The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-10
PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE STATE
Indian Territory Can Be Con-
troIIed by Republicans.
ORGANIZATION TO DO 1T
Would Have Officers of Count
les Named by Governor.


| Guthrie, O. T., May 9.-A Muskogee dis
patch says the Republicans of Indian
! Territory have a new scheme in connec-
ton with the statehood BILL AS result
of informal conferences held during the
last week they have outlined plan which
J if it can be carried through will assure
complete organization of the party in
what is now Indian Territory long before
| statehood is finally acquired
The new plan is 10 have the bill so
modified that Immediately upon its pas
| sage and approval the two territories
will be united as the territory of Okla
homa This would of course necessitate
the appointment of county officers for
the new part of the territory. Oklahoma
has Republican governor and under the
existing laws the governor has the APP
pontment of officials for all new counties.
The political complexion o. Indian Ter
ritory is doubtful. to say the least. The
city elections last April indicated that
the Democrats have slightly the best of it,
It is to overcome this apparent majority
in the ranks of the enemy that the Re-
publican leaders have suggested the pro-
posed plan.
The Hamilton bill, as it passed the
house. describes the boundaries of the
twenty-eight counties for Indian Terri
tory. and it is quite probable that the final
bill will also provide for a certain num-
ber of counties The counties would at
first have practically no organization of
permitted to name afficials for their gov
ernment formidable organizations of the
party in power would soon De perfected.
If this condition can be brought about
the Republicans believe the party would
not only control the constitutional conven-
ton, but would also elect large major
ity of the members of the first state leg
islature. which would eventually mean
the election of two Republican United
states senators. They realize that or
ganization will mean much TO begin with
and it is believed the first part yto or
ganize will at least for a number of
years predominant.
By being assured of a majority of the
constitutional convention it would be a
matter of little difficulty to augment the
strength gained in organization by being
cautious in describing the congressional
districts for the new state. All OF the
bills so far introduced in congress have
provided that the constitutional conven-
ton describe the boundaries of these dis
tricts, and if the plans outlined are given
consideration, of course the bill which be-
comes a law will contain a similar pro-
vision, thus affording an opportunity for
the party in control of the convention to
the territory as ii pleases.
The proposition has already been sub
mitted to Delegate Mcclure and Dennis
Flynn of Oklahoma, and their opinion
of the matter is expected in a few days.
OF course the acquiescence of Oklahoma
r epublicans would be required to make
a success Of the enterprise. II the Okla
homa delegates agree with the Indian
Territory leaders il is figured that the
conference committee will willingly accept
the recommendations.
This would place the statehood bill on /
party lines in congress. The Democrats |
here have already gotten wind of the |
and are considerably excited. |
The Republicans are using for argument 1
IN justification of their plans that to be 1
equal in the constitutional convention the I
delegation from both territories should be |
>lected under the same law. The only |
method by which this could be done
would be the one proposed.
1t would be no ifringement upon the |
tights of the Indians TO united the VITO
territories al once. In fact. it would Sf-
ord an opportunity to better their cofidi-
ion as well as that of the non-citiZens.
1 public school system might be started
;oonerby this means. and much of the
work which would otherwise have 10 be
lone during the first year of statehood
would thus be dispensed with immediate
Y after the territories are united.