Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-03-21
THE WORKS. DONE
Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
Has Finished Its Labor
After lis Days.
HAS MANY NEW FEATURES
VIII Be Submitted to the People Of
the Two Territories August Q,
for Ratification Or Re-
lection.

state constitution TO be produced un
der modern conditions, that intended
for the proposed new state Of Okla
homa, has finally been drafted here
The constitutional convention finished
its work Friday and adjourned after
having been in session lis days. The
constitution will be submitted to the
people Of the two territories at q
special election on August 9th. One
Of the last acts OF the convention
was to appoint committee to solicit
funds to pay the expenses of the cleo
ton, the convention having exhausted
practically all the money appropriated
by congress.
The convention was overwhelmingly
democratic, being composed of 100
democrats and IL republicans.
Probably the mast important measure
killed by the convention was the pro-
vision relative to separate coaShes
for whites and negroes although the
democrats had been pledged to insert
1t. Several delegations alleged on the
convention floor that President Roose-
velt would reject the constitution II
the "Jim Crow" provisions were adopt
ed. and warning letters were sent del
egates by Senators Tillman and Pet
tus and others.
Woman suffrage was defeated by
few votes.
The initiative and referendum, pat
termed after the Oregon law, was
adopted, as was provision providing
for the nomination of all state Off
GERS and United States senators by
primaries.
Succession In state offices is pro-
hibited, and 1t Is provided that the sen.
ate committee shall not be named
by the lieutenant governor but be
selected by the body itself.
Oklahoma will be a prohibition state,
the most stringent liquor law in exist
ence, prohibiting not only the sale,
but the introduction of liquor into the
state, being provided for. The enab-
ling act provided that Indian territory
must accept prohibition for q years.
The convention provided that the
whole state shall vote on the ques-
ton and there is no doubt that the
terms of the enabling act will be made
uniform over the whole state.
Provision is made for a state rail
way commission, to be elective, and
q two-cent passenger fare is ordered. |
Railway companies are prohibited |
from owning any productive agency
Of natural commodity. a provision
particularly intended to cover coal
ands.
A fellow servant law is embodied
n the constitution.
Corporations are prohibited from
'wning more land than is absolutely
in the operation of their
business.
The issuance Of watered stock is
and the books of all corpor-
itions are made subject to inspection
It all times.
The organization Of corporations to
Zeal In real estate outside of the incor
'orated cities is prohibited.
A commission is appointed to nego-
ate the purchase Of the segregated
mineral lands in the Indian Territory
alued at many millions of dollars and
tate ownership and operation of the ,
pal miners thereon is contemplated.
The legal rate of interest is fixes
t six percent and the contract rate
ten per cent,
A committee is appointed to nego !,
ystem Is established.
Commissions are created on labor
nd arbitration, charities, Insurance, =,
llroads, agriculture, oil, gas and ,
lines.
The state is divided into rs coun
es,, 81 judicial districts, Al senatorial
lstricts and los legislative districts.
The state seal adopted is a com
nation of the present seal of Ok
homa and the seals of the nations Of
lie five civilized tribes.
A majority vote is required to
mend the constitution.
COERCING MINERS. [