The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-05-04
Problem That Will Never
be Settled Until Settled
Right

aDilnA ACT are utluB tApitoHeu ue CN
lahoma people
"The question of statehood for the
territories IS one of those grave po-
litical problems that will never be set
tied until 1t is settled right" said Col.
Roy V. Hoffman, ~ Chandler, one of
the stalwart Democratic leaders OF
the east side. And in our case it
will never be rightly settled until the
people of Oklahoma and the Indian
territory join hands in earnest and
ask congress to create Of the two a
magnificent state under conditions
which will allow all sections of the
new commonwealth to share equally
in the location of the state institu-
tions and to enjoy without discrim-
inaticn the generous policy of the fed
eral government in making for every
new state princely endowment in
money and public lands for universi-
ties. colleges and public schools. Alb
solute fairness and equity according
to population in the apporptionment
of delegates to a constitutional con
vention, and a spirit of concession and
fair play between all sections will re
suit in the almost immediate abroga-
ton Of former boundaries and the
permanent and happy union of more
than a million enterprisiug and ener-
getic empire builders The failure
a.. l.sn f., 10
gress was not the fault Of Oklahoma
or the Indian territory, but it should
be accepted as the unalterable decree
of the conservative states of the union
that no more states or sparse and
migratory population, limited area.
and undeveloped resources can be ad-
mitted to the sisterhood Of states.
This defeat of measure that en-
braced the interests'and hopes of the
people of four territories and rallied
to it's support, not only a united min
ority party. but the able representa-.
tives of powerful corporate interests
from every section. was as complete
as It was spectacular. and il marks
the political overthrow of one Re
publican dynasty in Oklahoma and
the rise OF a new one, among whose
leaders may be found some Of the
staunchest single statehood cham
pions of the past
The result of this. in my judg-
ment, will be to take the question Of
statehood out of politics and to enite
the people Of Oklahoma in ASKING Of
khe new congress a union Of the two
territories in one single state.
Il notice in this connection that a
movement is already being agtated
for the calling of a constitutional con
veption by the people Of the two ter.
ritores and the submission to con
gress next winter for ratification of a
state constitution. This movement
has my unqualified Endorsement, foI
it will not only hasten the fulfllment
OF our hopes for one great state, but
will put out of the question any furth
er factional attempts to organize po
litical boroughs, Indian states" etc
The call should emanate from the OK
ecutive committee of the single state
hood organization OF the two terri
tories which has done so much Will
the aid of the single statehood press
10 educate the people and promote
harmony and concord between the
sections.
"The lodges. churches. Commercial
bodies and financial institutions tha
already embrace both territories in
single Jurisdiction will be reliable
factors in awakening interest an
cementing all localities. No politica
campaign will be in progress. and az
peals to partisan prejudice viii b
neither timely nor profitable
The appeal TO congress Of an ol
ganized state through it's legally elec
ed provisional officers is neither a
experiment nor an innovation se'
en- states of the union have been al
mitted in similar manner Perhap
the most notable precedent in this ~
spect was the admission of California
President Zachariah Taylor. in hi
first message TO congress. expresse
his sympathy with the Californian
ana advised the formation of stat
government preparatory to admissio
into the uion. The people Of Cal
fornia promptly accepted the su
gestt5n, and convention Of delegate
was held at Monterey in Septemb'
Of 1s49 A constitution prohibitir
slavery was framed, submitted to u
people, and adopted with but lit