The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-02-22
8hf Dailp Aromoreitf.
THE CAPITAL.


1906, praying for an amendment OF
the capital section Of the statehood
bill:
To the Senate On the United States:
The people Of Oklahoma City. as
sembled in mass convention, respect
fully and earnestly appeal to your
honorable body 10 amend the pending
statehood bill by striking OFT the
clause locating the capital Of the pro.
posed state OF Oklahoma at Guthrie
until 1915 In support Of this appeal
we present the following reasons:
!. SO far as we are advised, there
is no precedent in congress for locat.
ing state capital in an enabling act,
except for the time necessary to put
the state government in motion.
2. To locate the capital at Guthrie,
or at any other place, for ten years,
is purely a local question with which
congress ought not TO deal
g. n fifteen hundred thousand peo-
pie are entitled TO statehood, they are
certainly capable Of locating theiT
permanent seat Of government
4. The people OF both Oklahoma and
Indian Territories. outside OF Guthrie,
unanimously favor the proposed
amendment Following the election and
organization OF the state government,
they desire to locate the capital by
popular vote, In 1908, free from all 10.
cal or partisan influences.
5. The state government OF okla.
homa. after the adoption Of the con.
stitution. will be as extensive, in all
its departments, as the state govern.
ment of Kansas or OF many other
states. In the interest OF economy
and the proper transaction of the pub
lie business. the people should have
the right TO select at an early date
the capital site, and provide for
capital building
6. At the present time, nearly $500.
900, derived from leasing lands re.
served by congress for public build.
ings, is in the territorial treasury,
and the fund is rapidly increasing
When these lands are sold, as proHd.
ed In the bill, the fund will be further
increased TO not less than S5,O00.O00,
available for the erection OF a capital
building and for charitable and penal
institutions
fu to. 10
policy 10 allow this large fund to re.
main in the state treasury, or in the
banks, for series Of years It should
be devoted to the specific purpose
for which it is intended. A large sur
plus is likely to result in improper, or
extravagant legislation.
s. II the location OF the permanent
capital is deferred for ten years, an
additional five years will elapse be.
fore building can be erected for
the use Of the state government, there
by creating great inconvenience and
financial loss to he people OF the
state.
3. To deny the right OF the people
TO locate the capital Immediately fol
lowing the organization OF the state
government, would lead to acrimoni
aus contention nthe state legislature |
over the location OF all cur public |
institutions and in the appropriation |
of the public money. It would be an
ever present issue between parties, |
factions, and sections, and a constant
menace to good legislation from the
first day of statehood.
10. We submit that Square Deal"
demands that no further advantage
should be given TO any town or sec.
tion. which would be the logical result
OF the pending bill. When the people
vote on the capital location they
should be in a position 10 exercise
their unbiased choice free rom the
influence state legislation designed TO
control tho result,
II. In urging the amendment, we
ask no favors for Oklahoma City. We
are no more interested than any other
section OF the two territories. On the
broad ground OF the common good
and in behalf of all the people OF the
proposed state. with fractional OK
ceptlon, we make this appeal confident
that congress will be willing. for rea.
sons herewith submitted, and for 9th
ers equally potent, TO comply with
our request.
Respectfully submitted.
SIDNEY CLARKE.
JNO. II. WRIGHT,
r. u. STAFFORD.