Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-11
FOR JOINT STATEHOOD
Aim of Boomers From Okla
homa and Indian Territories.
THEY VISIT CAPITOL
SEE SENATOR BEvERIDGE AND
REPRESENTATIVE HAMILTON.
Three Rousing Cheers Given Former
The Speaker Also
Called On.

Joint statehood without any string to it,
If possible but joint statehood, at all
events"
This is the motto of the joint delegation
OF statehood boomers from Oklahoma and
Indian Territory. reaffirmed at meeting OF
the members this morning at the National
Hotel, preliminary to making visit to sew
eral senators and representatives at the
Capitol.
About one hundred out OF the one hun
dred and thirty Eight members OF the dele
cation went to the Capitol this morning for
the purpose of calling upon Senator Bever-
idge, chairman of the Senate committee on
territories Representative Hamilton, chair
man of the House committee on territories,
and Others to impress upon them this atti-
tude of the body.
The cause of the two territories was pro-
noted in a most novel way. When the DEL
egation called to pay it's respects to Senator
Beverfdge the committee room would not
accommodate all the visitors, and the sena-
tor received them in the corridor and ad-
dressed them there. The overflow occupied
the stairs leading to the marble room, one
of the semi-sacred precincts of the Senate.
Those stationed on this elevation led In
cheering the senator. who oomplimented the
people of the territories. and promised they
should not be disappointed in their desire
for statehood.
Three Rousing Cheers.
Three rousing cheers rang through the
Capitol at the conclusion of the speech. and
Charles G. Jones OF Oklahoma City, chair
man Of the delegation, declared that Sena-
tor Beveridge ever had been ready with
'the right kind of advice" in the fight made
by Oklahoma and Indian Territory for ad-
mission to the Union.
The prettiest scene OF the entire proceed
ing was at the close, when Helen Renstrom,
hftten-year-old girl from Oklahoma City.
sang three verses from Oklahoma" the Joint
statehood song. BY this time It seemed that
half OF the habitues Of the Capitol. includ-
ing number Of senators, had been at
tracted by the gathering. The little girl has
remarkably good soprano voice. When
she had finished Senator Beverage shook
her hand and thanked her for the privilege
OF hearing her sing, saying that any one
who heard her would be sure to favor the
cause she promoted. Other senators praised
the little girl, who departed with her
friends. wearing happy smile.
The statehood boomers also received
much encouragement today from the rep
resentatives at whose committee rooms
they called. Representative John Sharp
Williams. the minority leader In address
ing the delegation said he would do all In
his power TO have Oklahoma and Indian
Territory admitted as one state, provided
their admission Is not coupled with the ad-
mission of New Mexico and Arizona
CHAIRMAN Oh
the House committee on territories. assur-
ed the delegation that statehood will doubt
less be granted at this session. The dele
cation also called on Speaker Cannon.
Judge Charles B. Rogers Of Finita, l. T. :;
]. s. Johnston, secretary of the Federated
Commercial Club. Oklahoma City, Okla.
and several other members of the delega-
ton made addresses at the various COM
mittee rooms, and Miss Renstrom sang
oklahoma"
Viavuc 0f he na1e
Three citizens of Indian Territory were
discussing the situati in the National Ho-
tel lobby this forenoon. These were C. e.
Hunter of Chickasha, j. T. Coleman of Ard
more and Judge c. NJ. Joiner of Ardmore.
"One hundred and twenty-five of us want
joint statehood without any restricting
clause, said Mr.. Hunter, but one hun
dred and twenty-five of US will be glad to
get statehood for the two territories as
one, even If Congress does impose restric-
tons. There are three ministers in the
delegation and they naturally would like
to see a prohibition clause inserted in the
enabling act, but the rest are not pushing
that subject, nor are thew for that MAJ
ter
That's right" said the other two.
statehood of some kind, so long as 1t is
one state for both, Is what We are after
and we want 1t at this session. We dre not
particular as to the Details" reiterated Mr.
Coleman.
OF course. said Mr.. Hunter, we think
We are capable of government, and
therefore would like to have our state
hood straight One way of looking at IL is
that If Congress does not think US fit to
get along and make our laws without GER
tain restricting clauses in the act it ought
not to give us statehood at all. That argu-
ment may be used, but not to such an ex-
tent as to run the risk of losing out en-
tirely at this session.
Mr.. Hunter was private in President
Roosevelts rough rider regiment during the
Spanish-American war, and he was elected
last April to the presidency of the Presi-
dent Roosevelt Rough Riders Associa ton
He is enthusiastic admirer of Ibis
colonel" and when he left home he brought
with him an immense piece of mistletoe
the emblem of his territory, a large Dor
ton Of which he sent to Mrs. Roosevelt at
the White House this morning as a compli-
ment from the joint delegation from both
territories.
The delegation attended the services at
the First Congregational Church last even
ing, and Miss Renstrom sang THE Bells
of Bethlehem The three ministers of
the party-Revs. ]. J. Thompson of Okla
homa City. III. L. Cloud of Wellston, Okla
and T. H. Harper of Oklahoma City-occu-
pied seats on the pulpit with Rev Dr. S.
M. Newman, the pastor of the church. The
delegation attended the morning service of
the Metropolitan NJ. E. Church yesterday.
on which occasion Rev. Dr. Frank NJ Bris-
toll preached upon the text There Is still
more land to be possessed"