The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-01-02
ROGERS TELLS OF NOT
ABLE FEATURE OF THE
STATEHOOD BOOSTERS
AXE GRINDERS SQUELCHED
Mission Far Higher Than
That Of Politics.

Ninlta, Jan. &c. H. Rogers and w
NJ. Simms. Vlnita's delegates to wash
ington on the single statehood special
returned last week from the capital. Mr.
Rogers Is enthusiastic about the work
accomplished by the members of the
delegation. lie was chairman OF the
steering committee for Indian Territory
and G. +. Barrett OF Shawnee was chair
man for the OOklahoma contingent.
Mr.. Rogers said "Tho notable feat
ure OF the delegation vas the absence OF
politicians. We resolutely sauelched
anybody and everybody who attempted
20 inject the slightest symptom OF par
tisanship into our proceedings. As a
consequence, We were able to impress
congress with the idea that we were not
seeking mere partisan advantage. but
THAI we were in Washington on a mis-
sion far higher than that Of yoltics-we
were there to secure our rights as Amer
lean citizens.
Neither did we permit any local af-
fairs to be dragged in. We made 1t a
rule that anybody who desired to ad-
vance the interests of his particular
town or community must do It at other
interviewing members of congress; must
not let his private interests stand In the
way of his doing the duty laid out for
him by the steering committee.
Il believe we did succeed in Impress
ing It on congress that we must have
relief of some Kind at once. We made
IL plain that we cared not at all what
happens to Arizona and New Mexico;
that we were in Washington simply and
solely for the advancement of the cause
of statehood for Oklahoma and Indian
Territory. We did not ask for statehood
as a boon, but we demanded it as our
right; and It was promised us by men
who l have every reason no believe
meant what they were saying and who
win be able to deliver the goods
Il am not prophet but l believe
1t Is safe to predict that Oklahoma and
Indian Territory viii be given statehood
late during the present session of con-
gress. / believe the omnibus bill will
be passed, but If 1t should be defeated,
l believe bill granting statehood to
these two territories alone win be passed
In the house there will, of course. be
no difficulty In passing the omnibus bill;
from Senator Foraker and from the DEM
ocratic senators.
Senator Foraker will insist on his
amendment to the Hamilton bill re-
qulrng n separate vote in Arizona and
New Mexico on the question of admis
sion. This amendment. / believe, will
be defeated, and l think thai when this
has happened. Senator Foraker will not
be able to continue his opposition and
viii consent to a vote. The democrats
win also endeavor to secure the adop
tion of the Foraker amendment, and
will use every legitimate effort to ac-
complish their end but l do not believe
they will hilibuster against the passage
OF the bill, even If their amendment is
defeated.
However, l feel certain that we are
to secure statehood. Everybody in Wash
ington knows we deserve IL; everybody
agrees we ought to have 1t. President
Roosevelt assured us when We called on
him that q was certainly remarkable
something 10 had never seen before
that n DO of men as large as ours
should come such distance as We had
come, not to advance our private inter-
ests but TO secure self government FOR
the people Of our territories. He said
Il certainly showed that we were in
earnest in our crusade and he became
so enthusiastic on the subject that he
promised to cali congress in extra ses-
sion if it should adjourn without having
passed the statehood bill. So. l dom
have much doubt but that we are go
ing TO get statehood"