The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-03-13

IOilOWlng letter 10 tne Couth McAHbter
News:
"That delightful young romancer who
sends dispatches from Muskogee to divers
papers, has made the astonishing discov-
cry that the easiest road for the Indian
Territory is the advocacy Of seperate
statehood. According to his novel opin-
ion. being tied up with Oklahoma has
been the chief drawback Of the territory.
''When it is recalled that the acciden-
tai absence Of Senators Knox, Aldrich,
Burton, Mitchell and Platt, all impaired,
wds the only thing which prevented the
passage ofthe statehood bill, making two
states out Of the fou- territories, one Of
them being the almost unprecedented
area Of 234 900 50. miles, the statement
Of the Nluskogee romancer is absurd.
With these men present and no other
shange in votes, the proposition for the
separation Of Arizona and New Mexico
would have lost by four votes. And the
republican caucus Of the house has twice
declared for two states of the four terri
tories.
The only United States Senator who
has publicly expressed himself in favor Of
the admission OF the Indian Territory as
state in the near future, is Senator
Bailey, Of Texas. No bill for that pur-
pose has ever been introduced in Con-
gress. No national platform in the his
tory Of tho United States has declared for
such thing. Senator Bailey, stauneh
friend Of the territory and consistent ad-
vocate Of four states from the four terri
tories, has risked his reputation as a
prophet by asking that the Congressional
Record note his prediction that just as
sure as the next congress meets tyio states
win be made Of the four tsrritorles. He
knows the coniaituency Of the next house
and the next senate.
"With this single exception, every ad-
yocate Of tee immediate seperate admis-
sion Of Oklahoma stood on the ground
that the Indian Territory Is not ready for
statehood. Senator Bate, ranking ma
nority member Of the committee on ter
ritories, (whom the Washington cores
pondent Of the Kansas City Star and
Times charged with being largely respon-
sible for the inability Of the conferees to
agree) frankly admitted in a colloquy
with Senator Long, Of Kansas, February
4, that he would keep Indian Territory
under direct control OF congress until
the entire Indian business is wound up,
meaning, as was universally understood,
until the expiration OF the twenty-one
years set as the homestead limit Senator
Morgan ond Senator Teller made similar
arguments during the long discussion.
Senator McCumber, in his speech favor
ing his amendment, dwelt particularly on
the unpreparedness Of Indian Territory.
His subsequent attitude on the Indian
Affairs committee indicated that he
shares Secretary Hitehcocks views as to
the length Of time necessary for ''pre-
pairing Indian Territory.
"Senstors Bard, Hepburn, Overman,
Simmons, Hansbrough and Foster, Of
Louisiana, who voted for the McCumber
amendment, had previously, to my GER
tain knowledge, declared that they had
no objection to the union OF Oklahoma
and Indian Territory. am told that
many more senators were Of similar opin-
ion.
1T may be true that the unprepared-
ness Of Indian Territory has helped to
keep Oklahoma out Of the union. There
was at one time prospect for the admis-
sion Of oklaht ma. by itself, with provis-
ion for the graGual absorption Of Indian
s Territory, but there is no such chance |
now. Every years delay has increased
the strength Of Indian Territory's claim
for absolutely fair treatment in the join
der, which joinder all who have felt the
pulse in Washington have long recog-
nized as inevitable The vote Of 32 to
45 on this proposition, and the ovrrwhel-
ming vote to lay on the table Senator
Galhnger's amendment, allowing the two
territories to vote separately on the
odoption Of the constitution, accentuate
the 'fnevitableness Of such joinder.
With fun vote there would have been
50 to 81 Had the senators hitherto
named voted on this proposition, divorced |
Of any feeling Of staying by their Arizo-
pa aud New Mexico friends, it would
have stood et least 50 to 81. The new
senate bids fair to be even more over
whelmingly in favor Of the joinder, for
new senators as rule are averse to