Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1906-06-23
STATEHOOD PASSES UNANIMOUSLY
Not Dissenting Vote in the House Against
Conference Report
Given the Right to Form SOLICITATIONS Mexico
to Vote on the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Provisions
of the BiIl---Speaker Cannon Explains.

Washington, D. C. = Oklahoma
was formally invited to come into tie
Union of states Thursday afternoon
An invitation was also extended ID
Arizona, but the conditions imposed
were such that the offer will be de-
clined.
The 100000 people living in what
is now Oklahoma territory and Indian
territory have it altogether within
their own power to form the state of
Oklahoma. After such a bitter fight
the door to statehood was opened with
almost ridiculous ease. Not one vote
in 3S6 was cast against the PROPOSE
ton and no roll call was required.
II took exactly 90 minutes for the
speeches TO be made which were per
mitted and the motion to be carried
which formed the proposed state Of
Oklahoma and the proposed state of
Arizona.
The steps which will have to be
taken in the two states before two
new stars can be added to the flag are
entirely different. New Mexico and
Arizona must first indicate by vote
that they want to be united before
even the preliminary of 4 constitution
al convention can be disposed Of.
Oklahoma and Indian territory will
have a constitutional convention and
later vote upon state officers. five reD-
resentatives in the lower house Of
CONGRESS and the adoption of the ron-
stitution at special election which
probably will be either in January or
February next year
The territorial election. which would
nave been this fall, probably will be
wiped out by a resolution introduced
in. the house Thursday by Delegate
Mcclure Of Oklahoma
Important Provisions of the Bill.
The call for the election of dele
gates to the constitutional conven-
ton will he the first step in the forma-
ton of the state government There
will lie 112 delegates, 50 each from Ok
lahoma and Indian territory and two
from the Usage Indian reservation.
The capital will remain at Guthrie
until 1918. after which 1t shall be per-
manently located by the electors
two territories. who have lived
The state is divided into five con-
gressional districts.
The sale or manufacture of intoxi-
eating liquors in Indian territory, the
Usage Indian reservation or any other
Indian reservations in existence jan
uary 1, 1906, is prohibited for q years.
except that the legislature may au-
t-.Orize. under certain conditions, the
sale of liquor in public dispensaries
for medicinal and scientific purposes.
The establishment of separate pub
lie schools is permitted The sum of
$1,000 coo is appropriated by congress
for public schools, in lien of school
lands in Indian territory. School or
other lands owned by the state, val
liable for minerals, may be leased for
mining purposes and must not be sold
prior to January 1. 1915. There is 10
mandatory provision for the sale of the
school lands
The state is divided into two feder-
FL districts. Indian territory being the
eastern and Oklahoma the western
district For the time being, the seat
of these courts shall be. respectively,
at NIuskogee and G-thrie.
The state shall never eract any law
restricting or abridging the right of
suffrage on account of race color or
previo>S condition of servitude.
All men more than 81 years old,
who are citizens of the United States,
or members of any Indian tribe in the
two territories. who have lived with
in the state boundaries for at least
six months prior to this election, shall
be permitted to vote for delegates and
may serve rs delegates. This election
must he held within six months after
the approval of the statehood act
The state of<cers shall be voted for
the same day the constitution is rati-
fed or rejected.
For the necessary expenses in or
gapizing the state, congress appropri-
ated 100000.
Roosevelt TO Sign Tt.
Nobody doubts that the president
will sign the statehood bill. for in
his message to tho present congress
he urged the admission of the four
territories as two states. Oklahoma
and the Indian territory will be in
fact a state only after proclamation
by the president announcing the rati-
ficaticn of the state constitution. 1t
IS impossible to tell just how much |
time will be consumed in making the
necessary steps which are required be- /
fore q new state is born. Those who |
have given the subject the closest |
thought believe that the presidents |
proclamation will be coincident with |
the adjournment of congress March |
3. 1907 It will require the full !
tine allowed under the law for the
LcnIency for a Lieutenant