The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-08


mans. mostly politicians. are clamor-
Gus for immediate statehood, but they
oner no argument OF sufficient weight
to justify the sacrifice Of the future
veal OF the state upon the altar Of
political ambition. Another portion
Of the inhabitants Of our sister terri
tory are equally as ardent in their ad-
vocacy Of single statehood. The ques
ton with these people is not one Of
politics, members OF each party being
found among the friends of each
proposition. Ia addition TO these two
factions. there is a large element Civ
ing the matter no attention at ALL but
simply going ahead, looking after their
own affairs and Indifferent as to
whether statehood comes now or a
few years later
There is much that might be said
along these lines, but the settlement Of
this question is in the hands OF intelli-
gent men--men who only need to have
an idea presented to Them to quickly
follow that idea in its various ramifca-
tions and note its bearing upon the
question at issue Such men win
readily perceive that to drag portions
Of the Indian territory at odd times
into a state in the creation of which
the people of the section so attached
have had no voice Is to engender n
spirit of bitterness that would live for
ages and build up a sectional preiu-
fise that would pay no regard to par
ty lines, but form the dividing line
upon which all political battles would
be fought, such sectional antagonism
preventing the harmonious amalgama,
tion OF the several parts and making
of that which should be great and
strong state a house divided against
itself
On the other hand, the decision hay
ing been made that the future of the
two territories is indissolubly united,
is it not the part of craftsmanship in
whatever may be done at this session
of congress to look beyond the pres
ent and 10 the future of the state
which is to be made, taking only such
steps as may best insure the future
harmony and prosperity Of that state?
To accomplish bis statesmanlike
purpose. that which is now done must
be a step toward the harmonizing of
the factional differences. not one that
would add new fuel to the flames.
This step can be taken by giving to
the people OF the Indian territory the
same form OF government now enjoyed
by Oklahoma, making us a part of
that territory for all purposes; dlvid-
ing the territory into counties under
the provisions Of the Moon bill and set
ting a date at which a constitutional
in which each territory
shall have appropriated representa-
ion, this convention to frame a consti-
tuition to be submitted to the people OF
the proposed state for their approval.
In that way can justice be done to
the people Of the Indian territory and
40 injustice whatever win be done
the people Of Oklahoma. because it
need not delay statehood for that ter
ritory more than six months. A little
thought on the foregoing statement
will convince one Of its truth. Should
the present congress pass an enabling
act for Oklahoma and the matter be
pushed with utmost vigor at least
eighteen months must elapse before
The territory can put on the full
OF statehood The act extend /
ing the territorial lines of oklahoma
about us may set the dates al which
the work of the commissions here
must be completed and prior to that
the preliminary steps to