Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-17
GOVERNOR HASKELL ATTACKS
IDEA OF FEDERAL CONTROL
Ry Associated Press.

| Ry Associated Press
| GUTHRIE. Okla. Nov. 16-With i'm
pressive ceremonies BETTING the birth of
the new state, Oklahoma, the oath Of
office was administered to Governor
Charles N. Haskell and other state Off
cials a few minutes before noon today.
The executive oath was given by Leslie
| G.. Niblack, newspaper man. The GER
| enones took place on the steps of the
Carnegie library. there being no state
building here. Following prayer by a
clergyman, the proclamation of Presi-
dent Roosevelt admitting Oklahoma and
Indian Territory into the Union was read
| by Charles Filson, secretary of Okla
| homa territory. band of Cherokee
Indian boys then played 1.-THE Star
| Spangled Banner"
| Governor Haskell walked forward to
the center of the platform, where he was
met by Mr.. Nlblack, and took the formal
oatn with uplifted hands. turning to the
crowd that closed In from every direc-
ton, Governor Haskell delivered the in
augural address. He said:
Governors Address
"In its course through the day the sun
will have lighted the pathway of a mil
lion and half people emerging from the
disorder and the discomfort of bureau
cratic government restricted to the point
1t of oppression into condition of lib-
erty and self-government.
1--WE are not assembled here to worship
the public officer who ultimately con-
ceded us our rights, especially when we
reflect that long ago from every stand
point of population wealth and intelli-
gence, this territory was entitled to all
the blessings and privileges of statehood,
and now to thank the public officers in
overgracious terms who have finally
performed a long and unjustly deferred
duty would be in the nature of hugging
| the feet of a dilatory debtor who finally
pays his just Indebtedness"
Governor Haskell discussed the rela-
tions between the state and federal gov
ernments and continued:
ut is with regret that we notice a
disposition on the part of some high In
authority to look upon the constitution
Of the United States itself as even a lit
tie thing. to be used when 1t meets the
wish of its executor and to be construed
and bonded when at variance with his
will.
"There is no more dangerous practice
to be tolerated in any public officer.
care not whether he bend II for a good
purpose or bad purpose, than to assume
the right to construe the constitution
from time to time to meet his own de-
sires.
Against Central Power
Those anxious to centralize power ir
the federal government must blush wher
they view the conditions under which
we have lived for years. Our freight
rates are double those in adjoining
states. The lumber trust, the coal trust
and other like combinations are fattenet
by Industrial robbers of our people. II
federal control is such a good thing in g
state why has it proven so utterly IN
efficient in a territory?"
Governor Haskell dwelt at length upor
what he termed the oppression of thu
country by the trusts and then discussed
the financial situation. saying:
"You can look for immediate reliei
wherever you please. When you tire o.
looking elsewhere, you will agree will
me that the quickest road to financia
relief is to close the New York stock ex
change and free the currency that i
dominates and turn II into the channell
Of legitimate commerce. Let the eastern
banks pay our Oklahoma banks wha
they owe them and pay In currency OF