The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-13
M'NEAL REPLIES
TO STATEMENT
Declares That Oklahoma Re-
pubIicans Haven't Changed,
He QUOTES THE RECORD
His Own Attitude and That of
Party Are Consistent

Guthrie. o. T., March u.
Wichita Eagle Wichita, Kansas.
Gentlemen:-Your issue of Thursday
heads an item on the Oklahoma page
'McNeal Changes Views" If there was
nothing more in this than what McNeal
might think, it would not be worthy of
q reply, but the article indicates that
the Republican party in Oklahoma is
rapidly changing its views Such IS not
the case. If my memory serves me cor
rectly, the only absolutely single state
hood bill which had no reference what
ever to the Indian reservations was in
troduced by that reconstructed De1nocra-
tic hero, Joe Wheeler of Alabama. L
think every bill introduced by Delegate
Flynn had provisO agreeing to the adj
dition of the five civilized tribes when
ever in the wisdom of congress it was
deemed best TO do So There are plenty
of presidents for this procedure. Your
state of Kansas was admitted with the
boundary lines as they are now. but with
a proviso as follows:
Provided, tht nothing contained in the
said constitution respecting the boundary
Of said state shall be construed to impair
the rights of person or property now
pertaining TO the Indians in said terri
tory, so long as such rights shall remain
uneXtinguished by treaty between the
United States and such Indian, or to
include any territory which by treaty
with such Indian tribes is not, without
the consent of said tribe. TO be included
within the territorial limits or juriSdc-
ton of any state or territory; but all
such territory shall be excepted out Of
tn. boundaries and constitute no part
of the state of aKnsas until said tribe
shall signify their assent to the president
of the United States to be included with
in said state or to effect the authority
of the government of the United States
to make any regulation respecting such
Indians. their lands, property, or other
rights. by treaty law, or otherwise, which
it would have been competent to make
If this act had never passed
Personally, there never has been a time
that l did not feel that the five tribes
would eventually become a part Of Ok
lahoma. but there is a great difference
between demanding immediate statehood
for Oklahoma at this time and saying
are fully ready TO assume the duties and
of statehood.
On Friday of last week the Democra-
tic members of the committee on terri
tories in both senate and house of repre-
sentatives held caucus and substan-
TALLY agreed that they would stand for
four states out of the four territories of
New Mexico, Oklahoma and the
Indian territory. On the same day the
Republican members of the same commit
tee held a caucus and resolved that they
would stand for only two states out Of
these four territories. Now there is moth
ing inconsistent between the last Re
publican platform in this territory and
DIFF Republican friends in congress. but |
The Democrats of this territory are direct |
y opposed TO the policy of the Democrats /
n congress. Why any loyal resident of .
Okla homa would desire to remain a ter /
-itory indefinitely and want the Indian /
Territory to come in as a part of our state /
without contributing anything for public .
educational, public, penal and (
charitable institutions. has always been
mystery. Common business prudence de-
hands that We should secure statehood at
nee. We would then be in position TO
exercise more influence in congress to
lave that body make equal contribution
rom the Indian Territory for these public
purposes with Oklahoma. If they cannot
10 it in land, they should at least give
is twenty million dollars in money TO
ffset the value of our public lands al
eady appropriated for public purposes.
he Republican party in Oklahoma will
ot have TO change front on it's previous
latforms, but if the Democrats should
AIRY the next congress, our Oklahoma
friends would have to go
way back and sit down. Let us look
t this matter from a business point of
lew. Let US get statehood for Okla
oma. When the people of the five tribes
rom a taxable valuation basis are pre-
AIRED TO assume the burdens Of local
uitable provision for their proportion of
ublic expenses. making them TO contrib
te equitably witlNus. we will be proud to
ave them a part of our state. No argu-
rent is made by any one. that Oklahoma
18th our present population and area is
OF qualified for statehood. While very
w pretend that the people OF the five
-ibeS without any taxable real estate out
de of the cities by which they could sup
ort common schols. local county govern
lent and their share Of the burdens Of
Re state is now ready to be put on a par
it'll Oklahoma. Congress should give Ok
hoTna statehood at once as demanded :
the Republican platform. leaving the
Their bridges to be crossed when we come
them. Very respectfully.
J. W. MNEAL /