Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-13
WORKING FOR STATEHOOD
Delegate Convention is Held at Oklahoma
City to Discuss Matter.
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS THE MEETING
Every County In Oklahoma and Every
Recording District I'm Indian
Territory IL Represented
by Delegates.

OKLAHOMA CITY. Okl., July l2-One
thousand delegates from the Indian Terri.
tory and Oklahoma met in convention here
today to take some definite action looking
to immediate statehood.
Delegates and visitors began arriving yes
terday and when the gathering was called
to order the greatest enthusiasm prevailed
The convention was Of great Importance to
both territories and, indeed, was considered
one of the most important ever held in the
Indian country. In the early hours delega-
tions paraded the streets, headed by bands
with banners flying, and cheering for i'm
mediate statehood. Many regular and spe-
cial trains during the night and early
morning hours brought in thousands of
visitors from every direction.
Seemingly the utmost harmony prevailed
among the delegates, their only object to
advance the movement for early admission
to the union While there were contesting
delegations especially from the Indian Ter
ritory, where 1t was alleged the Indians
had not been given fair representation, the
disagreements had been settled largely b.
fore the convention was called to order.
An effort to agree upon temporary officers
in caucus early today failed and that work
was left to the convention.
When c. G. Jones OF Oklahoma City
called the convention to order in a brief
speech he was accorded tremendous ova-
ton, the delegates cheering until almost
exhausted. Every county in Oklahoma and
every recording district of the Indian Ter
ritory was represented by full delega-
ton, while hundreds of statehood enthusi-
asts crowded all the remaining space in tho
building.
l. N. Holcombe, former territorial super
intendent of instruction, welcomed the del
egates and responses were made by II, 2.
Robinson of South McAlester, l. T., and
Senator T. p. Gore Of Lawton, okl.
Regrets from Roosevelt.
When the convention met in the after
noon none of the committees was ready
to report. Ex-senator Blair of New
Hampshire made a speech and was given
a great ovation. He was followed by ex-
Secretary of the Interior Noble Delegate
b. s. Mcguire and others. Messages of
regret were read from President Roose-
welt, Vice President Fairbanks. Senator
Beveridge and several other members of
congress, and 1t was announced that Sena-
tor Bailey, who had been expected to at
tend the conNention, had been suddenly
called to New York. A telegram from the
Arizona Statehood league was read, ex-
tending greetings and expressing opposi-
ton to the omnibus statehood plan. This
was greeted with cheers.
The report of the credentials committee
was adopted without division and the COM
mittee on permanent organization named
John Embry of Chandler for permanent
chairman and Charles E. Hunter for sec
rotary.
An executive committee consisting of
fiftyfour members was selected, from
which will be chosen a subcommittee to
congress.
Meanwhile the committee on resolutions
was tied up in a deadlock over the scope
of the memorial, and the convention again
took a recess to meet at 7:30.