The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-03-10
SCOURGED REPUBLICANS
For Refusing to Call Con.
StitutiOnaI Convention

ai OKLAHOMA Went on record again lISt
night as opposed to statehood for The
million and "a half people of Oklahoma
and Indian territory After the unsuc-
cessfui attempts Of the Democrats in the
council yesterday to report the Menefee
bin providing for constitutional conven-
tion and the wtlk-out of the Democrats
in the loves house Wednesday night
when The Republican majority attempted
90 strangie the constitutional convention
bin Just as the late statehood bin was
stranglcd in congress. AN agreement was
reached to consider the bin last evening
after The supper hour
When the appointed time arrived the
question came ttp on the adoption Of the
report oi the sitting committee which had
recommended that the constitutional con-
vention bin introduced by Taylor CRepub-
lican) do pass Representative Bryan Of
Pottawatomle. led OF in an address OF
fifteen minutes In support of the report
which was an extremely clear presenu-
tion Of duty In the matter IN the light
Of ten years Of failure in depending upon
congress to give the peope OF Oklahoma
and Indian territory an enabling act. He
cited as many as dozen precedents
wherein states had been admitted in
consequence OF the adoption OF a c1nsti-
tuition by the people Of q territory who
had proceeded without enabling acts and
read from Delegate McGuire's statement
before the house committee on territories
I'm the last congress an opinion by ex-
President Harrison In support OF the
right of the people to form their consu-
tuition and be admitted without action on
the part OF congress
He was followed by Representative
Scott Ferris OF Comanche county. who
made an eloquent appeal for action at
this time. IN response to a general de-
mand on the part of the people Of both
territories which elected enthusiastic ap-
plause.
Representative Logan Of Kiowa, also
appealed for action at this time in the
name OF the million and a half Amer-
lean citizens in both territories, We
stated he realized that he was appealing
IN vain because the Republican, ma iOrity
had received Its instructions from Dele
gate Mcclure and dared not break faith
with the boss dictator who proposed TO
have all the credit for the passage Of a
statehood bin OF keep us out. Represen-
tative Jester OF washita. and Represen-
tative Hogg OF Day. also made earnest
appeals for some action which would se-
cure two territories recognition OF their
rights as American citizens.
Under the agreement with the major
ity, the minority was to consume forty
ave minutes. yield an hour to the ma
iority and then close IN fifteen minutes
When the forty-dve minutes had been
consumed and the minority speakers had
"a ff, l.t
iority would offer giving them the credit
for It's authorship, and eliminate what
ever objectionable features contained In
the bin under discussion, Speaker Nor
ton called time on them and declared the
discussion open 10 the Republican side
OF the house,
For forty-hve minutes the majority
had sat under as severe a lashing. as
was ever administered In legislative
body When opportunity came for their
hearing the only expression which they
attempted was slclxly smile. They sat
dumb as mummies and stared blankly az
the clock None Of them dared defend
the statehood record OF their party
either al home or I'm Washington. They
virtually confessed Judgment and silently
yet pteously appealed TO the mercy Of an
VuNlhhFA feolufi
When g, WAS apparent that not mem-
ber on the Republican side dared stand
up and assert that he owned his soul
and could oner no better reason for his
refusal 10 support the measure than that
Delegate Mcclure wanted the credit OF
statehood an by his own individual self
Representative Lydick. the minority Lead
en- arose to close. lie confessed his
amazement az the bmzen enrontery Of
the majority In their fixed purpose TO kim
the measure without considering or dis
cussing q at the behest of Delegate Me-
Guire. He pointed out thar two bills had
been introduced IN the house providing
for a constitutional convention. both by
Republicans, in the early part OF the ses-
sion that at that time there was not "a
Republican member in the body but who
was enthusiastic In their support and had
repeatedly declared they would pass one
OF them In the event Of the failure OF the
statehood bin that even so late as two
weeks ago, they We're stnl for the oonst-
tutional convention and continued in that
frame Of mind until Delegate Mcclure
sent instructions from Washington He
stated that the demand for action Of this
nature came as strongly from Repubn-
cans tn both territories as from Demo-
crats-from an the people Irrespective OF
party-and that the minority would be-
willing 70 eliminate the appropriation
and make the plan contingent upon the
expense being borne by popular suDscrip-
tion II Mr.. Mcclure would but allow the
Dill to pass. He then showed up the
long record OF broken statehood pledges
made by the Republican party and ap-
pealed for an opportunity 20 allow the
people 20 act IN the matter Mr.. Lydick
grew eloquent as he closed and ELECTED
much applause
ON the roll call the solid Democratic
membership voted 30 report the bin
while the solid Republican membership
voted 10 kin it. with the exception OF
Mr Taylor, the author OF the bin under
discussion. who was absent and not yot-
ing. No sooner had the vote been ans
aopnced than q motion came promptly
from the Republican side 20 adjourn
whieh carried and Mr. McGuire's pup
pets Eneakod out IKE whipped ours
Delfsltc Mcclure has been in Guthrie
directing Republican movements in the
matter and giving Instructions. lt is
needless TO add that they were adopted
on the spot
Thus ended ihe FINAL EFFORT in the pres-
emit session in behalf Of statehood sith
the Republicans whipped 10 8 standsinl
A featpfe of the farce on theIr part