The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-25
NEELEY HAS
DECIDED
OPINIONS
Statehood in Any Form Brings
lis Responsibilities
CONSTITUTION THE THING
Care Must Be Taken That
GrafterS Don't Control
CONSTITUTION THE THING

against the holding of such a convention.
Mr.. Neeley says as follows:
Among the discussion OF the single
statehood constitutional convention propo-
sition now agitating the people Of the
two territories it behooves all good citi-
zens 10 exercise the greatest care and
utmost good judgment
In the consideration of this matter we
are confronted with the fact that there
are four different solutions proposed. each
of which has its own set of adherents.
representing as many interests and con-
ditions
First, there is one class of people ia
voring the admission of Oklahoma and
the Indian Territory into the federal
union under one form of government and
the holding of a constitutional convention
for the purpose of organizing that govern
ment.
Second, those favoring the admission of
Oklahoma as a state and the addition of
the Indian Territory at some future time.
Third, those favoring the admission of
Oklahoma alone.
Fourth. those who are satisfied with
conditions as they are and are willing to
remain a territory until some future time.
no one knows when.
The majority of our citizens are uu-
doubtedly in favor of some kind of state
hood. and the question has long since
resolved itself into When and what
kind of statehood do a majority of the
people of Oklahoma desire, and what
particular brand will best conserve their
interests?''
In the beginning submit that the per-
SONS who are engaged in agitating this
matter do so either from an individual
or a community interest. That interest
may best be judged from the fact that
the originators of the scheme. those who
did the most OF the spelling" and the
ceeded in having themselves interview
ed by the papers Of the territory as be-
ing in favor of a constitutional conven-
ton, were either The paid agents of rail-
road corporations or scheming politicians
who sought the free advertisement incl
dent TO the holding of a convention of
that kind to further their own schemes,
conceived at the expense of the new state
that is to be. There are several of that
same crowd who now pose as apostles of
the constitutional convention idea and
seek but an opportunity TO do their mas
ter's bidding.
Corrorations are the creations of law,
and as such they and their interests are
secondary to the interests of the people
who created the law. True it is that they
are entitled to the protection of the law.
I - h.. no ma
chinst?
It is a fact recognized by all thinking
men that the interests of any man or set
of men is subordinate to the collective
interests Of the people OF a community or
a state. If that be a fact, how can the
people OF this territory sit idly by and
see a set of fellows like that even at
terapt TO dictate the policy of the new
state?
This is an opportunity that comes to
few men but once, and upon the proper
exercise of your rights now depend the
maintenance and reputation of democratic
Institutions.
VIII you have the startling spectacle of
a state like New Jersey owned body and
soul by the corporations? VIII YOU lay
of a Missouri legislature? VIII you have
in Oklahoma the infamous reign OF an
other Tweed ring?" or viii you assert
your rights, be men. take the reins in
your hands and direct the 'coaeh Of state
Alright?
What individual without an axe TO grind
can afford to be delegate to a conven-
tion where he must spend from two 70 six
months OF valuable time and from 500
TO 81 .501 in money with the poor prospect
of ever being reimbursed for either at
the hands OF the people. and in the face
of the precedents establishd by congress
in dealing with those western states that
have heretofore tried to experiment?
Of our past record we are not ashamed.
Fifteen years ago wild wilderness where
the Wild Indian and often wilder cowboy
roaned at their own sweet viii. with no
assessed property and but one eduea-
tionaI institution With nthe boundaries Of
the territory Today We have popula-
ton OF over ecoco people; with a property
valuation Of over SSD90lo.G0: with I'VE
institutions Of higher learning endowed oy
the territory: with private institutions OF
iesfnIug and public high schools IN al
most every county. we outrark many of
the eastern states and are the peer y any
state in the American union
-he congress OF the United States sits
ia jadgment upon the nse6s of ouT peo-
.tc After the most enthusiastic state
hood campaign ever conducted In any -eT-
riiory our prayer vas denied and or
ecovs returned home empty handed
What right have ne 20 believe that X
our arguments have failed 70 convince
our trends OF the Tigh,eousness q ou-
cause thar Ne can secure their support
and adherence - a defarce q thelr ~
tho-.is
Nc individual or re0pie ever sccur-d
th.. sU10o-t % a railing poser hy tie
rrr-7uleatiou II a defiant demand. but
rather let IS bise ctr tire and Whea
congress SHAN meet submit cur claims
to thar great mentor q the American
usarle trusting n the purity g our
ofttzr-<hsp and better qualifying ourselves
for the assumption o. those ob.lEatiogs
that are the accozpsnir- % fhe regal
-ouer of stateh hood. that n the end Ne
nav u-sonuiEste 70 the pso73e. guarantee
i-- equal rights 20 al and special priv
flsres e none. Very truiy.
LOST his NAME