The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-06-10

upon them, had sent personal friends
to many of them, and had secured
letters to them from mutual friends
or business associates. When he got
ready to come to congress last De
ceniber he discovered that he had
spent nearly all OF his congressional
salary and allowances for printing
and clerk hire in distributing state.
hood literature The situation was a
little embarrassing, but just then a
fee. overdue. and given up for lost,
came in, and the day was saved. The
statehood bureau was put in operation
esan.
Some time in the course of the cam
paign Mr.. Rodey subscribed to a clip
ping bureau and bought a new bunch
of trouble Every time a newspaper
no matter how prominent or obscure,
printed an item against statehood the
editor found a new correspondent on
his list Mr.. aodey would send a per
sOnal argumentative letter, and fol-
low II up with printed arguments that
we're convincing. When a favorable
squib appeared the editor promptly
received a letter of thanks from Mr.
Rodey and more literature He has
entered into arguments by mail with
, classes of people, in all parts OF
4, country and has probably done
more to remove the prejudices and
lack OF knowledge of the press and
people of the United States on mat
ters pertaining to New Mexico than
all other agencies and influences com
bined, and his only regret is that he
mas not been able to find more time
to devote to the campaign.
There is not a member of the sen
ate or the house who does not know
i.odey He has argued with every
one of them Gu the statehood ques-
tion and has persistently fought for
! the recognition OF his territory Some
months ago many of the members.
even those who were opposed to the
bill. learned that it was not safe to
ask questions about the territory in
/ Rodey's presence. A casual inquiry
about any of the resources of the
country was sufficient cause for Mr..
Rodey to send the inquirer dray load
of literature and an invitation to
lunch to discuss statehood prospects.
No opposition has been free from as
sault by Mr. Rodey, and he hopes to-
day that the bill which passed the
house will be favorably considered
by the senate before u.a adjournment
of the present session There is but
little prospect that the bill will come
from the committee, but Mr.. Rodey
will be working for it until congress
adjourns II he Is not successful he
viii not be discouraged. He is not
built along those lines. The cam
paign will be renewed during the
summer and kept up as Ion gas Mr..
Rodey is able to talk and write.
AS a delegate Mr. Rodey has not
vote in congress. He has voice,
however. and It has been raised for
statehood. first, last and all the time.
He speaks english, Spanish and
French. all with a delicious Irish ac'
cent Not Deing able to vote, he has
not devoted much of his time to legis
lative matters unless the interests o.
the territories was involved, although
he has kept in pretty close touch with
all Of the proceedings Of congress
with the view of turning every point
possible into an argument for state
hood He has probably never had al
equal in congress in capacity for wori
and Willingness to do IT,
J. n. A.
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