The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-28
THE ELEVENTH HOUR CENSUS.

Jobs for one thousand Oklahoma
census takers are now ON tap. There
is $4,000 OF good Federal coin from
Washington to foot the bills. Who
taps the till end what IS IL tapped for?
Is there juice In IL to revive the fail.
ing and dilapidatee Republican oppo-
sition to the constitution. statehood
and progress? Seventy thousand
spread out TO one thousand good
sturdy heelers, just preceding an
election. Is n goodly piece Of dope.
but not big enough to buy the people
OF this grand new state.
There was no money at Washington
TO aid in paying the legitimate ex-
penses OF this election, neither was
there willingness to authorize their
payment by the territory, but there
appears TO be money to burn in send
Ing out 1000 OF the select to take a
census during "a state campaign.
when the returns must manifestly
come in too late TO possibly aid the
convention in its apportionment or
for any other purpose.
Il Is hardly conceivable that the
President would desire to Judge the
apportionment In the light of inform
alton, which is withheld from those
who were charged with making it,.
Is II possible that a national admin.
istration would resort to such an un-
just and unreasonable procedure as
that? Local Republicans say II is.
But II that is not the purpose what
Is the purpose which injects $4,000
of Federal money into the new state
campaigng
Had this census been taken in time
for the use of the convention in max
ing the legislative apportionment. had
IL been made and used for a basis
OF the congressional apportionment
OF the Enabling Act, thus giving Ok
lahoma eight representatives instead
OF five and furnishing the convention
an Official census upon which to base
its work. the case might have showl
up in different light.
Republicans here charge that Il Is
being made to show up the so-called
Democratic gerrymander. There Is
nothing in this legislative apportion
ment that Democrats are unwilling
to have made known. The apportioa
ment was made as fair and equitable
as was possible with the Information
at hand and in the absence of an offi
cial census upon which 10 base their
work
Now comes a census timed exactly
so that the returns will be In ready
for the eleventh hour Republican cam
paign purposes. IL puts a thousanC
paid servants IN the field. II injects
the whole power Of the national ad
ministration into the local issues be
fore the people of the new state. 1,
this a sample of the square deal?"
However II will avail nothing. The
people OF Oklahoma are contendinl
for the boon of self-goveTnment undel
a constitution OF their own making
In this they are prompted by the loft
est motives that inspire men TO noble
deeds and patriotic devotion M
petty Federal slush fund can moy,
them. They have chosen course
they have made a constitution: an,
determined to add the 46th star 10 th,
flag aud $4,000 OF Federal pap cal
not stop them.
The Democratic party of Oklahom
stands squarely for the constitution
and statehood with all that they i'm
ply. They stand ready to meet all Oh
position. The constitution will go u
70 the President The citizens OF Oh
lahoma will then have done thei
part and IL viii remain for the Pres
dent TO do his part under the expires
terms OF the Enabling Act. He an
the party he represents must bear th
responsibility for his action lie wi
not refuse 10 make the require
proclamation.