The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-19
STATEHOOD
RESOLUTION
Is PASSED
Three Oklahoma Democrats
Act With the Republicans.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Action of Democratic House
Previous Day Reversed.

Guthrie, O. T, Feb. 1S.-The lower house
Of the legislature had hardly gotten down
to work this morning when Maxwell, OF
Canadian, presented joint resolution and
memorial petitioning congress to pass an
enabling act admitting Oklahoma 10 the
Union. Maxwell insisted on immediate
consideration of the measure. and by a
suspension of the rules, the resolution
and memorial was taken UP and adopted,
'McTaggart. Jones of Logan. and Maxwell
of the Democratic majority, voting with
the Republican side of the house. Yes
terday Decker's memorial went down to
defeat in a strict party vote, after hours
Of speech-making. 1t was supposed that
the matter would be dropped but Max
well and others were not satisfied with
the action of the house and another me-
mortal was prepared. Immediately after
the Introduction of the resolution and
memorial, Francis, of Roger Mills, jump
ed 10 his feet and objected to taking it
UP. He said that the house had already
consumed too much time on the statehood
matter, ana that he did not think that
the Oklahoma legislature should try to
dictate TO the United States senate what
* should do.
Maxwell in explaining his action, said
that he did not desire it TO go out from
Guthrie that the lower house is opposed
to statehood. and as legislatures in other
territories had sent resolutions and me
MORALS to congress, he believed it policy
Ill,
action relative to statehood. He said
further, that he believed his memorial
was not offensive to any political party,
and that it should be adopted.
Speaker Bowlcs took the position that
the omnibus bill is dead. and that he did
not propose to act as a pall-bearer in
the statehood matter. The speakers
speech sounded the keynote for the Dem
ocratic side Of the house, but enough of
the Democrats were favorable to the me
mortal 10 enable the Republicans to
pass it
The resolution and memorial is as fol-
lows:
Whereas, The marvellous growth and
unprecedented development of Oklahoma
territory during its brief existence of less
than fourteen years have melted the won
der and admiration of the civilized world;
and,
Whereas, Oklahoma territory has a
population of six hundred thousand, a
school population of one hundred and
sixty thousand. and a property valuation
of three hundred million of dollars, and
has demonstrated her ability for self
government; and.
Whereas. Both of the great political
parties in their national platforms have
repeatedly promised to admit the terri
tories to statehood; therefore. be it
Resolved, BY the council and house
of representatives of the Seventh legisla-
tive assembly OF the territory of Okla
homa. that We hereby petition and me
morialize the congress of the United
States to Immediately pass an act en-
ahling Oklahoma 10 be admitted to the
Union as a sovereign state. with such
boundaries as the congress in its wisdom
may deem best
Those for the memorial We're: Calm
ger, Braidwood. Cummins. Decker. Jones.
of Logan; Maxwell McTaggart. Merrlck.
Murphy, Sproat. Threadgin. Wagner.
Niikin, Williams. Against: Francis. Har-
rison. James. Jester. Jones, of Dewey:
Major, Mathews. Nesbitt. Robinson. Tut
tie. Bowies; Ballard being absent, MAX
ing fourteen for and eleven against
The Democratic territorial platform
placed the party on record for single
statehood only. but by a provision in
Maxwelrs memorial asks for statehood
for Oklahoma with such boundaries as
congress may deem best. making a de-
cided change in position as far as the
Democrats in the house are concerned.
Maxwell was censured by some Demo-
cratic members for introducing the me-
mortal, but the Canadian county man
stated that as far as his county is con
cerned, he could hardly do anything else.
The council this morning passed Fos-
tiers bin in regard to the building. con-
n ~. -.i.-...