cred to divide Indian Territory and the
land comprised in the Usage and Kaw res
ervations into counties the number of
counties being limited to twenty-four.
The session Of the committee at which
the bill was ordered reported did not ex-
ceed fifteen minutes In duration. There
was no discussion. AS soon as the SUBJ
stitute bill was presented 1t was submit
ted to vote. The votes of all the repub-
lican members except Senator Quay were
cast for the substitute and all the demo-
Gratis against 1t.
Senator Quay voted with the democrats.
The vote stood to ). There also was a
vote on reporting the bill as it came from
the house. the division being on the same
lines as that of the vote on the substi-
tute except that the majority was in the
negative.
Captain Howell Elected.
Atlanta, tra December Capt.
Evan p. Howell was today elected
mayor Of Atlanta without opposition.
having been nominated some time ago
in the democratic primary. James L.
Mayson was reelected city attorney.