Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-10-31
Special to the Oklahoman.

6peclal 10 tne ORlanOmau.
Norman, o. T., Oct. IA meeting
was held in this city tonight that for
intense interest and enthusiasm
eclipsed any political event here In
recent years. The speakers were
Hon. VIM. Cross. Hon. c. B. Ames
and Hon. ]. o. Blakeney
Mr.. Cross received flattering ova-
tlon when he arose to speak. He,
made an address that went straight
home 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 on
the statehood question. Mr.. Ames
address was a masterpiece Of elo-
Quence and logic, and the audience
was at times tumultuous as he laid
open the speclous 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 at every pause.
Mr.. Ames said:
There is 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 SIN
gle statehood and for immediate SIN
ale statehood and II has 30 clearly
committed itself to this doctrine that
ne who runs may read without diff
Guilty.
Opposed to this position, the repub
ucan party in this campaign stands
for double statehood. AS is usually
the case with the republican policies
II 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 equivocation that their true posi-
tion Is for the formation Of two states
out OF these two territories. In or
der TO ascertain the exact position Of
the republican party on this issue, 4
IN necessary to briefly review the his
tory of statehood agitation for the
past few years. About two years age
a single statehood convention, com
pored 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 afnha
tion. Many prominent Oklahoma re
tublicans were at that convention ant
were enthusiastic advocates OF single
statehood: that convention adoptet
resolutions which were explicit in tn
advocacy of single statehood and tn
republicans present participated in al
the proceedings of that convention AM
endorsed its resolutions.
Republicans on Record.
Less than twelve months ago an
other statehood convention was hell
in the city of Muscogee, composed o
delegates from both territories. Thi
was also attended by many leadin
renublicans from Oklahoma, amon
when were Governor Barnes, Mr.. +
IL Greer, Mr.. H. B. Gilstrap, and MI
ID. @, Lewis, all of whom were actiy
and prominent in the deliberations
that body. This convention also too
Hpeclfic stand in favor OF immediat
single statehood. 1t even went fartf
ar than that; 1t adopted a plank b
tha terms of which 1t declared: wv
are unalterably opposed to any forr
of statehood which contemplates tn
admission Of Oklahoma and the subs'
ouent attachment OF the Indian terr
tory by piecs-meal." Messrs. Gree
and Gilstrap were both members c
the committee on resolutions, whic
reported that platform and that planl
and both endorsed the proceedings {
that convention In most hatterin
terms in their respective papers, upo
returning to their respective home
Governor Barnes was by that convei
zion elected as one Of three delegate
20 70 to Washington and urge uro
congress the passage Of an immediat
single statehood enabling act.
Shortly after the Muscogee CONVEX
tion and while congress was in Sc
sion. the Oklahoma City Commercii
alub, the Shawnee Commercial clu
and many other of the leading con
hercial organizations Of the territoi
adopted resolutions on behalf OF II
business men Of thcir respective o