The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-19
TO CONSIDER
STATEHOOD
Garfield County Republicans
Hold a Meeting.
ENTHUSIASM PREVAILS
Many Earnest Speeches Indl-
cate Party Sentiment

Enid. O. T, Dec. 1s.-The Republican
central committee of Garfield county, Ok
lahoma, met in called session in this
city today. The meeting was en-
thusiastic demonstration of Republican
spirit. loyalty to the platform of the
party. and was attended by the entire
membership of the committee The OBJ
5ect of the meeting was to consider the
Mcclure statehood bill and take such
action as demanded necessary to further
its passage
NJ. c. CARRIER. Harry Horner, I. G. Conk-
King, w. o. Cromwell and other Re-
publicans addressed the meeting
Judge Conkling said in substance, that
the Republican party was united in its
desire for statehood; that the bill fer
mulated and introduced by MIR. Mcclure
simply carried out the will of the party
as expressed by resolutions in former
Repub,t tcan conventions; that Mr. Mcclure
should have the loyal support OF an
united party: that every effort should be
used TO assist him in his efforts TO Sc
-cLre its passage; that he believed the
provisions contained in this bill are for
the benefit of the people generally ard
reflected credit upon Mr.. McGuire's state
Iranship.
Judge Carter said in part: This is an
epoch making period in the history of
Oklahoma. The day and hour has ar
lfed for the le9ions of the Republican
party in the territory to mass their re-
srective organizations in solid phalanxes
eitiiUut division or dissenticn in support
of the rights of American citizenship
embodied in the Mcclure statehood BILL
''Tn's measure framed by its able ad
vocatc TO meet the conditions and the
wants or orr people should, without
dissenting voice or vote receive the unani-
NOUS support OF every loyal Republican
1T IS emphatically a measure that has
received the sanction and approval of
convention OF delegates, authorized to ex-
press, declare and announce the policy of
the Republican party in the territory. net
only the policy of the Republican party
in the territory, but the nation at large
during the last six years.
Certain provisions of the measure have
created a discussion and some criticism
from certain quarters, but at this critical
time when the hour is freighiad with
great possibilities, he who creates DIS
sention over minor details and provi-
sions, is certainly not imbued with that
intense spirit of Republicanism that has
kept the fires burning all these past years
Of the past
Personal grievances and differences of
opinion are not Republican policies. They
are Democrat characteristics accomplish
ing nothing in the history of the ma
toin.
The mandate of the Republican party
expressed through its organization is en-
bodied IN the present statehood measure
and he who at this time opposes by ad-
verss criticism. in my judgement is act
Ing with the enemQ and should be class
ed as such
Mr Cromwell stated that the Mcclure
bill complete in every detail: "It is
wise. just and patriotic. Is the lessee
is not entitled to the preference right,
who is? If the legislature of Oklahoma
fs not the proper tribunal TO pass upcn
the deposition of our school lands. what
is?" said Mr. Cromwell amid burst Of
enthusiasm of the people.
Mr.. Horner stated that this was not
the time fer any division Of sentiment
among Republicans regarding any clause
OF the bill; that the people of oklahoma
were only interested in the immediate
passage of the bin and any criticisms
would only have the eeect OF retarding
its passage.
Numerous other Republicans spoke
along the same line With a unanimity of
opinion that the Mcclure statehood bill
met their unqualified support and
presented the wishes of the Republican
party and people Of Garfield county as
whole.
After a thorough discussion in which
not a dissenting voice was raised to
single clause in the BILL il was the unani-
nous sense Of the meeting that the Nc
Gurie statehood bill be and is endorsed
by the Republicans of Garveld county
by their selected representatives in the
following resolution:
THAT we heartily endorse the state
hood bin introduced in congress by Hon.
+. s. Mcclure. congressman from Ok
lahoma and commend him fir the wise
and equitable provisions contained there
IN and for the careful and consiierate
manner in which he has protected the
rights of all the people OF Oklahoma We
hereby tender and pledge to Our Dele
gate in Congress our loyal and unyield-
ing support in his efforts to pass the
bill at this session OF congress"
L y. HOUSTON. Chairman"
-. s. SHOEMAKER. Secretary
After the passage of the resolution the
meeting. which was attended by hundreds
OF Republicans. not members Of the COM
mittee. witnessed a dramatic scene of
party enthusiasm unparalleled in. tho
history OF the county. the unanimous
expression being that oklahoma IS en-
titled TO immediate statehood and the Nc
Cuire bill expresses the ideas and wishes
OF oklahoma people II was n Repubii-
can love feast and 4 magnificent en-
dorsemont of Delegate Mcclure
II is understood that every county will
hold like conventions in the near future.
There is an intensity OF interest in the
statehood question ali over the territory.