Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1902-01-23
Bill introduced by Stephens
Of Texas Providing for
Single State.
BUT ONE STATE
To be Formed from Oklahoma and
Indian Territories, and Pro.
vides for Calling Of Con.
siilulional Convention
in July.

A bill was introduced il. the
house Of representatives yesterday
by Congressman Stephens Of Texas
which provides for the uniting OF
Oklahoma aud Indian Territory,
in one state.
II directs that a constitutional
convention be held, compos ed Of
100 delegates chosen by the cili.
zens Of the two territories, to be
apporiioned to the various counties
and districts as follows:
Oklahoma-Beaver, Blaine, Day,
Dewey and Roger Mills counties,
and the Usage and Kuw and Ponca
and 0loe reservations, one dele.
gate each; Caddo, Canadian, Cleve.
land, Custer, Comanche, Grant,
Greer, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Noble,
Pawnee and Washilaw counties,
TWO each; Carried, Kay, Lincoln,
Logan, Payne, and Potlawatomie
counties, three each; Woods coun.
ty, four.
Indian territory-Cheroke and
Choctaw districts, eleven each
Chickasaw district, fifteen; Greek
district, four, and Seminole and
Quapaw districts, one each.
The bill directs the governor Of
Oklahoma 10 issue a proclamation
ordering an election Of delegates
to be held June 3, 1902, aud to
appoint boards of election com.
mi issioners. The delegates elect.
ed are to meet in Oklahoma City
July Z, 1902, and adopt a coDsti.
tuition, which shall be submitted
to the voters for ratification Nov.
4. 1902. II the constitution is not
ratified the governor is directed to
call the delegates together again
that they may formulate another
constitution TO be submitted for
ratification on the first Monday in
November, 1903 Until the next
census lie taken the new siate is
entitled to FIVE representatives in
the house OF representatives,, to.
gether with a governor and other
state officials, TO be provided in
cor slilution, to be elected on the |
first Tuesday after the fret Mon
day IN November after the raiifioa.
tion Of the constitution.
The bill also provides that, up.
on the admission Of the new state,
certain public lands be set aside
for school purposes and that all
lands granted for this purpose
shall be disposed Of at public sale,
the funds resulting to constitute a
permanent school iund, the inter.
est Of which only, shall be expeud
ed in support of schools. II pro
vides further that other public
land be sold to bear the necessary
expenditures in connection with
the establishment Of certain insti
tulioDs. The state is to be divided
into two federal judicial districts
In outlining the BOUNDARIES of lh-
state, the bill contains
this section.
Nothing contained in the said
respecting the bound |
aries OF said state shall be oonstru
ed to impair the rights Of persons
or property pertaining to the In
dians OF said territories, 80 long a
such rights shall remain unexting. |
uished by treaty between the
United States and such Indians, or
TO include any territory which, by
treaty with such Indians, is not, !
consent Of The Indians, TO
be included within the limits of !
any state, but all such territory
shall be excepted until said In.
dians shall signify their assent to
The President of the United States
To be included -