Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-04-09
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Statehood and Other Political Mat
tiers Interesting the Citizens.
WHAT A SOUTH M'lLESTER NAN SAYS
The Indian Citissps Of tho Territory IMAM
imous in Their Desire for separate
ststehood-Rel Expected by
Next Congress.

! hhhouD NASJS AAcy ~%P@H
Genung, president of the First ma
tional bank Of South McAlester, /
T., and Of the Commercial club OF
that city, as well as chief deputy
marshal for the central district Of
the Indian territory, was in the city
few hours yesterday. He has just
closed term of court at Poteau and
is preparing to open court at An
tiers, Monday.
'"rhe Indian territory Is develop
ing all right" said Mr.. Genung, but
the people are taking deep inter-
est in politics at this early period in
the situation. Statehood and the Sc
lection of national committeeman
are the paramount topics Of interest
just now, despite the fact that con-
gress is distant and that conven-
ton for selection OF delegates to
the national convention is fully
year in the future.
Another thing that is Of vital i'm
portance to the people of the In
dian territory is the form Of govern
ment that is to be given them and
the date when it will be granted.
The Indian territory has been in a
mood to compromise on almost any
thing for some time, but the failure
to make a compromise has strength
ened the belief that the way out Is
to act on its own account for ter
ritorial form of government for the
Indian territory alone looking to
separate statehood in the future.
"The Indian citizens of the terri
tory are almost unanimous in their
desire for separate statehood. They
argue that the country that is theirs
should be made state that will be
their state, that it has the resources,
the population and the wealth, and
is entitled to the distinction of be-
ing an Indian state on account of the
progress of the Indians since their
removal to that section. The senti-
ment of the Indians extends to whites
as well, and there are few single
statehood advocates in the Indian
country save those who are of that
sort, because they think it means
earlier statehood.
POLITICALLY the character of state
hood makes the difference of choice
between two or four democrats in
the senate. One state of the two
territories would mean two demo-
Gratis in the senate. Two states
would mean four. That Is the posi-
ton at this time. It is true that suf-
ficient republicans might be settled
in the two territories to make one
republican state. It is equally true
that they might be settled in either
Of the territories to make 1t q re-
publican state. But that is mat
ter that is problematical. At this
time there is big normal democrat
c majority in each territory.
"Action will be taken before the
next congress looking to self-govern-
ment of some sort for the Indian ter
ritory. Conditions there are now
taking shape to make this possible |
and deserved. I believe 1t is the in
IGNITION of congress to grant relief
1t the next session. The recent re-
,ording law and the establishment
If recording districts that will make
,ery good counties is a step toward
his. 1t seems probable that the II
owns named for recording places,
he court towns of the present, will
become county seats in the future"