The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-19
GOVERNOR FERGUSON'S MESSAGE
Oklahoma Chief Executive Offers Suggestions to the Eighth
legislative Assembly


Gent rsennAr-
You nave assembled in the capacity
nf lMwn.akers. representing the onls
feature of Territorial Government
which derives It's authority from tha
people. Let Us all hepe that when an
other legislative assembly convenes ~
Dklshona It wiM be afttr her star nAs
been given a place upon the field q
blue-fhe -'brightest and tas best
The progress Ok the territory has
1een wonderful during the period whieh
has intervensd since the Adjournment
of the Seventh legislative assembly
The population Is nov az least seFeAt
hundred thousand. The wealth Of EAe
territory. if ali property could bs az
sessed at its real cash value. wou-c
reach ia the aggregate five hundred
and forty million dollars QUE
schools are the greatest q ~ terri
torf1l interests. The people q Okla
h0ma are educators.
This assembly viii probably b. fhe
of 4 territorial character lt VIII pal
a marker OF history. ana may close the
ehapter of territorial legislation. we
are living Gn the formative days af
state Our people have. BY thsit
achievements written magnificent
history The world has looked upon
Oklahoma and naryeled st her accom- +
plislments. Her past has been full q
interest and Der future is fulI of (
promise.
stateggood
self government is one Of the things
most highly cherished b. every liberty 4
loving American citizen. The people
of Oklahoma want statehood. The
people or Indian Territory want state-
hood. a bill now psndlng IN the senate
cf the United states offert what i
wanted by both territories That Dali
should receive favorable action Is
would BE- proper for this ASSEMBLY to
pass at once a joint resolution asking
t.aat statehood be conferred through the
Bill now pending III the SENATE.
Territorial Officers II
The reports Or the various territorial
aFeesssaais saasE S@eM printed in conn
pIlanca with the law and sabnsittea
for your careful consideration. Il Is
earnestly requested that committees Be
! ppognted ~ the assembly to carefully
heck Up each os the offices connected
v tn the territorial governmsnt. and
that report be made on the condition
an6 business transactions OF each de-
partment. AZ members Of this body
you have come direct form the people.
You are taesr chosen business agents.
ard through you they should know how
their affairs are being conducted
Appropriations.
Oklahoma has made the most won
derful progress along all lines Of pos
able aeyelopment ever Witnessed In any
comnonweaI ia the American re-
pubic III 30 abort time. She ha
grown to magnificent proportions.
Conditions have very materially !
changed Requirements and neees-
sfttes have changed also
In dealing with financial matters Itl
should not be forgotten that with the +
growth 0f the territory have come i'm 7
creased demands for large 2ppropri- !
atoms, and It Is not correct economy
10 withhold any necessary suppurt. and :
5y 80 doing curtaiI IN any way the pro- !
I,
marked our past history. In my judg-
1aent the people who nay the taxes and !,
lpon whom devolye the responsibility !,
II Supporting the various interests Ok !,
ne commonwealth are willing to meet !,
ii necessary expenditures and viii !
.aeerfuily acquiesce in the action Or I
his honorable body in making the ap- !,
necessary 70 meet ali
easonable demands However. with !,
ut preauuing 70 instruct, / have the !,
lonor to suggest taat in matters per- 1
aiming to appropriations it Is always i
xpedient for US to follow the ancient !
dmonition to be ~a# wise as serpents :
nd az harmless as doves. 4
Many demands viii be made upon +,
his assembly for appropriations. The j
eeds are greater than at any time I
uring the history Of the territory. !.
nd the ability to meet them has been !,
accordingly. The one SAFE !,
-uard. however. is to know that every !,
ppropriation asked for Is necessary I,
t tais time. i
There are seven educational institu- 4.
Ions in the territory to be maintained. !,
hey present claims to the territorial =
szembly every session for appropri- Z
tfons. II. in my judgment. is not and !.
nouId not be the policy Of the territory i,
hrough its legislative assembly 10
eny any Of these institutions the sup :,
ort that they need, but at the same !,
me, precaution should be taken to 4,
revent any appropriation not actually y
eeded at this time. Local enthusiasm :,
nd a desire to build Tip an institution y
-hfch will add to the welfare Of .,
community. as well as to the gen. i
raj welfare. often inspires efforts that ~
each beyond the present financial r
ower Of the territory. Again. ambition n
, build quickly and to develop a great 4,
istitution regardless Of existing con- II
Itions sometimes leads promoters Of i,
appropriations to transcend the ca i.
acity Of the territory. We can only =
1iId up our interests as existing con-
tions viii permit. The only condst-
il way is to pave the road as we 60 1.
II not 81 advance OF our financial i.
,Aity to do things As the common a
ealth advances in population and
eaith. we should make provision to Ia,