The Rich Hill tribune., 1906-06-21

Washington. -. c. - Oklahoma
was formally invited 20 come into the
Union of states Thursday afternoon.
An invitation was also extended -
Arizona, but the conditions imposed
were such that the offer viii be de-
clined.
The 1000 900 people living in what
Is now Oklahoma territory and Indian
territory have Il altogether within
their own power to form the state Of
Oklahoma. After such a bitter hght
the door to statehood was opened with
almost ridiculous ease. Not one vote
IN 3S6 was cast against the proposi-
tion and no roll call was required.
n took exactly 20 minutes for the
speeches 70 be made which were per
mitted and the motion 20 be carried
which formed the proposed state of
Oklahoma and the proposed state OF
Arizona.
The steps which will have 20 be
taken IN the two states before two
new stars can be added 10 the flag are
entirely different New Mexico ard
Arizona must first indicate by q vote
that they want 20 be united before
even the preliminary Of a constitution
al convention can be disposed of
Oklahoma and Indian territory viii
have a constitutional convention and
later vote upon state officers. FIVE rem
resentatives in the lower house ~
congress and the adoption Of the con
stitution az n special election which
probably Will be either In January or
February next year
The territorial election. which would
have been this fall. probably viii be
wiped out by a resolution introduced
in the house Thursday By Delegate
Mcclure OF Oklahoma.
Important Provisions ofths Biu.
The call for the election Of. dele
gates 20 the constitutional conven-
tion will be the FIRST step in the forma-
tion ~ the state government. There
will be Il2 delegates. 55 each from Ok
lahoma and Indian territory and two
from the Usage Indian reservation.
The capital will remain at Guthrie
until 1918. after which Il shall be per-
mauenry located by the electors
two territories, who have lived
The state is divided into FIVE con
Eressional districts
The sale or manufacture of lntoNi-
eating liquors IN Indian territory. the
Usage Indian reservation or any other
Indian reservations IN existence jan
vary J.. 1906. IS prohibited for = years.
except that the legislature may au-
thorize under certain conditions, the
sale OF liquor IN public dispensaries
for medicinal and scientific purposes.
The establishment OF senarate pub
lie schools is permitted The sum Of
5000. 600 Is appropriated by congress
for public schools, in lieu ~ school
lands IN Indian terr'torv. School or
other lands owned by the state val
uahle Tor minerals may bc leased for
mining purposes and must not be sold
prior 20 January I. 1915 There IS no
mandatory provision for me sale Of the
school lands
The state is divided into two fedor-
ri districts. Indian territory being the
eastern and oklahoma the western
district For the time being. the seat
of these courts shall bc respectively.
az MuFkorce and Gnthric
The state shall never ci act any law
restricting or ahridclng the rirht n
suffrage on account az race color OF
proyio.h condition Of Feryitudc.
All men more than eI years old.
who are citizens of the United States.
or members of any Indian tribe la the
two territories who have lived with
In the state boundaries for az least
elk months prior 20 this election. shall
be permitted b vote for delegates and
may serve as delegates This election
must be held within six months after
the approval Of che statehood act
The state officers shall be voted FOR
the same day the constitution is rau-
fed or rejected
For the necessary expenses in or
FaulFlng the state, congress appropri-
ated 100000
Roosevelt "a siEu A.
Nohody doubts that the president
viii slgn the statehood bill. for IN
his message 90 the present congress
ne urred the admission Of the four
territories gs two states Oklahoma
and the Indian territory viii De IN
fact a state only after proclamation
by the president announcing the ratl-
Rcation OF the state constitution. II
Is impossible 20 tell just how much
time win be consumed In making the
necessary steps which are required be
fore a new state Is born. Those who
have given the subject the closest
thought believe that the presidents
proclamation will be coincldent With
the adjournment Of congress March
3. 1907 Il will require the flll
time allowed under the law for the
Leaisacy Tor a Lieutenant