The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1903-08-17
is BAILEY woRRIEpa


are to be taken as a criterion. the
Territory lobbyists will experience a
desperate time this winter in OBJ
tanning audiences. Il is dlhicult to see
how Mr. Bailey could rel'nquish all
interest IN a country so near his
home. and a country that now furn.
ishes homes for so many OF his form
er constituents. BE II all as IL may
there are probably some extenuatlng
features to be discovered. Mr.. Bailey
wanted double statehood, and now
that he disolaims further interest Is
sufficient evdence that he admsts
single statehood Inevitable. Then
there is one feature above all others
which serves TO discourage not only
Senator Bailey but everybody else
In congress, and that is the people
have never decided on a definite plan
OF action and conflicting resolu.
tlons are too often sent to the com.
mittee rooms. Every republican in
the land will do In every instance
what James G. Blaine said Of Gar
field, that right or wrong. he would
have never learned that much about
stick TO his party. but the democrats
party harmony. and the conventions
held in the Territory never nest.
tate on passing conflicting resolu.
tions. II Mr. Bailey and others are
tired there is happily an alternative.
and that alternative is the election
OF delegate to congress. Comment.
ing on this move the Kansas City
Journal says:
The right move is now on foot in
that land OF many conventions, In
dian Territory. A new convention is
to be called. not. however. for the
purpose Of agitating the question Of
double or single statehood, but with
the object Of presenting and urging
in due and emphatic manner the right
OF the Territory to have a delegate
to represent IL in the national legis-
lature. The plan, which seems 20 be
In fair way Of execution, is to issue
call within couple Of weeks for
mass meetings in every recording
town and district OF the five nations
Of the five civilized tribes to select
members for a central convention 20
be held the sth of October next at
South McAlester. A representative
man viii be selected at that time to
go to Washington with the proper
credentials, to present to the con.
gressional committee of election the
right OF Indian Territory to have an
accredited delegate in the halls OF
congress
This movement win undoubtedly
meet with hearty support from all
quarters irrespective OF politics. In
dian Territory, besides its 10000 ma
tives, has population Of nearly
100000. composed mostly of the very
best class OF white citizens, and yet
It is the only land in the United
States which is entirely deprived OF
self-government Oklahoma, Arizo
ma, New Mexido. and even Porto
Rico. Alaska and Hawaii, all have
their delegates In congress. II is a
rank injustice for a little island like
Porto Rico, containing hardly an
American citizen, and attached to
the nation only a few years ago
to be accorded privileges beyond In
dian Territory, which has a popula
tion OF full-blooded white Americans
greater than either OF Vermont, North
Dakota, Utah. Montana, Delaware
Idaho. Wyoming or Nevada, and equal
ing that of Oklahoma, and exceeding
that of the two territories OF Arizona
and New Mexico combined
IL this matter is presented 10
congress in a proper way, that body
will realize the wrong that is beinl
done the Territory by ignoring hel
constitutional rights and VIII make
a speedy correction. A delegate woul,
act as a wholesome check on the ap
pointive officers who now rule th'
five nations. He would natural!
be antagonistic enough 10 thes,
nonresident ofiice-holders to make
them act with caution in the dis
charge OF their duties He would ais,
be a powerful force in securing tn,
appointment OF actual Territorial cit
izens for judges, commissioners. in
spectors and other subordinate pub
lie servants. The election OF a del
egate would mark the beginning o
the end of the reign OF the carpet
bagger, and Il would also expedit,
the longed.for removal OF the gov
ernment of the Territory from tn,
Interior department at Washington