Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-10-23


Special to the Oklahoman.
Norman. o. T., Oct IA meeting
was held in this city tonight that for
intense interest aud enthusiasm
sclipsed any political event here in
recent yenrs. The speakers we're
Hon. VIM. Cross. Hon. G. b. Ames
and Hon. ]. o. Blakeney.
Mr.. Cross received a flattering ova-
tion when he arose to speak. He
made an address that went straight
homo TO his hearers. and the large
audience repeatedly cheered him as
he 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 en-
the statehood question. Mr.. Ames'
address was q masterpiece OF elo-
quence and logic, and the audience
was at times tumultuous as he laid
open the specious campaign for
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 ut every pause.
Mr.. Ames said:
There 10 one thing about which tho
democrats and republicans agree In
this campaign. That 10. 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 unequlvocal terms
the position OF the democratic party
The dem cratic party stands for SIN
gle statehood and for immediate sin
Rle statehood and II has so clearly
committed itself to this doctrine that
he who runs may read without difh
Guilty.
Opposed to this position. the repub
lican party in this campaign stands
for double statehood. AS Is usually
the case with the republican policies
II IN impossible to ascertain what they
are from their platform. but the argu
ment OF their speakers and the events
of tho past few years establish beyond
any equiyocation 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 o.
the republican party on this issue, 4
10 necessary to briefly review the his
tory OF statehood agitation for thu
past few years. About two years agS
a single statehood convention. com
posed OF delegates from both terrific
ries, was held at South McAlester
This convention was attended by
many OF the leading men OF both ter
ritories. regardless Of political afnlia
ton. Many prominent Oklahoma re
fublicans were at that convention an(
were enthusiastic advocates OF single
statehood: that conventig n adopted
resolutions which were explicit in thu
advocacy OF single statehood and th'
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 hel'
in the city Of Muscogee, composed o
delegates from both territories. Tn
was also attended by many LEADING
republicans from Oklahoma, am. nj
whom we're Governor Barnes. Mr.. +
II. Greer, Mr.. II. B. Gilstrap. and MI
ID, C. LOWS. all Of whom were acttv
and prominent in the deliberations o
that body. This convention also tool
sIecihc stand In favor of immediate
single statehood. 1t even went tarth
er than that; It adopted plank b,
the terms OF which II declared; "W
are unalterably opposed to any form
of statehood which contemplates tn
admission Of Oklahoma and the subse
quent attachment of the Indian terri
tory by piece.meal" Messrs. Gree
and Gilstrap were both members o
the committee on resolutions, whic
reported that platform and that planh
and both endorsed the proceedings c
that convention in most hatterin
terms in their respective papers. upo
returning TO their respective homes
Governor Barnes was by that conver
ton elected as one OF three delegate
20 10 to Washington and urge uTo
congress the passage OF an immediat
single statehood enabling act.
Shortly after the Muscogee conver
ton and while congress was In se'
sion, the Oklahoma City Commercia
club, the Shawnee Commercial clu
and many other OF the leading con
snercial organizations Of the territor
adopted resolutions on behalf OF III
business men Of their respective ol