Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-05-18
Roosevelt Denies That He Re-
jeCted Work of Recent
New State Delegates.
PRESIDENT DISAPPROvES
OF MANY PROVISIONS
But There Is Question as to
Whether They Conflict With
Doctrines of Republic.

Washington D. c.. Nav 1S.-Neith-
er President Roosevelt nor the secre-
tary of war, Mr.. Taft, has ever auth
orized anyone to say that the presi-
dent would reject the Oklahoma con-
stitution or refuse to issue the proc
lamation admitting the new state IL
the proposed constitution were adopt
ed by the people.
1t is true that both the president
and Secretary of War Taft regard the
constitution as Objectionable In many
respects. As the leader of his party.
the president might suggest with full
propriety opposition of the people to
the constitution which would result
In its defeat.
If the constitution is not republican
In form, he would be required under
his oath and the enabling act to re-
fuse to recognize the new state. But
IN doing this he would have to cite
the instance or instances in which
the constitution did not provide for
republican form of government.
Ihat both the president and Secretary
Taft sanction the opposition of repub-
iican leaders in Oklahoma to the con-
stitution is true. But any statement
from whatever quarter that the pres
ident will disapprove the constitution
If adopted is without authority from
him or from his secretary of war.
In the heated contest which will
be precipitated in Oklahoma the diff
erence between opposition to the con-
stitution and the refusal on the part
or the president to accept the new
state under its constitution should be
clearly borne in mind. The gerry
mander undertaken I'm the constitu-
ton is Objectionable, but it is unre-
punblican? Another strong objection
urged to one Of the worst features of
"a fsNen f- fw.44k
poses.
While this objection might be suf-
ncient to warrant the president as
leader of his party, In declaring his
opinion that the people of Oklahoma
should turn down the constitution, 1t
clearly would not authorize hin, to
refuse the state admission 10 the
union. When the American, union
was formed there was not one of the
thirteen states which had made pro-
vision for public schools
The American public school system
is comparatively a recent provision.
only few years ago, many of the
southern states had made no provis-
ion for public schools. While the
failure of the trainers of the Okla
home constitution to provide for ade-
quate public schools might prove ca
lamitous, 1t would not be denial of
a republican form of government.
other states beside Oklahoma have
constitutions which in practical oper-
alton provide for gerrymanders.
Rhode Island Is such a state, and its
Infamous provisions have rendered IL
impossible 10 eliminate Aldrich from
the senate A town of 100, 900 in
tabtants in Rhode Island has one
vote In the legislature, and a town OF
zoo Inhabitants has a vote Connectf-
cut also is state which has consti-
al rtPn fgf1 VurI, ,fs,Gx
possible to overthrow its legislature.
the feature of the constitution
which appears to be thoroughly OBJ
Jectfonable from the administrative
viewpoint is the one which provides
that a court cannot punish FOR con-
tempt, but that the person charged
with a refusal to observe the edicts
OF the court can call for a trial by
jury This most Objectionable provis-
ion, while it will be bitterly opposed,
would not warrant the president in
refusing admission to the new state.
1t does not in itself do violence to re-
publican institutions however much
lt may hamper or render impossible
the orderly processes Of the courts.
II provisions should be found in
the constitution which would justly
the president In proclaiming that n
constitution unrepublican in form had
been proposed, IL is no violation of
confidence to assert that he would re-
fuse to recognize it.
Although the Oklahoma leaders had
apparently reached no definite con-
clusions as 10 policy with regard to a
state ticket in view Of the attitude
taken by the administration, 1T would
seem to be a loregOne conclusion that
they would nominate a Staye ticket
and organize politically - hsF. the
constitution.
To put 1t another way, II is Okla
homa's business 10 defeat an objec-
tionable constitution. In their op-
position 10 the constitution the re-
publicans who visited Washinton and
who are coming here again should
not be permitted to misrepresent the
attitude either of the president or the
secretary of war. Whatever they may
say in regard to certain Objectionable
features OF the constitution any in
timation that the president will de-
cline To admit the state Will be re-
pudiated