The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-15
Believed. However, That Prohi-
bitionists VIII Lose Fight in
New State.
CONTEST FOR COURT SITES.
Guthrie and MuskOgee Named in
Measure, but Other Cities Are
Fighting for the Plum
Bill May Pass.

Washington. Dec. 1.-THE proposed pro-
h:bition clause in the Statehood bill prob
ably has been wholly beaten by its op-
ponents. despite the support given it by
CHURCH and temperance organizations.
The point arose in the Senate Committee
on Territories to-day and an amendment
for ten years in the new State-to-be Of
Oklahoma. But indications are tonight
that it will be stricken out before a report
Is made; or that. if not. it will be beaten
in the open Senate.
As it stands without amendment. the
sale of liquor to Indians is prohibited. but
not the liquor traffic.
Senator Dick IF Ohio was appointed to
oiay's place on the committee to-day.
His vote creates the majority necessary
to a favorable report. The committee held
another long session to-day. and will get
!oSether again tomorrow. Announcement
Is made by Senator Bevpridg,. that the
bill will be reported before the holiday re-
cess. probably on Friday.
Assuming that the bill will pass. II
which further favorable statements made
Today 10y Senate leaders ARE added guar
antee. the Territories will face a political
situation for which the Republican ex-
citement in Missouri. over an unexpected
'I'lpl tuIllIN In elect senator 10 htrf "a
mild comparison.
Without any experience in elections. so
Tar as the Indian Territory is concerned.
and with little so far as Oklahoma is con-
cerntI' thiS new State will proceed to elect
a fuil complement of State ofticcrs-fve
tonSreSsmen and a legislature which will
choose two Senators. 1t follows that every
man IN either party who longs for political
distinction will begin his campaign at
once, ahu. from the aggressive way in
which citizens of that locality do things. il
may be expected that the campaigns will
De OF Inc very .warmese variety.
In view of this situation. Territory citi-
zens here are busily figuring on more thar
me immediate future. Indian Territory
representatives. sent 10 Washington have
mad q peculiar faculty of disagrceing upon
But this characteristic now obtains only
with respect 10 details of the Hamilton
bill. There Is u~nanimity upon the measure
IN ITS general provisions. They want state
hood. aside from that. the only amend
ment upon which they agree Is one which
Will state directly that mixed schools shall
not he permitted. As il is, the bill Is open
TO an Interpretation that would tolerate
should this go in, it is feared that the leg
islation would not he ratified at tire sub
sequent Constitutional Convention. Feel
ing on the race question is acute through
out the Territories. especially in the area
bordering on Texas.
Delegate Mcclure is the only official
spokesman from either of the Territories.
In addition. however. Dennis Flynn. for
mer Delegate. is here with some IDEAS,
as also are s. T. Bledsoe of Ardmore,
Colonel Sam Powell OF Wagner and
Clarence b. Douglas. editor Of the Mus
kogee Phoenix. They disagree vehement
~ as TO the headquarters for the United
States courts.
In the bin the court for the Western
district, or oklahoma, is placed at Guth-
RE; and that for the Eastern district, or
Indian Territory. at Musllogee. Mr..
Douglas and Mr.. Mcclure want the courts
in these places, but Mr.. Flynn has many
should be At Oklahoma City. In Indian
Territory. Ninita. South McAIester. Ard
more and Chicasha want the court. Mr..
Bledsoe argues At length on behalf of
representatives among Washington lob
bytsts or are sending delegations here in
their interest.
1t is announced. too. thai Senator Clark
of Arkansas, d member of the committee,
supposed that all the Democrats would
oppose TIE measure. This development
seems to make certain its passage.
Important changes in the Hamilton bill
tive sessions, AZ learned tonight, are as
follows:
Roprese ltatior in the Constitutional
Convention 10 be forty-nlne for Indian
dill lltN plIt htitSdteS U ohId-
homa. instead of sixty for the latter and
fifty for the former. This may yet be
r AIDE equal with fifty and fifty.
Indian Territory to have 100000 as a
school fund and Oklahoma lands for that
purpose amounting to s7,50.000 in value.
Tonkwaka University of Oklahoma to
share equally with other schools in the
fund which insures it a foremost place
among the educational Institutions
Word sex" stricken out. with all of
section applying to the suffrage. leaving
only the constitutional provision of the
United States n effect on this question.
Question OF mixed schools not touched.
but left to State to settle.
Congressional representation to remain
as in Hamilton bill-five members. In this
shape the bill will pass the Senate. and
probably the House will have to accept
the changes IN order to get any legisla-
tion.