The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-25
FERGUSON AT ENID
He Tells People Why Oklahoma Is
Entitled to Statehood.

Enid, O. T.. Oct 24.-T'he court house
was crowded TO its utmost capacity night
before last when Territorial Committee
man Ferguson arose to introduce Gov
ernor T. B. Ferguson.
The governor opened his speech by
throwing some very large and handsome
bouquets at the audience. and describ-
ing the differences between the Enid of
today and when he first came to deliver
a Decoration Day address. He said Enid
was the pride Of northern Oklahoma.
Where few years ago there were no
marks of civilization, no hint of the
wonderful improvements now seen, the
magic hand of civilization has changed
ALL and what was once the frontier, the
wild west, is now settled with people
who represent the highest civilization of
the world.
He spoke of the misleading stories
which had been, in an early day, sent
out from Oklahoma. and how they had
hurt her. but now the territory has out
grown them, and the east was getting q
better understanding of the true condi-
tions. He told some good and interesting
stories and when he launched into poll
tics. he did not abuse the opposition, but
said every mans interest is as great as
his neighbor' and that man has a right
TO vote as his conscience dictated.
The governor gave some historical rem
inescences, and said the brightest page
written in the history of the nation have
been written by the Republican party"
IN speaking of old glory. he said: I've
believe that the starry banner which
floats over this country is the best that
floats over any country, but there Is one
thing which it lacks. and that is a star,
whose name is oklahoma:
Oklahoma" said the governor, has
Geo, 900 citizens. and We are entitled to
statehood. 1t has been charged that the
federal officeholcers of this territory are
opposed to statehood" he continued, but
I am here TO tell you that these Office
holders want statehood as much as you
do. Statehood is the paramount issue
and is more important than any office"
He said that Oklahoma's assessment
was s72 900, 900, but that was less than
one-fourth the true value. and he be-
lieved that the cash value of Oklahoma's
assets today would reach the enormous
sum of S2Ss, 100000. Our school children
number 1902 and our educational faciH-
ties are as good as any state in the west,
and the Democrats. Populists and Repub-
lIcans are nearer together today on this
school proposition. than ever before.
He said statehood vith Indian terri
tory is a dream. an in4o5ssibility. There
is not a road in that territory which has
not been bought from the Indians. and
there are no public improvements except
in the towns. There are no school
houses in that territory that could be
/ lsed by a district. in a state, for they are
all private property. The people of In
dian territory ask us to pay their taxes.
to open their roads, pay for their school
houses, and educate their 10000 school
children. The school money last year
was s257Oo0. and it belongs to you. and
to your children, about 81 for each child
OF school age. Indian territory asks you
to divide this with them and bring you
nothing in return. While you have the
best of feeling for the Indian territory,
I do not believe that you can carry your
good will to that extent. that you viii
take money from your own school child
ren and divide with Indian territory
He told of the extent of the Indian
/ territory. its population; of the Indian
treaties which make it an impossibility
to get statehood for many years; Of how
the solid Democracy in congress were for
, the Flynn bill. and the Democrats OF
oklahoma and Indian territory were
alone IN their struggle; of the good that
a Republican delegate can do for Okla
homa and how little q man opposed TO
the administration could do He euiogiz-
ed Bird Mcclure. and predicted his cleo
ton. His speech was well received. and
heartily applauded.
Ex-Governor Seay followed Governor
Fergusoh and spoke briefly. He compli-
mented Enid on having such a wonder
ful growth and IN having such energetic
citizens. explained the Flynn bin. and
why it should be passed His speech was
+ good. and he was highly compimented
after the close OF the meeting on the
strength OF MS arguments