The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-06-25

Editor 0klahoman:
| am in receipt Of your favor
OF the Gath ullimo asking me for
my views as to whether or not
the single state convention called
to meet at Shawnee the early
part Of this month should call a
constitutional convention for the
future slate to be formed out OF
the Indian and Oklahoma Terri.
tories. l have been away from
my Office most OF the time since
its receipt or | would have re-
piled at an earlier date.
Under the conditions that exist
In this country today, do not
believe that this course will
expedite matters to any great
extent, but am inclined 10 the
view that il would tend to create
possible differences aud dissen-
tions amongst ihose who under
existing conditions are willing to
do all they can to secure state.
hood at the very earliest moment,
and take thei hancea on having
the future state adopt policies in
accordance with their individual
ideas.
/ believe that the great mass Of
the people Of the two Territories
who do not expect to hold politi-
cal Offices, are in favor OF one
state for the two, but these are
the people whom 1t Is always
hardest to get to take any interest
in affairs Of this kind. There are
a great many people in this terri-
tory who are ia favor Of a separate
state for it independent Of Okla.
homa. aud are willing to support
any measure or movement that
will give them any hope Of
ultimately attaining that end, and
they will do sill that they can to
SOW seeds oil disoorG among the
followers of a movement for a
constitutional convention, as we'll
as do all they can to thwart the
adoption Of a constitution after IL
is formed.
Ny own judgment is that
politics and seotionalism have
both definitely and finally deter
mined that ultimately there shall
be only one state for these two
territories, and the only practical
thing for us to do is to bring
about an early creation OF a state
government, out Of which will
grow settled conditions absolutely
necessary to the full development
of the wonderful resources OF this
country.
The question Of statehood in
any form is not 80 much discussed
In this section OF the country as IL
was when Congress was In session
and the danger growing out Of the
omnibus bill seemed about to
engulf us. Our farmers and our
merchants are all busy now, but
in the winter when Congress cou-
venes again and the statehood
Legislation is introduced into the
Senate and House az II will be,
aud the partisans 10 the moys.
ment to absorb into the state OF
Oklahoma portions Of the Indian
Territory from time to lime, be.
come active our people will be.
come aroused al the attempt to
force upon them this vicious
legislation, and then we will have
no trouble In having one or more
conventions which will be a
repetition Of the last 0klahoma
City single statehood convention.
| think that We should continue
to agitate the question, but do not
think that We should attempt TO
hold constitutional convention
till authorized to do 20 by Con.
gress.
The FIVE tribe country must
have statehood and have Il at
once TO enable US to improve our
owns and cities aud get school
facilities throughout our territory
aid bring to us the great possibil.
ilies which would be ours under