The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-08

out the territory The immortal
Thomas Jenersou IS credited with the
statement that IL he should be re-
Qulred to choose between govern.
ment without newspapers and news.
papers without a government he should
unhesitatingly choose the latter n
the wisdom OF this utterance had hith.
erto lacked yindication 10 would now
be found in the conditions in Indian
/ Territory. where an intelligent and
courageous press is doing 50 much to
keep the country abreast Of the most
/ progressive states. Indian Territory
editors have had little Acquaintance
with 'fiowery beds Of ease. The ru.
raj population has been scattering
and somewhat transient; official pub
lioations and public patronage are al
most unknown; countless obstacles
have stood in the way OF these plucky
publishers but they have overcome
them. and their papers would be a
credit } any state-a splendid monu.
ment to their brains and business abil-
/ ity
According 70 the latest newspaper
annual the two territories have one
newspaper or other publication for
every 1890 Of their population But
seven states show a greater proper
tion while the average Of the states
aud territories is one publication for
every 1851 of population Only four
teen states, including one New Eng.
land state and one southern state,
have a greater number of publications
than the $50 accredited to the two
territories; but fifteen states publish
"a greater number of dsdlies; only
fourteen print more weekly papers,
and IN but thirteen states are a greater
number Of towns represented by pub
lications. In point of circulation, Ia
mechanical equipment and typograph-
ical appearance and in the excellence
of their news service as well as in
editorial strength these papers are
fully up to the standard Of the older
states. There is good reason for this
Our population is made up Of an in
telligent, wide-awake newspaper-read-
ing people. There are thirty states
and territories. including Massachu-
sets, which have, according to the
United States census, a greater per
centage of illiteracy than has Okla
homa. Judged by the newspaper
standard. there can be no question
as to the fitness Of Oklahoma and In
dian Territory 70 immediate admis-
sion as state
"One reason why there are so many
papers IS found in the fact that in
every town in the territories there is
an intense degree of patriotism. and
this sentiment demands newspaper
as practically the first institution after
the townslte has been plated It |
must have been here that the printer
man, with pathetic eye. took his out
ht into the unsettled wilderness. and, !
as told in the rhyme,
Men laughed at him as they looked |
about,
When, in tn woods. they found him.
But when he got lis paper out,
They built town around him.
One cannot read the exchanges from
the two territories year after year
without being impressed with the
broad character, the intelligence, en-
terprse, and the energy Of the men
who make these papers There have
been undesirable publishers and un-
worthy publications. but under the
operation of tie law of the survival
Of the tittest. the papers of objection
able character have nearly all found
their place in the newspaper grave
yard, and practically all the pubica-
lions of today have passed the expert
mental stage and are armly estab-
lished These territory editors are
men who would have made a credit
able showing anywhere they might
nave been placed They mad the fore
sight to recognize the possibilities of
heir chosen home, and. by means of
heir brains and push, are witnessing
he realization of their dreams. They
include college professors and gradu-
ties and men Of other profess. .ons,
Who have been attracted to the fourth
'state by the opportunities it offers
or usefulness. They are important
actors in public affairs. indispensable :
II local matters, and inseparable from
politics, Their services In Official ca
,acity have been so satisfactory that
when President Roosevelt wanted a /
nan for governor Of Oklahoma he ]
hose one who had made good as O
postmaster and a country editor, and
he wisdom OF the selection has been
royen by an administration which is
source Of pride to the newspaper
ratornity
"The paramount eyer-present ques-
ion with the newspapers Of the two d
erritories is statehood. We have here +
eady and waiting an the essentials to {
he formation OF a great and prosper il
ms state In area. in natural re- In