The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-10
TALKS OF
STATEHOOD
SITUATION
H. E. Ravens, in Enid Eagle
Gives Views
MORE FAVORABLE LIGHT
Says That Single StatehoodS
are Alarmed
MORE FAVORABLE LIGHT


writing for the editorial page of the Enid
Eagle. proceeds to show up the advo-
Gates of single statehood and tells why
they are becoming alarmed and desire
a constitutional convention. He says:
"That the advocates of single statehood
are much alarmed over the statehood
situation is evidenced by their despera-
tion in undertaking TO forestan regular
and lawful methods by the holding OF
an unauthorized constitutional conven-
ton outside of law; and by their noise
and buster in proclaiming that the de-
feat Of the omnibus bill settled the state
hood question in favor of single state
hood. If by persistent elamor they
could cinvince the Republicans Of the
territory that there is no hope for indie
pendent statehood for Oklahoma, and in
duce them TO lay down they could have
a hope of winning. And really this is
the only chance they have. They cannot
accomplish anything through a rump
convention.
sgThe prospects for statehood for Okla
hema alone were never before half so
good as they are now, and the bluff
being put up by the single statehood
Democrats indicates that they recognize
the fact.
'sThe discussions in the senate while
the omnibus bill was pending placed
Oklahoma before congress in a far more
favorable light than she had ever occu-
pied before. In all the elements neces-
20 ctn
fitness was so fully demonstrated that
her claims to admission were generally
conceded-even by senators who were
most strongly opposed TO the omnibus
bill One Of the arguments against that
bill was made by contrasting the wealth,
population, resources and general de-
velopment of Oklahoma with the other
territories with which she was Joined
in the bill. And it was generally recog-
nizad and agreed that il Oklahoma could
have been separated from the other ter
ritories she would have been admitted
with but little opposition.
prior TO the evelopment brought out
by the discussion of the omnibus bin
Oklahoma had attracted little attention
Of members of congress and was little
Known by them. And she was supposed
TO be too weak to make a state without
the support of the Indian Territory. That
delusion was effectualIy removed. And
Oklahoma was showered with praises for
her wonderful progress and develop
ments by senators who would gladly
have voted for her admission but for her
association with New Mexico and Ari
IONA. The facts were revelation to
them. and gave Oklahoma "A standing
which she could not have otherwise at
tanned.
1T is not true as claimed by the single
Statehood Democrats, that the omnibus
bin failed because it did not provide for
single statehood. Practically the only
argument made against the bill was the
lack Of qualifications on the part of New
Mexico and Arizona. 1t was upon this
issue that the fight was made. The In
dian Territory feature had very little, if
anything, to do with determining the
attitude of senators. In fact it was not
even mentioned by more than two of
them. Senator Beveridge gave it some
prominence. But heswas determined that
New Mexico and Arizona should not be
admitted. His chief objection to the bill
territories, and he used every available
argument that could affect the issue
He did not question the fitness Of Okla
homt, and it is not probable that he
would have been tenacious if he had
no other objection 10 the bin than its
failure 10. provide for single statehood
There is therefore. nothing whatever
in the fate of the omnibus bin to Justify
the assumption that statehood for Okla
homa was repudiated or even questioned.
The following. also, are facts that can
not be disputed:
Not solitary member of either house
Of congress has ever declared or indicat-
ed that he would make single statehood
a condition upon which he would vote
10 admit Oklahoma.
Not a dozen members Of congress
have ever in any public way declared or
indicated that they regarded a union Of
the two territories as even a desirable
condition Of statehood. Beveridee Mel
son and Plat have SO declared and n
few others may entertain the same view.
bat not one OF them has made that pref
erence condition of his vote. And in
any case their number IS too small to
affect results.
The house Of representatives passed
the hin giving Oklahoma independent
statehood almost unanimously. only re-
serving TO congress- the right to attach
The Indian Territory in the future if it
should be desirable to do so.
The senate would have passed the
same bill by good majority if a vote
could have been had; and this notwfth
standing the objections to New Mexico
and Arizona. If the latter territories
could have been eliminated there would
not have been a dozen votes against the
elll-prohably not one except that o.. Till
man; and his objection was because the
Indian Territory was included at an.
even IS a possible future attachment.
Nothing has occurred since the a6-
tournament Of congress to Indicate any
change Of opinion among members Of
congress on the subject.
There is therefore not a shadow 81
ground for the assumption that the fall
ure 10 obtain vote on the omnibus b5n
r. the senate means anything even
touching the question Of single state
hood. On the contrary everything rhat
was done and said in Connection with
that bill shows plainly that Oklahoma
was mace stronger and not weaker tv II.
And she was strong enough then 10
have won overw helmingly but for the
htndraace OF ether territories. That
strength has not been lost sincee the ad-
tournment Of congress. and il viii be
rnauffeSf when congress v,as.s ae,g,