The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-21
SOME SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED
FROM w. J. BRYAN IN LETTER
TO CONVENTION.
HarrlIi w. Harris Contest Settled by
HarriIl WithdrswIng-Dlvision OF
Greer County Creates Interest,"
Measures Reported Out.

GUTHRIE: Placing especial emphasi
upon the necessity OF enacting into tn
constitution of the new state laws pro
viding for the control and regulation o
corporations, giving rights to labor an,
advocating the initiative and referendum
the reading Of a letter from William Jen
nlngs Bryan to the members Of the con
stitutional convention was the paramount
feature OF Saturdays session of the bod.
which is framing Oklahomss constitu
ton.
Mr. Bryan, with his letter, addressed
the following note to President Murray
Il wrote you a few days ago expressing
my deep appreciation OF the honor don,
me by the convention In inviting IN,
to address It. and my regret that the
work which / have on hand prevents m,
acceptance. I then promised to present
some suggestions I'm writing. and these
j herewith inclose. In the hope that they
may be of some service to the earnes,
men who are engaged I'm the important
work Of framing a constitution for the
new state OF Oklahoma.
The following are the essential features
advocated by Mr.. Bryan IN his letter:
Freedom OF religious belief, freedom OF
speech and freedom OF the press.
Jury in equity cases, majority to re-
turn verdict. Jury in contempt cases II
desired.
Judges to be elected by the people.
Local self-sovernment.
Limit upon time for bond issues.
Representation Of all parties upon cleo
ton boards.
Community to bear cost Of elections.
Direct primary
Initiative and referendum.
Control OF corporations.
Municipal ownership.
Franchises to be granted by vote OF
the people.
Legislatures to have plenary power in
matter OF taxation.
Labor laws fixing time Of work day
and minimum age at which children may
be employed. Arbitration of labor diff
ficulties
A supplementary report from the special
committee on expenses of the constitu-
tional convention Saturday morning was
submitted as second report. the first
having been withdrawn the first part OF
the week at the request OF the chairman
OI tue COUlifnttcc, asp.
The second report fixes the total esti-
mated cost Of the convention delibera-
tions at see, 900, or a sum about $20, ,00O
less than the previous estimate submit
ted by the committee.
The item Of sac, 900 estimated as the cost
Of the convention printing is still main
tained, although Chairman Asp of the
committee stated in presenting the report
that the committee had no means OF re-
liably or even approximately estimating
this item.
The figures submitted. according to Mr..
Asp. are based on the fact that the aver
age cost for printing at the different ses-
sions OF the Oklahoma territorial legs
iature has been about 100000 AS the
constitutional convention Is composed OF
a membership OF over double the number
in a legislature, Mr.. Asp argued that
II would be proper to suppose that the
printing expense would be double that of
the legislature.
The report went over until Tuesday,
when Il was to be made a special order
of business.
A recapitulation Of this committees re-
port Is as follows:
Estimated cost OF first election. $50. 90
Estimated cost OF printing!. 10000. 90
Estimated convention expenses. 1880 90
Estimated expenses second elec-
tion .,..............'.'' ofooVVV
Total ...,...........'.. ''''sSSo'o"V'oo
Appropriation .................. loo'VooVo