The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-22
THEME OF
EVERYBODY,
STAT EH00D
Discussing Enabling Act, and
How to Procure 1t.
PRECEDENT IN HISTORY
Warrants Its Passage Now,
and Interest Demands 1t.
PRECEDENT IN HISTORY

eN~A'---17
ed in the securing of an enabling act for
Oklahoma as soon as possible relative to
the advisability of holding convention
during the summer months for the adop-
tion Of a constitution for the future state
OF Oklahoma. 1t is claimed that there IS
"a well established precedent for such a
procedure. and that by the adoption Oh
a constitution by the people residing IN
the future state Will hasten statehood-
Prominent Democrats of the territory
have been talking the constitutional con-
vsntion idea for some time. Ihey nave
not ceased agitating it and there are
number of Republicans in favor Of the
plan These Republicans do not have the
same idea relative to the boundaries OF
the future state as have the Democrats,
but they are anxious for statehood and
willing to do the thing that will bring
about the desired result as soon as posi-
BILE
1t is not improbable that constitution
nj convention viii be called some time
during the summer at the instigation of
Democrats. If others viii not participate
the Democrats will take up the constitu-
tional end Of the string and attempt TO
make a showing when congress conVenes
that viii have some effect in bringing
statehood During the last session Of the
legislature a bill was introduced in the
lower house by Matthews of Payne pro-
viding for a constitutional convention to
be called by the governor. The measure
provided for a representation from the
Indian nations. to be controlled by the
delegates from Oklahoma. 1t also provid-
. H. Iv,,7s IT, sffeYs,
as cared to be admitted as a part Of the
future state should say 50 by voting to
adopt the constitution when submitted to
the people. If certain Indian nations do
not desire to become part Of the future
state their vote on the constitution would
indicate it. This bill failed TO get out Of
the house, there being thirteen votes for
Il and thirteen votes against it. 1t was
not a party measure, as some Republi
cans voted with the Democrats and some
Democrats with the Republicans.
1t is claimed that by adopting a consti-
tuition statehood will be FASTENED, and
possibly such would be the case. Henry
Il. Howard Of Oklahoma City. one of the
well known Republican attorneys Of Ok
lahoma, has given out his ideas along this
line, as follows:
IF we assume that an enabling act
will be passed, the chances are il viii be
late in the session. The session viii last
far into the summer. and the history Of
such matters discloses that in every in
stance, except upon special occasions, ac-
tion has been deferred. The enabling act
for the Dakotas was passed February 20.
and the best they could do was to get the
final proclamation on November ,. Action
as to Wyoming was deferred until July
10. In the admission of the older states
1t has seldom happened that action has
been taken before March, as the follow
ing will show: Vermont March &; Ken
lucky and Tennessee, June l; Ohio and
Louisiana, April 30; Illinois and Indiana,
April IS and -; Mississippi and Alabama,
March 1 and >; Florida March. 5; Maine
March IS: Arkansas and Michigan. June
Is; Wisconsin, August 8; California. Sep
tember 9; Minnesota and Nevada. May II
and p. And unless the enabling act is
passed as early as February it will be
difficult if not impossible to complete
the work 10y election day. and we viii
wait four years mors to become active
citizens of the United States
can anything be done to hasten it?''
During the territorial campaign last
fall the local Democracy declared in
favor Of proposition which meant that
the Democrats in congress must change
their attitude. We al know how well
they succeeded. There is a conflict Of
views between the parties in the terri
tory and congress. The Democrats in Ok
lahoma are for one thing and the Demo-
Gratis in Kansas for another. This. taken
with ha -.
deferred in any case. renders it unlikely
that action viii be taken early. If at all
next session. And those who are for the
one thing and those for the other equally
claim to be rejecting the sentiment Of
the people down here Now If we could
DO something To clearly indicate the SEN
timent of the two territories it might
help the matter along
How can we show what the sentiment
is"
Il would favor calling convention aud
inviting both territories 20 particfpate
and without Indicating whether we favor
4 state including both or not And sub
nit TO This convention "a proposition to
call an election Of delegates To "a constitu-
tional convention. and invite every part
of the Indian Territory 10 choose dele
t"tNH- II sAt+1 taAA hA II refuses We NAV
assume that they are unwilling to come
IN and should be left out. at least for the
present Form a constitution for tho peo-
PIE who participate and u this extent
there VIII remain no question as 10 their
willingness.
This is not all that may be gained by
proceeding in this way. When con-
Ercss is ready to act ii viii just as read
Fly admit Us on a constitution already
framed as authorize as 10 FORM one. and
We win be IN the Union at the time We
otherwise would be authorized to get
ready 10 come in
who would can constitutional con
vention?"
The governor OF Oklahoma should be
invited 10 do SO. but the committee should
b. fully authorized 10 act. and If he shall
refuse. the committee could issue the
call"
Would both political parties particI-
pate in the movement"
i think 50. There are too naanv pre-
cedents for such a movement to say that
IL would amount II nothing. Ii has
brought statehood more than once after
long waiting for an enabling act. Ana
OH party coQld not afford TO sit stan ard
allow the other TO have its own way
about the matter. If We frame a fair and
reasonable constitution. congress VIII rot
force as 10 form another. and there is lit
Tie danger that one party VII stand by
and see the other dc il in its own way;
for a. The same time the constitution is
ratified state officers and representatives.
In congress VIII be chosen. Politicians
viii not let it so by default. and aa act