The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-11-24
Annual
Report of Governor
Ferguson Treats Of
Territory's De
velopment

GOV6rnCf FerguSOns annual report
to 3 A. Hitchcock, secretary of the
interior, made las. September, has
been printed occupying 11S pages Of
printed matter 1t forms an exhaust
i've review of the resources and devel-
opment OF Oklahoma In his report
Governor Ferguson vigorously advo
Gates the admission OF Oklahoma to
statehood. OF statehood he says:
Oklahoma is entitled to statehood,
entitled TO it now There are in the
territory ESQ, 200 intelligent American
citize' who are deprived of the right
'of self government A conservative
estimate Of the wealth of Oklahoma
places It at 400 million dollars. There
are seven educational institutions OF
higher learning under the control of
the territory, besides numerous high
schools and colleges under the con
troll Of religious denominations. Our
people are in every respect entitled
to that which is dear to the heart of
every progressive American-the right
TO govern themselves.
Against this proposition there can
be no logical objection Oklahoma has
the intellect, the wealth, the moral
force. the energy. the natural re-
sources, the development already
achieved and tho prom 'se of a splen.
did future sufficient to justly entitle
her 10 careful consideration and con.
gressional action. No logical reason
Ican be urged against her early admis.
sion into the sisterhood of states"
The number OF acres of land appro-
priated by homesteaders curing the
past year has been much less than in
some former years This Governor
Ferguson accounts for by The state
.nent that much Of the unappropriated
land is in Beaver and Woodward coun-
ties and is suitable only for grazing
purposes. From the 2 million acres
of school and reserved lands the ter
ritory derived an income of $S75.000
for the year 1908, an average of more
han 81 900 a day. Discussing the
system Of renting school lands which
has provoked SO much discussion in
the territory. Governor Ferguson says
The Lease Plan a Success.
"The present system Of leasing the
land for a term of three years, with
The privilege Of renewal for another
succeeding term at the appraised rent
al. gives general satisfaction. In the
past there has been some difficulty in
securing an equitable and uniform ap-
.praisoment in all parts of the terri
tory SO II has been decided for this
YEAR to have force of viewers go
upon thc lands whereon the lease is
abou, 10 expire, observe complete
description Of g. and file 10 with the
IdcpS-tment. together Nth plat OF
the Ian These descriptions and plats
wln De taken up and passed upon by
board of Ave practical farmers and
UNNltAHn Nltnr 10 ft nNANNANA ~ NN~
board for leasing school lands, and
they VIII classify the lands and fix tke
rentals for the en'ire territory. The
care a man takes Of his land and the
manner in which he farms Il will be
taken into consideration In fixing the
rsntal and it is believed that this win
result in satisfying all reasonable OBJ
jeciions that may have been raised by
aNy 81 the rentals In the past.
mors thar 2,oro Schools.
sOwing 10 a tendency 10 speculate
in these lands. the boarl has amend
ed les rules to prevent the hypothe-
eating OF leases and security for loans
and the transferring Of same IN blank.
and has required thar in'the future ell
leases an transfers shsn be executed
before q nosary public or other oaie'
ser empowered fo take aekno~ledse-
ments "a the same manner as required