The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-03-20
TO THE PEOPLE OF.
OKLAHOMA
o.

Having decided to enter the race
for nomination as candidate for Gov.
ernor Of the State Of Oklahoma, !
feel that II Is a duty that | owe to
those whose suffrage | seek. to state
frankly my position on questions az.
fecting the welfare OF the people Of
the state. No candidate for office
should leave the people in doubt as
to his views on public matters with
which he may have to deal. The vo-
ter has a right to know before he
casts his vote for what the candidate
stands; and II his policy is not sound
the voter should manifest his dlsap-
proval by voting against the candi-
date.
am a steadfast believer in the
fundamental principles OF the damo
cratic party: believe that the pros
perlty and happiness OF the masses
of our citizens are best secured by
the application of these principles In
government. 1t is my desire that the
ideas OF government. as embodied In
the principles of the democratic party
obtain in the State Of Oklahoma thus
insuring to each individual an equal
opportunity in the struggle for sue
cess.
Removal Of Restrictions.
One OF the most vital questions be-
fore the people of this commonwealth
and one In which people In every sec
tion of the state are interested. Is the
removal of restrictions. upon aliena-
tion of lands in the Indian Territory.
My views on this subject | have re-
Gently set forth in published letter.
without again going into the ques-
tion extensively, | will state that |
favor the removal of all restrictions
upon the sale of lands of allottees of
the Indian Territory. except a reas-
enable amount of lands OF full blood
Indians as homesteads. This policy
enacted into law will tend toward
the rapid development OF the state,
while, at the same time It will make
better and more self-reliant citizens
VI a large body Of our people.
Public Schools.
We should inaugurate public
school system as good as we can de
wise. It should be the constant boast
OF our people that no state III the I'm
ion gives more thought and care to
the education Of its children than
the state of Oklahoma. No better in
vestment OF the peoples money can
be made by any state than in the
maintenance Of splendid system OF
public schools
Educational matters In one half OF
the state are in a deplorable condi-
tion. Practically 10 free schools have
heretofore existed in Indian Terrific
ry, outside the Incorporated towns !;
and in many OF the towns the schools
in existence are entirely inadequate
to meet the demands of the people.
In this country there are thousands
of naturally bright boys and girls
and are doomed to a life of blighted
prospects for lack OF educational ad'
vantages. A system OF public
schools should be devised in keeping
with the progressive spirit Of the
state.
Separate schools should be pro.
vided for the negro children of the
new state where they can receive
the benefit of the public schools and
become more useful citizens. | am
opposed to what is known as mixed
schools"--schools where white chill
dren and negro children meet on q
common plane. Between the two
races in all social matters God has
created an impossible barrier, and
the man who advocates the breaking
down OF this barrier Is an enemy tc
both races.
Convict Labor.
The convict labor in the state, II
my Judgment. should as far as pos
sible. be employed on the public i'm
proyements. The crimes they com
nit are crimes against the state, anc
In atoning for these crimes their la
Dor should be so employed as to inur'
to the public benefit. BY following
this course, this class OF labor will
be practically removed from compe
tition with honest labor-a condi
tion to be most earnestly desired. Il
the Improvement of our roads the la
Dor OF hundreds of conyicts can b.