Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-29
OKLAHOMA IS READY,
Proposed Constitution to Be
y Voted on by the People.
MOST UP TO DATE ON EARTH,

"dnJ OF tne Latest improvements"
Adopted-lnitiative and Referendum.
Prohibition of Liquor Traffic-Water-
ed Stock Also Made Illegal.
The spirit of the times and the eX-
perience of the people in the last score
of years are reflected in the constitu
ton for the new state of Oklahoma,
the only state constitution to be pro-
duced under modern conditions. The
work is finished. The constitutional
convention has adjourned after being
in session 1l5 days.
The agitation against corporations
has left its mark, many parts of the
constitution being devoted to restric-
tons of the corporations, designed to
prevent the possibility of their dOmina-
ton in state affairs.
Public ownership and operation of
coal mines in the state is projected.
The constitution will be submitted to
the people of Oklahoma and Indian
territories at Il special election Aug. 6.
One of the last acts of the convention
was to appoint Il committee to solicit
funds TO pay the expenses of the cleo
ton, the convention having exhausted
practically all the money appropriated
by congress.
If the constitution is ratified. some
very modern applications of present
day reforms will be tried in the new
state.
The convention was overwhelmingly
Democratic being composed of 100
Democrats and twelve Republicans.
Probably the most important meas
ure killed by the convention was the
provision relative to separate coaches
for whites and negroes. although the
Democrats had been pledged to insert
it Several delegates alleged on the
convention floor that President Roose-
welt would reject the constitution if
the Jim Crow" provision We're adSpt-
ed, and warning letters were sent dele
gates by Senators Til:maG and PettuS
and others.
Woman suffrage was defeated by a
few votes.
The initiative and referendum, pat
termed after the Oregon law. was
adopted. as was a provision for the
nomination of all state officers and
United States senators by primaries.
Succession in state offices is prOhib-
tied, and it is provided that the senate
committees shall not be named by the
lieutenant governor, but be selected by
the body itself.
Oklahoma will be 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 en-
ablinG act provided that Indian Terri
tory must accept prohibition for TWEEN
ty-one years. The convention provided
that the whole state shall vote on the
question. and there is no doubt that
the terms of the enabling act will he
made uniform over the whole state.
Provision is made for q state railwa.
commission. to he elective. and a two
cent passenger fare is ordered.
Railway companies are prohibited
from owning any productive agency OF
a natural commodity. a provision par
ticularly intended to cover coal lands.
4 fellow servant law is embodied in
the constitution.
Corporations are prohibited from
owning more land than is absolutely
necessary in the operation of their
business.
The issuance of watered stock is
prohibited, and the books of all cor
poratiOns are made subject to inspec.
tiOn at all times.
The organization of corporations to
deal in real estate outside of incor.
porated cities is prohibited
a commission is appointed to nego
tate the purchase of the segregated
mineral lands in the Indian Territory
valued at many millions of dollars
and state ownership and operation OF
the coal mines thereon are contem
plated.
The legal rate Of interest is fixed al
6 per cent and the contract rate at Il
per cent.
A compulsory and separate schoo
system is established.
Commissions are created on labor
and arbitration. charities, insurance
railroads, agriculture, oil, gas anC
mines.
The state is divided into seventy-fvt
counties. twenty-one judicial districts
forty-one senatorial districts and 10;
legislative districts
The state seal adopted is a combins
ton of the present seal of Oklahoma
and the seals of the nations of the
five civilized tribes.
A majority vote is required to amend
the constitution.
Japanese For Canada.
A scheme is on foot for creating