The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-01-25
INDIAN TERRITORY PEO-
PIE ARE PESSI-
MYSTIC.
OVER STATEHOOD OUTLOOK
Want Removal of ReStric.
tiOn From Indian Lands.
Special to The Daily Leader.


generally known here, except among
some Of the old residents. that Indian
Territory has been looking for ward to
statehood for seventeen years. Year
after year the people have waited pa
tiently fo he coveted boon, but the
adjournment of each congress has
brought only disappointment Last
winter when the Hamilton bill had
passed beth houses and had all but
become a law. the people of Indian
Territory began to accustom them
selves to the sound Of the name Okla
homa. fully expecting that statehood
was assured. only to meet disappoint-
ment AS result, there Is much less
interest in the progress Of statehood
legislation In Indian Territory this
winter than year ago. Most OF the
newspapers take the pesslmistic view
Of the situation and predict no state
hood this year. Only a few stand out
and declare their faith In early state
hood.
Some interpret this apparent indif-
ference on the statehood question as
evidence that Indian Territory people
do not want to be admitted It is
true that there is one thing they want
worse than statehood and that is the
removal OF restrictions from the sale
of Indian lands. II they were able to
take one and give up the other there
Is no doubt that majority of the cit
liens would choose the removal of re-
strictions. Most of the people OF this
territory want immediate statehood,
but have grown weary In struggling
for 1t, and the attitude of the leaders
of the house in Washington has only
intensified this feeling Of lassltude.
Statehood without the removal Of
restrictions would. in the opinion of
many prominent citizens, mean bur
den of tax that would amount to op-
preston. In such case nearly three
fourths of the land would not be tax
able. which would throw The burden of
taxation upon the other one-fourth,
which would be In the hands OF white
farmers. and upon the cities, which are
already laboring under heavy enough
tax to support schools and other in
stitutIons necessary to new and rapid
ly growing towns. II, however. the
Curtis bill, which contains d clause
providing for the removal OF restric-
tions, WHICH has passed the house and
is in fair way of passing the sen
ate, should become a law, there could
be no reasonable objection to immedi-
ate statehood With restrictions re-
moved from the sale of Indian lands
ana statehood Indian Territory would
experience a boom within the next
year that would bring it unrivaled
prosperity. It is for such condition
tAat Indian Territory people have
been waiting for years, but such
prospect seems almost too good to bc
true. aud they are merely waiting aud
hoping.
It is a rather remarkable fact that
Pleasant Porter principal chief OF the
Greek nation. hould have been one
of the leaders Ia movement to Sc
cure statehood, which was inaugurated
at Muskogee in 1889. sixteen years
aeo AZ a meeting in Phenix hall. over
the old United States court room.
Muskogee citizens gathered to hear
addresses concerning the future Of
this country from several congress,
men from outside states. including
Springer OF Illinois, Rogers of Arkan-
sas, and Boxer Of New York. aud from
Chief Pleasant Porter. Al this meet
ing the sentiment for future statehood
for Indian Territory and Oklahoma
was born, so far as old residents Of
this city recall. Congressman Rogers
expressed the opinion that the In
dians should take the initiative in a
movement to secure immediate state
hood. II they waited. he sail, the
white people. who were coming into
the country, would soon far outnumber
the Indians and have their own way
about statehood and control the new
state Chief Porter agreed with Rog.
ers in this view and advised immedi.
ate action. In the light Of present
events the statement was prophetic
The Indians last summer held con-
yention, which was presided over by
the same Chief Porter. In last vain
attempt 10 impress the government
that tksre Fsfe aeatles with the In
dians that should ho respected and.
that separate statehood should Be
given 10 Tho country oecupleae ~ ~
nye clyilisod tribes, distinct from
Okiahoma But this movement came
TOO late Whilc men dominated the
confspti0n. The Indians being mere