The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-11

dian country was remote from white set
tIeInent Now It is surrounded by states
containing an active,a ggressive, enterpris-
ing population. whose future, to a great
extent depends upon different form Of
government for the Indian country Then
there were no full-blood whites in the ter
ritory; now there are but few full-biood
Indians.
Then the residents were members Of
the tribes now there are five white citi-
zens for every Indian. Then the Indians
had but few houses and lived principally
by the chase: now many Of them have
magnificent residences and cultivate their
lands or have it done by their tenants
Then they had no schools except those
furnished by the government; now they
have a good system of public Indian
schools, with high schools and colleges,
for the children Of their tribes for which
they spend annually nearly $4,000.
Then there were no churches except
missions; now they have in every town
and community comfortable churches,
representing the different Christian de-
nominations Then they had no charit-
able Institutions; now they have homes
for the old and decrepit. asyluTs for the
insane, and institutions fer the mainten-
ance and education Of orphans Then there
were no newspapers; now there are over
60 Then there were no towns; now there
/ are % Incorporated towns. containing from
zoo TO 5000 popula ton, with improvements
worth over 100000 Then the coal and
other mines had not been discovered;
row they are admitted to be the richest
in the west and are practically inexhaus-
tible
Then there was not nile OF railroad
now there axe 1,s22 miles in operation and
many more in contemplation. Then hut
/ few whites had intermarried with the In
dams; row there is scarcely q family 70
be found among them without prepond-
erance of white blood. Then the country
was used and ruled by the Indians 10
whom it was patented; now large part
Of all the farms, mines. and towns are
/ operated by whites and mixed breeds who
| have become mem erss OF the tribes by
| marriage and the manipulations Of In
dian councils.
II think the courageous, patriotic. Just,
and manly thing to do is 10 give the citi-
zens Of the Indian Territory an equal
show with Oklahoma in forming the con-
stitution under which they must Ike. and
now is the accepted time 10 do this. They
had in 1873 30, $50 citizens IS good as those
in Oklahoma. with territory only lit
tie smaller in size than that Of Oklahoma.
1t would then be but simple justice TO let
them start in their statehood life togeth-
or and on equal terms. That would be
lust to the Indian, who could safely count
on his white neighbor TO protect him
AGAINST Oklahoma domination. which
could not be prevented If the bill passes
as reported and the Indian territory
should later be added.
The bill as passed provides that the
electors of each of these three territories
those qualified to vote-may choose dele
gates to a convention. Oklahoma will have
q convention OF 20 delegates; Arizona Il
convention consisting Of S5 delegates; New
Mexico a convention consisting OF H.
The house and council of Arizona have
about Is members. The representation in
the other two territories is enlarged to
arrive at fair fractions in dividing the
PEOPLE of the territories.
| The qualification of electors is generally
that they shall be citizens of the United
States. p years of age, and residents for
six months within the territory, with the
execution of Arizona. where a residence
of one wear is required. The convention
is to be called in Oklahoma by a procla-
nation of the governor within sixty days
latter the passage of the act; in Arizona
and New Mexico within thirty DAYS. The
conventions are TO be respectively at the
capitals of the various territories. The
apDortionment for the election in Okla
bona is to be made by the governor. the
secretary Of the territory and the chief
justice.
Each convention, when it has met. shall
adopt the constitution of the United
States, and thereupon is authorized 70
form a state constitution, which shall
contain the general provisions Of our con
stitutions including the broad guarantees
Of the rights Of citizens-what is called
the Declaration of Rights
The constitution is to be republican in
form, making no distinction in civil OF
political rights on account of race OF
color. except as to Indians not taxed. and
of course. is not To be Tepugnapt to the
constitution of the United states. These
constitutions are to provide, first. toiera-
ton OF religious sentiment. No inhaoi-
tant shall ever be molested in person OF
property on account of his or her mode OF
religious worship.
The people. also. in this constitution dis
claim forever al rights to the public
lands lying in these territories and the
lands which have been SET apart for tht
Indians. They still are 70 remain In con
troll Of congress Now. there is one special
) provision in regard to the constitution Of
Oklahoma IL provides that the territory
OF Oklahoma shall, in, its cossutution os
irrevocshle ordnance express its consent
that the Indian territory. il whole or il
mart. may at any time be annexed 70 il
and become a part Of the state.
There is difference Of opinion as t'
whether the Indian territory should be
come a Part of Oklahoma. and the powei
20 decide that is in congress. and this bil
leaves # in congress IN the future. hu
ocmnels Oklahoma in its constitution e
consent 20 whatever act congress Elal
take tn that matter. The convention at
Ter sioDtinz she constitution. provides bl
en- ordinance Tor submitting that c9ns-i
tuition II the people = The territory
The people Of The territory ratify Il wHei
submitted by q majority vote. then n
result transmitted To- Che president @
the Urised states. II The constitution q
found 10 conform 70 the provisions ~ II
federal constitution. tien he e. lrotia'ila
tion announces the RESIST ana The terri
tory becomes state
Il Is also provided THAI this convention
raav enact that TIRE Teprcs eniatiFes :
CONGRESS and The state EoTsrn-nents Tna
na .1lrf4.l ~ TIA. sam TINE fLlt thr Crfs
rieu ~ tae ratification is submitted e. th