The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-20
ANOTHER
PLAN FOR
STATEHOOD
Oklahoma Republicans Pre-
sent Plan of Action
APPEAL TO DELEGATE
Would Have Certain Nations
Annexed to State

Oklahoma City, 0. I, June 19-Republi-
cans Of this city and county viii prevail
upon Delegate Bird 5. MCGUIRE to incor-
y,orate in the Oklahoma statehood bill
q provision for the annexation Of the
CreeA and Seminole Indian nations to the
lluture state. It is believed by the Re-
pubIicans who viii urge such action upon
uhe part Of Delegate Mcclure that It
-giu be followed by immediate congress
5ional action. resulting in immediate
Hatehood for Oklahoma, with posi-
i5iity Of d union Of the two territories.
A meeting of the prominent Republi-
Nsns has been held il this city and a
declaration OF immediate statehood for
Oklahoma was made. The statehood
question was considered IN all its phases
und the following statement and reso-
l5Ition was drafted by a committee ap-
aoruted for tbat purpose:
1T is our belief and earnest hope, as
Republicans and oitizeHs, that final
union Of the TWO territories as one state
S not only the one necessary condition
OF the future welfare and greatness Of
both sections. but also that such union
anS single statehood is their certain and
final destiny
''XEe favored the passage Of the Flynn
bill in the hope and expectation that its
: passage would secure immediate state
hood for Oklahoma and the annexation
thereto Of the countries of the five tribes.
we believe that. with the exception
impatient and weary Of present eondi-
tionss and who Tor that reason are anx-
ious for statehood on any terms, the great
mass Of the people Of both territories are
in favor Of single statehood as the final
result Of national legislative action. Our
views have not changed with the failure
OF The Flynn bill, but we have bectme
convinced hy .he action Of congress in
its treatment Of that bill. that il is not
the purpose Of the Republicans in con-
gross TO confer what they consider might
possibly result IN separate statehood for
Oklahoma.
"On the other hand, it is apparent that
the Democrats. both of the national house
and senate. We're unanimous in their de-
sire to make separate states in Oklahoma
we believe the vast majority Of the
people Of both sections is opposed TO the
Democratic congressional program. In
cur opinion a majority even of the Dem
ocrats Of the two territories is opposed
T. the separate statehood scheme Of the
Democrats in congress
1T is clear that the dominant party
fn congress viii never. create "a state with
the boundaries of the present territory Of
oklahoma for the reason that the Gre
alton of such state might raise an
almost iusuperablc barrier to future union
of the two territories. It would result
i'm delegation OF senators and represen-
tatives In congress. who for personal and
political reasons. would naturally oppose
the acquisition Of any Of the territory Of
the i've tribes. In our opinion. il would
also result ~ strengthening. immeasur-
ably, the hands of the officials. both tri-
hal and federal. in Indian territory. who
are and always have been bitterly op-
posed 10 single statehood. present Of
prospective.
This. we believe, is the view of the stu
alton, rs it appeared to the Republican
majority i'm the United States senate
during the last session Of congress. It
IS the reason why the Republican ma
jority in congress viii not give us early
statehood for Oklahoma alone. or for
Oklahoma and indian territory as an
entirety united
Before We can hope for statehood some
arrangement must be made by which
we cau not only obtain early statehood.
but by which n eual union Of oklahoma
and the territory of the five tribes will be.
assured.
1t is extremely desirable that statehood
be granted at once. hut the prospect is not
at all reassur.ng. Political ambitions and
conflicting interests Of SECTIONS is likely
70 cause long delay Yet may We not
hope for an early solution Of the prob
lem?
The territories OF the FIVE tribes is not
an organized territory of the United
States, nor IS it ever likely TO be such
a territory.
on the other hand. Oklahoma is an or
Eauizod territory. and, by the express
terms of its organic act. its boundaries
may De enlarged at any time by procla-
nation of tine president. by the adlnis-
sion cf lands Of enc or more Of the five
tribes Rut st is urged by some Of the
advocates 81 separate statehood that the
five tribes are not ready for union or for
statehood aud mas not be ready for
Sears % come. This is the opinion Of
Secretary Hitchcock hut the secretary
freely admits that one or more OF those
tribes notably the Creeks and Semi
noles, are ready for statehood.
This being undoubtedly the case. why
should not Jhe Republicans. why should
not the people OF Oklahoma. all Of whom
desire early statehood. urge upon con-
Eress thtt Immediate statehood he sivcn
C. state composed Of what is now
Oklahoma EcL the Creek CounTy2
Such union. such state. created at
the earliest possible moment. would pa;
EgEyy = 8 sss y 49,.