The Wichita daily eagle., 1903-11-11
CHANCES GOOD
FOR STATEHOOD
Ex-Governor Seay of King
fisher Discusses Subject
NOW THE ACCEPTED TIME
Present Congress Must Do the
Necessary Work
NOW THE ACCEPTED TIME

FL Reno, o. T., Nov. 10.-Ex-Governor
Seay of Kingfsher, who is in the city for
few days working in the interest Of an
organization for statehood for Oklahoma,
said last night that he believed the
chances for statehood to be much bright
er than atany time in the past.
Now is the accepted time to use the
words of a Christian minister. If Okla
homa is ever to be admitted to the union
as a separate state it must be at the
coming session of congress, and the peo-
pie all over the territory are beginning
to realize this Whether Democrat or Re-
publican, people in all parts Of Oklahoma
who feel that Oklahoma is ready for
statehood and should secure it at once,
and not be held back for several years
and then be taken in with the Indian Ter
ritory realize that something must be
done at the coming session of congress
and are willing to put their shoulders
together and work for Oklahoma's unde-
niable right-statehood.
Both in Oklahoma and in congress the
sentiment was never stronger for state
hood for Oklahoma alone. l believe that
the chances for MsGuire getting the en-
abling act for Oklahoma through con-
gress at the regular session are bright.
but this will not be due to him alone, but
largely TO a changed sentiment among the
Republicans in congress and a strong or
ganization back of him in Oklahoma. The
Republican congressman realize that Ok
lahoma must be taken in at the coming
session or it will be held back for the
Indian Territory, and instead of the Re
pubIicans breaking even when the terri
tories are finally admitted. the Democrats
will have another state with its two
Democratic senators and a majority in
both of the houses so that they can Sc
cure most of the congressman by a ger
rymander" redistricting of the state.
"In Oklahoma, among the Republicans,
there never fas such unanimity. such har-
mony and far-sighted judgment as at the
present time. Almost to man the Re-
publicans are for immediate statehood
for Oklahoma, and not one is pulling
back as there has been in the past.
''AlI see what it would be TO Oklahoma
to be united with the Indian Territory
must be admitted at once To be taken
in with the Indian Territory means the
loss to Oklahoma Of large part of her
magnificent income from her school lands,
sections Is and Sc In each township. The
revenue from the school lands would go
to the states and the Indian Territory
would receive more from Oklahoma's
school lands than Oklahoma herself. The
same would be true of sections IS and 50
in the new countries set apart for public
funds. The legislature dominated by In
dian Territory would locate the buildings
to be erected with this money. Another
injustice to Oklahoma would be in the
mater of taxation. 1t would be fifteen
or twenty years until the Indians, ex-
empted by congress, vii! come under tax
able property, thus throwing the burden
OF taxation on Oklahoma.
These and many other reasons make
it impossible for the two territories TO be
taken in as one state, and the citizens
of Oklahoma, realizing this, will work for
statehood at the coming session OF con-
gress as they never have before. 1t IS
the plan not to let Delegate Mcclure
make the fight single-handed. but to ef-
feet a permanent organization and send
4 lobby to Washington. Myself and a
number of Okiahomans have been in
Guthrie this week for the purpose of MAX
ing preliminary arrangements for the
movement, and all with whom we have
talked are ready to become active men,
bers of the organization and work for
statehood for Oklahoma. With hard
working body in oklahoma and many of
the Republican members OF congress real
izing that Oklahoma must be admitted at
the coming session, Oklahoma has excel
lent chances for securing statehood