The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-09-09

On July 22nd, last, an article in
the Ardmoreltc, Mr. Drew said
Thus you see If the people of the
Indian Territory and Usage Reserva-
tion are wide-awakn 10 the importance
of selecting true and trustworthy
men as delegates TO the constitutional
convention, men who are sincerely in
favor of prohibiting the sale of liquor,
not only in the Indian Territory ana
Usage Reservation, but in Oklahoma
as well. we can secure a law prohibit
ing the sale and manufacture of liquor
in the entire new state of Oklahoma.
The good people throughout the coun-
try should wake up to the importance
of the demand upon them. If ~ elect
true and tried men TO the constitutions
al convention, men who will not sell
out to "Anheuser-Busch,' or am or
er combination of liquor traih2. We|
can secure prohibition TO" the CnJ.e
new state. The Indian Territory and
Usage Reservation will have prohibi-
tiCn whether the individual delegates
to the constitutional convention are in
favor of It or not. To secure state
hood this must be embodied in the
state constitution, and adopted by
the people. There Is no way to-
evade this. Now, By electing fifty
seven true men, men who cannot be
lought or intimidated or bull-dozed,
VIC viii have a majority in the consu-
trtional convention in favor OF prohi'
bition of the sale of liquor We GER
ta,nly will be able to elect a few dele.
gates from Oklahoma who are IN favor
OF prohibition in the entire new state.
II Sc, We can win the victory. We can
then write it in the constitution tCr
twenty.one years, clean, clear proEibi-
tion for the entire state.
Voters. do not be deceived nthis
question. Make the candidates speak
out in no uncertain terms.
On August 7th, in another article
in the Ardmoreite, speaking of the
prohibition question, Mr.. Drew said:
Il think the law should apply to
the whole state alike. Then all Ques-
tions OF constitutionality would be
settled, and simple justice would be
done to the whole state, and the law
could be more uniformly enforced
In the Ardmoreite OF August 2Sth,
there appeared the following account
of a speech delivered by Mr.. Drew
on the previous night before the Ard
more Democratic club:
Mr.. Drew was called for and arose,
and delivered what is among his first
political speeches in the territory.
Mr.. Drew made a good impression.
He commented at length upon Mr..
Ledbetter's speech, attacking his state
ment that he, Ledbetter, would not
handle the question of prohibition
should he be elected to the convention,
but will consider it dead issue, set
tied by the act of congress which
states that it is one of the provisions
which must be placed in the constitu-
tion of the new state. Mr.. Drew said
If elected he would make fight on this
issue, and endeavor to have the entiIe
state made prohibition, and not that
part now known as the Indian Terri
tory, the Usage nation, and all other
Indian Reservation, which has been
so ordered by an act of congress.
In the Ardmore Morning Democrat
of the same date, the following ac-
COuHl VI MI. lItN 0It'tu dppthlNh'
Hon. Byron Drew arose, and stated
that he hadn't intended to speak, but
took occasion to reply to Mr.. Ledbet-
ter's position on the prohibition ques-
ton.
The audience had never heard Mr..
Drew speak before, and there were
many surprised with what eloquence,
ease and precision he handled his srb-
ject. He stated that he was in favor
of local option, but since the people OF
the Indian Territory We're not even
permitted by the stipulations of the
statehood bill to have this, and since
we have forced prohibition in this part
of the state he was in favor of extend
ing it over the whole state, and plac.
ing Oklahoma under the same restric-
tiOns i'm that respect as we are forced
to have
The reports of Mr.. Drew's speec
been contradicted by him, and | as
delicate and sensitive nature would h
corrected.
Read the quotation from Mr. Drew
mean that he was in favor of forcin
the people wanted 1t or not, his Ian
If he was not then in favor of 'lega
pie" it seems to me that he wanted W
stitutional coercion.
He makes a loud and earnest ap
able men to the constitutional con"cn
tlon for the entire new state; that b
men from Indian Territory and Osag