New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-11-17
THE FORTY-SIXTH STATE.

4 new state was added TO the Union yester-
day when President Roosevelt issued a procla-
nation announcing the fulfilment by Oklahoma
of the conditions Of admission laid down III the
enabling act of June 16. 1906. The new state
government was set up In Guthrie and the hve
Representatives elected on September IL be-
came qualified as members of the lower house.
Two United States Senators Will soon be
elected by the new Legislature. The latest
entry into the federal family breaks all prece-
dents for size and general development 1t
is by far the largest community ever received
into the Union Its present population is over
100000 None of the thirteen colonies had a
population as large as thai when it Joined the
others to form the Constitution, or even when
the census OF 1900 was taken. In 1890 Viz
ginia had SSO,2O0 inhabitants. Pennsylvania
Coz 365 and New York 5S9,051. IN 1920 the
totals were: Virginia, 1865. 116; Pennsylvania,
1.O47, 5O7; New York, 1872. Ill. Texas when
annexed by act of Congress in 1915 had fewer
than 100000 inhabitants, and West Virginia
when separated from Virginia in 1868 had
about 100000. Utah, the forty-fifth state adj
mitted, after waiting forty years for statehood
had population Of only 250000.
Nearly all the other new states of the West
and Northwest were, when admitted, sparsely
settled and meagrcly developed. North Dakota
had 1878 inhabitants in lS9O-shortly after
admission-and South Dakota 32S,S0S. Wash
ington had 349390 But Montana had only 49,
100 in 1890, Idaho S4.;;S5 ana Wyoming G0.Io5.
Nevada. admitted in 1864. had only 1885 in
habitants in 1900 Oklahoma is giant beside
these pygmy commOuwcalhS. Ranking forty
sixth in seniority in the federal family, the new
state stands twenty fifth. or higher. in popula-
ton. outnumbering Maryland. and perhaps pass
ing Arkansas. South Carolina and Louisiana
Rich in agricultural resources and with an alert
enterprisng and intelligent population. Okla
hOma will continue to forge ahead among its
Southwestern neighbOrS.
The creation of this new commonwealth adds
seven votes to the Electoral College. That
body will have In 1908 Il membership of 4S3
compared with 476 in 1904 and AT in 1900. The
majority necessary to a choice of President and
Vice President will be increased from $50 II
242 OF the five new seats in the lower branch
of Congress four will be filled by Democrats
and both Senators will also be Democrats. The
state is Republican in the section bordering on
Kansas. but the Indian Territory part is heav'
ily Democratic with strong Populistic ten
denotes. In national politics 1t will probably be
! Democratic, rejecting present day tendencies In
/ Arkansas and Texas, and in Democratic FAC
!. tional contests will side strongly with Mr.
! Bryan and the ultra -radicals. Colonel Heury
Watterson said not long ago that there wert
no Democrats in Oklahoma"-at least, none
whom he could recognize as Democrats. But
the hcyv state will doubtless outgrow the po
Itical vagaries which it cultivates and
which once fourisEcd also in the two common
wealths exerting the greatest influence on It's
political and social observation-disclosures and
!