The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1905-02-09
ALTERNATE
JOY AND FEAR
THE STATEHOOD MEASURE is
STILL UNCERTAIN.
is Still IN the Hands OF the Senate and
So Far No One Knows Its Destiny.
Some Fear the Result While
Others are Happy

There is some disappointment in
Ardmorc today because the statehood
bill has not reached the house as was
expected by many II is strongly be
lieved by officials here that the meas.
ure will be agreed on and that all that
will be- necessary will be the presI.
dents signature.
1t may be of interest to note that
Hon. James e. Humphrey Of this city
was one of the original statehood men
in the territory, being chairman OF the
first single statehood convention ever
held. Therefore he was greatly
pleased when he learned that the adj.
vocates OF joint statehood were sue
cessful.
Mr. Humphrey was seen by repre-
sentative of the Ardmoreite this morn.
ing. He is strongly opposed TO the
prohibition clause in the bill. He said
that he had never seen successful
community where whisky was once
sold, then prohibited He said that
the revenue from the sale OF liquor
would greatly assist in bearing the
burden OF taxation. besides prohib..
ton was a farce.
Assistant Attorney Bum said tina.
the policy of the Republicans in the
territory ON the statehood question
had been consistent throughout the
entire fight. while the Democrats IN
this country had been divided. lie
was inclined to give the Republicans
! leaders the credit for bringing the
matter TO successful issue.
Mr. Johnson discussed the matte.
/ but little. He seemed to be pleased
over the passage of the act
The most serious problem confront
ing the people is that OF taxation, but
it is generally believed that the con.
stitutional convention will find some
way Of solving IT. The trouble lies IN
the tact that the troaties with tho
Choctaw and Chickasaw nations pro
vide that all land allotted 10 Indian.
lis exempt from taNi'i.u for twenty
one years, so long as It remains II
the hands OF the original allottees
As very little land belonging to thos'
nations has been sold, nearly all OF u
will be free from taxes.
In the Creek and Cheroke enauon'
taxes cannot be levied upon nom,
steads Tor twenty one years, but moth
ling i ssaid in the agreement concern
ing the remaining 12O acres OF each al
lotment. 1t is therefore believed
that this land may be taxed upon The
formation of the new state.
II is estimated that only about 8,
100000 acres Of the 10000, GOO acre
of land allotted TO Indians in the ter
ritory can be taxed, leaving abou
twothirds of the land that cannot b
assessed for the support OF the stat
government. Unless some equalizin
system is adopted. the burden will IA
heavily on the people who have tax
able lands and especially upon IN
large corporations in the towns
Several plans have been suggeste
ITO evade such difficulty, one OF then
being to ask congress to make an al
, preparation each year, equivalent &
the amount that would be paid on tn
non.taxable lands If they We're mad
TO bear their share Of the revenu,
b Statehood will make few changes }
conditions here for year or nor
5 yet as the new form OF goyernmei
will not probably be inaugurated uI
ul March, 1906.
The relations of the government
III, Indians, however, will become a.
tremely active Political aspiran
. ar. already numerous enough.
viii Prosecute.