Evening star., 1907-11-16
STATE OFFICERS SWORN IN
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES HELD AT
GUTHRIE.


Impressive ceremonies beGtting the birth
Of the new state of Oklahoma. the oaths
of office were administered to Gov.
Charles \. Haskell and other state off,
GERS few minutes before noon today.
The ceremonies took place in front OF the
Carnegie Library entrance, there being no
state building here.
Following prayer by a clergyman. the
proclamation of President Roosevelt ad-
1nltting Oklahoma and Indian Territory
TO state hood was read by Charles FilSon.
secretary of Oklahoma Territory
After the playing of THE Star Spangled
Banner by a band of Cherokee Indian
BOYS Coy. Haskell walked to the center
OF the platform. where the oath OF ofhce
was administered by Leslie Il. Niblack.
Payment of ''Dilatory Debtor"
Turning To the crowd which closed in
from every direction. Gov. Haskell said:
This day the sun has lighted the path
way of a million and a half people emerg-
ing from the disorder and discomfort of
bureaucratic government, restricted to the
point OF heplessness and neglected to the
limit OF oppression, into condition or
liberty in salf-govr rnmeut we are not
assembled here to worship the public OF
1icer who conceded us our rights, particu-
larIy when we reflect that long ago, from
every standpoint of population, wealth
and intelligence of this era We were en-
titled To all the blessings and privileges OF
statehood, and not to thank the public Of
fcers in overgraciouS terms who have
finally performed long and unjustiy de
ferred duty would be in the nature OF
hugging the feet of a dilatory debtor VINO
finally pays his just inde btedness
Gov Haskell discussed the relations
between the state and federal govern
ments. and continued:
Regard for the Constitution.
1t is with regret that We notice dis
position on the part of some high in au-
tbority to look upon the Constitution of
the United States itself even little
thing. to be used when 1t meets the wish
of its executor and to be construed and
bended when at variance. There is no
more dangerous practice 10 be tolerated
in any public officer. l care not whether
he bend il for good purpose or for a
bad purpose. than to assume the rlSht 10
construe the Constitution from time 10
time 10 meet his own desires. Ihose
anxious To centraltZe power in the federal
government must blush when they review
the conditions under which We have lived
for Years our freight rates are double
those in the adjoining states. The lum-
Der trust the coal trust and other Ike
combinations have fattened by unrestrlct-
ed robbery of our people. II federal con-
d
has il proven SO utterly inefficient IN a
territory?
GOV. Haskell dwelt at length upon what
h. termed the oppression of the country
by the trusts, and then discussed the
financial situation, saying:
Would Close Stock Exchange.
You can look for immediate relief
where YOU please When you tire of look
ing elsewhere you will agree with me
that the quickest road to financial relief
is 10 cIost. the New York Stock Exchange
and free the currency that it dominates
and turn it into the channels of legitimate
commerce.
Let the eastern banks pay our Okla
hOma banks what they owe them and
should pay in currency on demand and
W. can market our produce now ready for
the huNer and vastly increase our own
wealth.
GOV. Haskell >. .Cmised fair treatment Of
the railroads.
But. he added. Il hope that the rail-
roads Will assume that official conduct in
Oklahoma is like unto a court of equity
where Justice Is to be meted out to all
and that these railroads expecting justice
in that court of equity should enter that
court with their own hands clean, and to
make them clean l trust they will begin
H. ubeyin9 the laws Of Oklahoma
New Senators Named.
When he had finished the governor an
nounced the appointment of Robert l..
Owens of MuSkogee and Thomas z. Gore
OF Lawton as United States senators.
A parade was then formed and marched
To IL park on The outskirts Of the city.
where an immense crowd waited 70 bacon
an Indian barbecue. a feature suggested
by Coy. Haskell The ,arade Inc .ud II
sixteen carriages occupied by officers.
members of the legislature and other
E,.. ,;- 6