The Washington herald., 1906-10-22
CAMPAIGN HOT IN OKLAHOMA
Contest for the Governorship an Elk
citing One.
Washington Man Says Democrats
VIII Win in First Battle for In
FAINT State and Tells Why.

WHO is to be the first governor of the
new State of Oklahoma"
This is a question which is being asked
just now by many persons in Washing
ton, for deal of interest is manifested
at the National Capital regarding the
probable political complexion Of the in
FAINT State.
The constitutional convention for Okla
homa will convene at Oklahoma City on
November G. and the action taken by this
convention viii determine the States di-
vision into judicial, Congressional. and
assembly districts. 1t is understood that
the national committees of both parties
have sent workers out there, and flooded
the two Territories with literature. for the
natives are new at the game Of politics,
and a most exciting campaign is pre-
dicted
According 10 the views Of a weH-known
Washington attorney, who has spent sew
eras years in the Indian Territory, and
who is personally acquainted with the
people and the conditions there. a Demo
cratic governor is foregone conclusion.
1t seems to have been agreed upon, too
that the Oklahoma Territory Democrats
are 10 be allowed to name the guberna-
toriaI candidate, while those OF the In
dian Territory side are TO "have the say
concerning the rest Of the State ticket,
the Democratic nomination being regard
ed, according to this authority, as equiva-
lent to election.
After as careful a canvass as can be
made" said this gentleman to a Herald
reporter, yesterday 1t is now conceded
that the new State viii be Democratic,
and that the Democratic candidate for
governor will be elected, provided there
is no pei sOnal objections TO him.
THE Territory Of Oklahoma has al
ways been close politically Dennis
Flynn was elected Delegate several times,
and the present Delegate Bird MCGUIRE.
was elected by a very narrow margin,
But many Democratic votes were cast for
both Of these delegates by reason of the
fact that, in the case of Flynn. he was
endeavoring to secure the passage of the
Free Homes bill; and in that of Nc
CURE, it was thought best to have a Re
publican representative at Washington In
the interest of the Statehood bill Now.
that those measures have passed. the
party lines viii be drawn again.
THE Indian Territory, which joins
OkiauOnla IN the state election Is IN
questionably Democratic by a large ma
jority, estimated at from 5000 to 10000,
which is more than enough to overcome
any possible Republican majority in the
Oklahoma Territory section.
1.-THE most prominent candidates for
governor are both in the Indian Territory
j. J. McAlester, of McAlester, and Lee
Cruce, OF ArdmOre. Both of these men
have been identified with that country for
many years. J. J. McAlester is probably
the weaithiest man in the Territory He
went TO that country when the Missouri
Kansas and Texas Railroad. known as
the Katy was building, and he drove
d span Of mules on the dump He was
quick to recognize the value of the coal
deposits around the town named for him.
and became one Of the heaviest coal
operators in that section of the country.
He is undoubtedly a millionaire.
With all the rest. he is a commoner.
In the fullest aoCeptatiOn OF the term He
cares nothing whatever for appearance:
his wife and children are members Of the
Ch0ctaw nation of Indians
THE principal opposing candidate is Lee
Cruce-as different man from McAlester
as can well be imagined
The Cruces are of a well known old
Kentucky family of colonial ancestry:
McAlester is the first of his line in this
country to achieve wealth and distinction.
and the contest between the two for
nOminatiOn-which I believe means cleo
tomas the first governor of Oklahoma
will result in one Of the most interesting
campaigns in the history Of the Western
States"