The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-09-29
Territorial Politics
Many Aspirauts Waiting for Sena-
torial Lightning 10 Strike
Them.

81 A~'7o h"9 @NNAN~@ f|'ANiN1 ~ AiAAiotA
Territory again and this time the
leaders are in the limelight. Sharp
politicians think they see state
hood in sight and believe that now
is not too soon TO draw cards TO de
termine who can stay in the game
when il comes to a fight in the first
legislature for the United States
Senate.
Republicans are not willing to
concede that the state will be over
whelmingly Democratic whether it
comes in with or without Oklaho-
ma. They figure that they have
gained a big advantage in the
gerrymander of recording districts
which will form counties, and that
there will be Republican votes
enough in the hrstlegislature TO let
them ride into the good Offices.
In-the Republican lineup are
Pliny Soper Of Vinita, the national
committeeman for the Republicans
of the territory; C. B. Douglas Of
Muskogee and Judge Clayton Of
South McAlester. Douglas has
been an avowed candidate for Con
prcss. but the wait has been too
long for him and he has decided
that he can get the big place swell
as the smaller one, if he can get
anything. Judge Clayton is not in
the open, neither is Soper, but they
are both trimming their sails.
AT present Soper has the organi-
zation Of the territory behind him
and may keep il, but Clayton is
Judge of the Central district and
can rally much federal machine
support. Outside the pale and
strong with denials is Tams Bixby,
chairman Of the Dawes commission
Bixby says he wants nc more poll
tics and will not be in the running
but he has made no move that
could hurt his candidacy If he
should ever make up his mind tc
get in. Bixby is conceded to b'
the best organizer in the territory
and has a strong personal follow
ing
The Democrats are not SO SURE
that there Is going 10 be statehood
legislation this winter and they are
not appearing so boldly in the open.
Besides. they are not so sure il
will be two states or one and they
are keeping under cover for such
contingencies. If Senatorial light
ming should come this way would
find 50 many rods up waiting 70 bC
struck. that the field would lool
like a picket fence. The Demo
crats are confident Of bigmajoriiie'
no matter when or how statehood
comes.
In the array Of possibilities
among the Democrats are Mortor
Rutherford. Cliff Jackson and vii
liam 4. Hulchings Of Muskogee
Judge c. b. Stewart Of South Nc
AIcsler, Joseph Thompson Of Pail.
Valley aud w. A. Ledbetler anc
Stillwell II. Russell Of Ardmore
Rutherford aud Jackson have beer
active in politics for some time
But their activity has made then
enemies as well as prominence, th'
same as II has Douglas and Soper
Jackson is general solicitor for th'
Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroa'
in Indian Territory and has tn
power of appointing local attorney
and in these lies his strength.
Judge Stewards one Of the ables
men in the territory and is a hghie
in politics. He is a hammer anS
tongs type, and would doubles
have the Choctaw nation solldll
behind him. Mr.. Ledbetter, Mr.
Russell and Mr.. Thompson ar
from the Chickasaw nation, wher
the big Democratic vote come
from.
1t is OF interest to note that al
of the Democrats mentioned are 10
single statehood except Ruther
ford. and have so committed them
selves, although they are not $
active in the matter now as the
were six months ago. Kuthel
ford has been a consistent separa'