Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-17
THE FoRrY.sixrH STAR ON the
FLAG

me united States now has forty
SIN states within ita group and ON
July 18th next year, tho time called for
lT law, tho stars and strpes win have
another star added TO the blue square.
oklahoma, the latest acquisition
comes :nio the federal government
under unusually bright auspices. The
new state, which Ia made up of the
territory of oklahoma and Indian tyr
ritory, contains an era OF 7O,430 square,
miles. 1t is, therefore. larger than
OHIO and Indiana combined. ana will
nave an estimated population of H..
100000. which Ia greater than anyone
OIL twchtythvec statcs Of the union.
Tho residents OF Oklahoma desired
TO enter the combination OF states
with constitution that would not on.
~ be unlike any others, but also on
That would properly safeguard thch
interests. They held a constitutions
convention with that Wow In end. and
the constitution they agreed on was
yesterday accepted by President
Rooacvclt. There have been numc-
GUS comments because the people Of
Oklahoma discussed 80 many topics
In their constitutional convention aud
desired 10 incorporate 10 many
"planka' in il. Nevertheless the gen.
era! opinion Is that they showed tx
ccilcnt judgement. Tho inhabitants
OF Oklahoma learned much from the
experience OF other states. and II they,
therefore decided that they wanted so
her communities and require prohibi.
t!on, which was put into their constl.
tuition that was their business. De
sldc. they have many thousands Of
Indians TO whom thoy do not care TO
give tho privilege of buying liquors
whenever the desire to do 80 would
posscBs them.
ny tho constitution of tho state.
eight per cent. of the legal voters
have the right TO propose any legisla:
tive measure. and 10 per cent. may
propose amendments TO the constitu.
ton. Tho referendum may hc order.
ed except rs to laws necessary for
tho immediate preservation of the
public peace. health or safety By iiye
per cent of the voters or by the leg
islaturc Referendum petitions must
be filed With tho secretary of state
not moro than 30 days after the nd
iournmeut OF the legislature This
referendum clausc may some time
prove to be of great value. In tlmcs
OF popular excitement over grave
problems which arise in state or mu-
nicipal affairs tho referendum, Il 1t
can be invoked. gives the citizens an
opportunity TO express their views
Many very Objectionable laws
would never have passed II the
Taxpayers could have had n voice in
the matter through the referendum.
The fear is often expressed that
Oklahoma has gone too far in its
constitutional requirements that the
railroad and other corporations shall
give the fullest publicity of their do
ines in the state. On the contrary.
this is the very thing that should be
done. There are about $500 miles OF
railroads and the management OF these
lines; should not expect protection aud
patronage unless they will comply
with the laws. Railroad fares are
fixed ut two cents mile, set ii the
loads cannot meet expenses with that
charge, changes will II made
Manufacturers and miners will be-
como more Interested III this new
state now, because it is rich in nat
ural resources and is destined TO be-
como a very wealthy commonwealth.
politicians are also much Interested
in tho state, 1t is now Democratic
but the federal government has much
patronage for IT, us it has the nam
ing of Judges. marshals and 1900 post
masters.
Oklahoma has many natural adyau-
lagcs and seems to be pcoplcd by cit
liens who take the llvellest sort OF
interest IN the affairs OF dhe state
and federal governments. They are
worry proud of their new statehood.
and all indications are that they will
in every way prove TO be worthy OF
the trust reposcd in them.
Welcome to the forty.sixth star on
the f1aG.
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