The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-05-28
get plenty
For Single Statehood.

The area of the Indian Terri
tory is 81 900 square miles and
population in 1900, 391,OO The
area OF Oklahoma is 3S, 800 square
miles and the population 10 1900,
39S, 900. Therefore the combined
area of the two territories is about
10000 square miles and the com.
bined population 10 1900 about
790, 600 and perhaps today at loast
100000. The area of Arkans%s
is So, ,045; Of Missouri, 6S,735; Of
Kansas, 81, 700 aud Of Texas, 262,.
800. So you see the area Of Okla.
homa and Indian Territory would
be about on an average compared
with the adjoining states. The
population OF Kansas In 1900 was
1,47i 900, and considering the
way the Indian Territory is SO
Iast filling up, the population now
is not far behind Kansas.
The logical reason, and only
sound reason, why the twin ter
ritories should be- only one state
Is because II takes the area Of both
to make . fair sized and hesltby
xsats II will make taxation pcf-
msnsnlly too high to divide these
territories, Indian Territory
would have 81 900 miles of good
and bad land, and this would
make the weakest state 10 area
and wealth west Of West Virginia,
which has "a ,645 square miles.
II must be born in mind that no
state has been enlarged since the
formation Of our government after
once admitted into the union as q
state. We do not az a state ~ant
to be a mere dot on the map and
bordered by great and healthy
states like those adjoining.
The expense Of maintaining 3
amall state Is about es great as re-
quired in maintaining large one.
This expense would be permanent
aud tobe paid by property holders.
Therefore the land owners and
general taxpayers should look
ahead ten years and see the result.
No one but a politician, who now
holds federal Office, or ona who
thinks his caliber is large enough
for n member Of the q. s. Senate
or for a state office In either Ok.
lahoma OF Indian Territory should
be in favor OF double statehood
OF course the federal Office hQlder
naturally wishes to hold hiS job,
while the big political guns know
that Ia two states there will be
more offices to fill than in one.
But to the most Of US who will do
we'll to be elected J. P. aud whose
main mission in the new state or
states will be to pay taxes should
not listen TO them in this mstter,
but look to our financial welfare
and to that OF our children.
Oklahoma is beautiful prairie
state and is making the fastest
aud most substantial progress ever
known; and with It's school lands
aud new public buildings aad best
OF all lie great enterprise aud In.
dustry, Il is ell right. This Okla.
homa boomer should be welded "a
this haehtui tndtan maiden pos
sssed of her vast coal, lead Gsd
oil tields, besides her timber areas
aud numerous other natural re.
sources, aud after this wedding
the new state can soon pay of the
Indebtedness OF about 81, 900, ,000,
which Oklahoma now owes, and
we would share the benefits alike
OF their school land and public
buildings aud all would show
slatesmanahip.
II Indian Territory Is not al.
milted With Oklahoma II will be
several yeare no doubt before II is
and this means go many years Of
federalism, which smscks strong
Of monarchy, so let no one listen
In eome disorunted chief. but look