Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-11-22
The Forty-Sixth State.

Oklahoma, which became State OF the
Federal Union at noon last Saturday, has
population estimated at l 1850. 900, which is
about l7C, 900 in excess of the population OF
Maryland by the census of 1900. Out OF the
new State seven States could be carved, each
one of which would be nearly as large as the
State of Maryland. Oklahoma 10, in fact,
one of the largest States of the Union, being
of as great extent as the whole OF New Eng
land and New Jersey combined and $4,000
square miles greater than tho great State OF
Pennsylvania. Oklahoma is destined to be
one of the wealthiest Of the agricultural States.
1t is the meeting place OF the cotton belt, the
wheat and corn belt and the cattle ranges.
The land produces more cotton to the acre
than the land OF any State, and the yield OF
wheat and corn is also unsurpassed. The new
State comes into the Union fully equipped
for Statehood. II has 5000 teachers in the
elementary schools, 100000 school children
and State University II has 222 national
banks and many private banking houses.
The surplus and capital of the national banks
is about $40, 10000 and there are 1889
manufacturing establishments, with capital
of 80, 100000 There are more than 100000
farms, worth $277, 900, 900. In 1900 the
illiteracy of Oklahoma Territory was almost
as low in percentage az that OF Massachusetts,.
The mineral recources Of tho State are rich,
including coal, petroleum, gold, iron, salt,
copper and gypsum. The white population
comes largely from the neighboring States OF
Kansas, Missouri and Texas and the people
are mainly of native-born American stock,
Southerners predominating. In the slavery
days the Indians Of Indian Territory, which
Ia now included in the new State, owned
considerable number Of slaves, and this &C
counts for the negro population OF nearly
40, 900.
It has now been dozen years since the
last State was admitted, which was Utah,
admitted In January, 1895 and now State.
making is nearing the end, unless there 10
subdivision OF existing States, which 10 un-
likely. When Texas entered the Union she
reserved the right to divide into five States,
and the time may possibly come when that
reserved right will be exercised, but 80 far
there is no sign Of it. Only two Territories
now remain in the continental limits OF the
United States, exclusive Of Alaska, out Of
which States can be manufactured, aud
these two Territories are New Mexico and
Arizona The rapid growth OF Alaska In
population and wealth may sooner or later
raise the question of the admission OF States
disconnected from the Unitel States. Pos
sibly we may have also In the future some
island States and some think that the first
of these to be admitted will be carved ont Of
Cuba. The Hawaiian Islands and Porto
Rico are both ambitious and may in d shor
time be knocking at the door for ADM sslon
Oklahoma is the forty-sixth State, and 1t
is the first for many years that has not been
admitted for purposes Of partisan advantages.
As far as can be seen now, Oklahoma Is
Democratic State, and 1t has been admitted
by a Republican Congress and Republican
Administration.