The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-06
Democratic Central Commit
tee Works Against State
hood Bill.
HENDERSON PRONOUNCED
In His Opposition, and Yet the
Bill viii Pass.

for Oklahoma unless It is single state
hood with the Indian Territory. Speaker
TIerderson's attitude is ineXplicable. 1t
is said that he tells each territory that
ne would have been for the bin if the
other territories had not been included
Speaker FIenderson's opposition is grow
ing. He has refused TO set a day for
its hearing and viii do everything in his
power TO defeat it. But sometime next
week it viii be brought mp before the
house and il will be passed. Many Re
publicans and many Democrats are for
IL The protests Of the Oklahoma Demo-
cratic viii undoubtedly cut down the
Democratic support The bin 'wiH be
brought up On question Of considera-
ton. ard a majority vote on that PROPOSE
lion viii be followed by victory in the
house. So far as the senate is concerned
there is Il feeling that prospects for sue
cess have materially frightened there and
after all the great fight may be in the
house, the success there being final.
Washington. April 6.-The report Of the
house committee on territories has been
made public. embraces an exhaustive re-
view of the resources Of Oklahoma its
population and wealth. In reviewing the
national advantages Of these three ter
territories asking for admission. the COM
mittee has this TO say:
Oklahoma is the young giant Of the
territories. rich in a soil yielding with
natures most lavish hand all the pro-
ducts of the temperate zone. This soil
is now almost entirely under cultivation
and little Of The public lands remain.
More fortunate than her sister territor-
e. Ia to V..af4 foil
This fair land about equals the size of the
state of Ohio. IF the figures were not
at hand to show the valuation Of property
for taxation could anyone doubt the
ability of the new state to support the
best state government? New Mexico and
Arizona are an imperial domain. New
Mexico is larger than Great Britain, Scot
iand and Ireland. Arizona is nearly as
large. They differ in topography from the
rich prairie lands Of Oklahoma, with
their mountains. valleys, and high table
lands
The report continues:
THE territory of OKLAHOMA contains
5000 square miles. OF 24979. 200 acres. an
area about equal TO the state Of Ohio. 4
large portion of the territory is composed
IF productive agricultural lands, CORE
spending in fertility with the rich prairie
lands of Kansas. Nebraska and Iowa.
The first settlement was made on April
PISS, and the census of the following
year OS9O showed a population of 81 .S34.
BY the census Of 1900 the population was
s9S 3el. or more than six times as large
as it was ten years before, the increase
being 544.2 per cent.
Since the census of 1900 the increase of
population in all parts Of the territory
and the growth Of the cities and towns
have been phenomenal. and is estimated
by the governor Of Oklahoma in his re-
port for the year ending June so 1901. at
not less than 10000 To this must be
added the large influx of population i'm the
Kiowa and ComanGhe and Wichita reser-
vations opened to settlement i'm August.
1901 when 1900 homesteads were opened
for settlement. Sc there seems to be no
doubt but that the present population Of
oklahoma is not less than $4,000.
The bin as reported contains all the
usual provisions of the enabling acts un-
der which most Of the territories have
heretofore been admitted as states in the
third section il is provided that the cousti-
tutional convention shall by an irrevoca-
bic ordinance express the consent Of The
state Of Oklahoma that congress- may at
az any time. attach all or an vpart of the
Indian Territory to the state of Okla-
homa. This leaves congress free 10 add
the Indian Territory TO Oklahoma with
ont obtaining the consent of the state.
should the events OF the future justify
such action.
Section OF TIE bill provides for grant
ms to the state sections 16 and SIS in ev-
cry township ia she territory, or indem-
nifty land equivalent thereto fer the
support Of the common schools. These
lands are to be disposed of only at public
auction to the highest bidder preference
right TO purchase being given 10 The les
see at time Of sale. she proceeds to con-
stitute "A public school fund. the interest
of which only shan be expended in the
support Of such schools; hut it IS pro-
yided that the lands may DE leased for
period not 10 exceed Eve years under
such regulations as the legislature may
provide.
In section Of the bill section Is in
every township is granted 70 the state
under the same conditions for tho equal
use and benefit Of the university, the nor
NAL schools and the Agricultural ana Ne
chanical college.
Section So in every township is granted
Tor charitable and penal institutions. and
IS to be disposed of rs the legislature Of
the state may provide
"An Of these lands have heretofore been
reserved TO the territory under various
acts of congress
In addition 10 these grants the hiu pro-
vides that in lieu Of grants of land Tor
the purpose Of internal improvements
heretoforemade new states by acts OF
congress. the following grants shall be
made TO Oklahoma. For the benent ~
the Territorial university. 20e2 acres:
for the benefit az the Aericulural ard
Mechanical college. oeoo: Tor the benedt
OF the Colored Agricultural and Normal
university loooa9 acres. for the benefit
Of normal schools. $4,000. and 70 10 dis
posed II as the legislature NAV provide
s-aeo9 acres. all If said land 70 be selected
by the state with the approval of The
secretary of the interior.
THE bin provides thar until The next
general census Of the state SHAH be- ems
titled 10 two representative In the lower
house OF congress. The constitutional
convention is authorized TO provide far
the election OF officers for fuH state Ear
eminent. members Of the legislature aHtl
representatives IN congress. nat sa5a
state government shan remain in abe,
ance until the state Ahau - admitted e.
ths Unicn.