The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-07
Democrats of Oklahoma Are Con-
Quoting Vigorous Campaign
for Their Scheme.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE CALL
Eight Hundred Delegates to Meet
at Shawnee to Decide on Prac-
ticability of Holding Con
stitutional Convention.

| REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Guthrie. Ok. June S.-The Democrats OF
Oklahoma made their last campaign on the
single statehood platform-the union of Ok
lahoma and Indian Territory as one State
and they see no reason now for abandoning
that course. During this month conven-
ton OF 500 delegates, selected from all parts
of the two Territories, will meet at Shaw
nee, Ok, to decide upon the practicability
OF Constitutional Convention. This will
be the greatest statehood meeting in the
history Of Oklahoma.
The usefulness of a Constitutional Con-
rention In promoting carly statehood Is
questioned by many sincere advocates OF
single statehood. II there should be an af-
| firmative decision by the Shawnee Conven-
ton, it is proposed that the statehood off,
GERS shall prescribe working plan for the
Constitutional Convention, the purpose be-
Ing to hold it before the next session OF
Congress, when demand for statehood will
then be made.
tary Hitchcock Of the Interior Department.
the Republicans Of the Territory, or the
great majority OF them, favor separate
statehood for Oklahoma. There are many
statehood and who will work and vote for it
If an opportunity is given.
HITCHCOCK CRITICISED.
As Cabinet official. Mr.. Hitchcock 8
words carried certain weight until they
were placed beside the well-known prefer
ences of President Roosevelt for single
statehood as means of restraining the
from interfering in national affairs by send
Ing two delegations of Senators and Con-
gressmen to Washington.
In declaring for separate statehood for the
n fsy.;ae Cos oil tty,,4 atprx
Hitchcock is believed to have Increased local
solution Of the statehood problem. The
not praise Secretary Hitchcock for what is
called by them his unnecessary utterances
and interference. His position is a posi-
tive reversal of the last campaign platform
Of the Republican party of Oklahoma. which
provided for ultimate single statehood The
Flynn bill, or omnibus measure. also pro-
Vided for ultimate single statehood.
opinions are controlled by their desire for
offices. mis:ook Secretary Eitchcock's ut
terances for inspired prophesies. and. after
question. have nerved themselves to shout
for separate statehood. Should Secretary
Hitchcock declare that he has changed his
hood, the same politicians would make am
other run and fall into the single statehood
Indian Territory politicians are in closer
touch with Washington than their Okla
homa brethren. and have shown less IN
chnation to be stampeded by Secretary
Hitchcocks statements.
STRENGTH OF OPPOSITION.
Separate statehood owes its strength to
three causes-Ofice-holding politicians, fear
ing change in the conditions in either
Territory; conservative Indian citizenshin
whose national pride has devoted its mem
bers to the erection Of a State by the IN
dian. and for the Indian: and sectional jeal-
ana political prestige, should certain sec
ti2ns be left on the outskirts Of a big State