The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-06-06
STATEHOOD AND THE DUR
ANT CONVENTION.

occasion 10 commend the Indian
Territory democrats who look with
disfavor upon the Statehood ques-
ton being raised in the Durant
convention. The fact that the
State Capital has always been
noted for the kindly interest it has
taken in the welfare Of the demo
cratic party as well as for its friend
" sentiments toward Indian Terri
tory, entities it TO be heard with
great respect on this question.
According to this able adviser ii
IS the duty Of democrats in the two
territories to let the statehood ques-
ton alone; that question is one for
the republi cans TO settle. The State
Capital along with other republi-
can leaders in Oklahoma having
found itself perforce in the single
statehood band wagon, it becomes
the pious duty of the democrats in
both territories to climb down and
allow these new converts to appro-
rriatelhe whole thingtothemselves.
Very amusing, isn'tit2
Great solicitude is manifested by
the State Capital lest the statehood
question raise a "ruction" in the
Durant convention and also lest
the democrats Of the territory put
themselves in a convenient attitude
to be sat down upon by the demo
Gratis IN national convention. i IS
regretable that some Of the demo-
cratic papers OF the territory feel
called upon TO coincide with views
coming from this eminent republi-
can authority. II must be highly
gratifying to republican leaders.
The EXPRESS has held that the
Durant convention should declare
unequivocally for single statehood
One OF our ablest democratic ex-
changes thinks that the efforts
being made in certain quarters, and
which seems TO be giving so much
satisfaction to our republican friends
TO get up a row in the Durant con-
ventiOn over the statehood ques-
tion is entirely uncalled for, and is
not intended 10 the interest Of any
form Of statehood, but to create
friction, with the hope of fostering
the political ambitions Of those back
Of the move.
1t would seem from the State
Capital 5 remarks that the efforts TO
keep down the statehood question
is affording 10 little satisfaction to
our republican friends.
One Of the unanswerable argn-
ments in any political discussion is
to charge your opponent with be-
ing actuate1 III his advocacy Of
certain policies By selfish ambition.
Little weight however, sheuld at
tach TO this argument when il is
used against a democrat. It j. well
known that the itch for political
preferment and the app,-
tite for pie form no part Of the
makeup Of the average democrat
As far as the EXPRESS is concerned
there are no political ambitions
back of this move" We did want
10 be president but since Hearst,
Parker ct al have monopolized the
field. we have resigned the posi-
bility Of egtering even the ffavorite
son class. Neither has the Ex-
PRESS any desire - create a rupture
in the Durant conyention. 1t has
advocated the sending Of a strong
single statehood delegation TO ST.
o,,ie f.srause II believed the high
est interests Of the territory Dc
manded j. Believing that the un-
ion Of dle two territories is best for
the ultimate interests Of boih and
that the prospects Of Indian Tefsi
tory attaining speedy relief from.
present intolerable conditions are
best along the single statehood line
the EXPRESS could not do other
wise than pursue the counc it has
taken. Il has believed thai the
democrats Of the territory. should
make a,strenuous effort 10 further
the cause Of statehood by having
their views incorporated in the ma
lional platform. II comedies that
there is a strong sentiment among
the leaders Of the natio1ai democ-
racy for Two STATES, but it believes