The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-05-16
THE CONSTITUTION OF OKLA
HOMA

HOMA.
The Constitutional Convention of
Oklahdhma, after all, may have labor
ed in vain. The convention, our read
ers will readily recall, was composed
CT ninety democrats and about twelve
republicans, at least twelve men put
down as Republicans simply because
they refused to be enrolled as demo
Gratis, Southern republican is one
generally male, who for various rea-
sons, which, usually, he desires to
conceal, desires not to be classed as q
democrat, more especially if at the
time the question as to politics arises
the republican party has in charge the
dispensing of all the political patron
age. This definition we are not afraid
to risk before kings. Be that as it
may, the convention of Oklahoma was
about the most radical conclave of the
nineteenth century, in view of the re-
pose OF the country at the time of it's
meeting. The democrats put every
thing in their state instrument especi.
ally forbidden by the Constitution of
the United States; and left out such
provisions. as would not conflict with
the organic law. So we wonder not
that the President of the United States
IS considering now whether or not he
would be compelled to speak out about
this document If it was sent to him
for approval, as it will have to be, af,
ter being submitted to the people for
ratification.
The Constitution calls for a demo-
CRATIC, geErymaader,a SO hapsh a as to
make 1t impossible for the republican
party to control the state government
though it wins the election by a popu-
lar majority OF $4,000 The Negro is
the especial target Of the Constitution
makers. Against him there is every
form Of discriminatory law, from a
prohibition against Negro men marry
ing white women, to the separate
school law tax, taking in this sweep
the Jim Crow" car law, and the
infringement Of every civil right guar.
anteed by the Fourteenth amendment
TO the Constitution. 1t was on,y by
hounds tooth that the Negro escaped
exclusion from the ballot altogether.
No one denies that the provision re-
garoing the five months school term
is not expressly aimed at the Negro
pupils. The document rails hard at
corporations, provides for the initiative
and referendum, and places a limita-
ton upon the collection of taxes for
educational purposes. For these rea.
sons, the President has called a con.
ference of republican leaders of the
southwest to meet him and Mr.. Secre.
tary Taft, who will speak for the Okla
homa republicans at Tusla in.June, in
washington. BY this time that confer
ence has met and adjourned At this
writing we are unable to indicate the
outcome of it. We do believe. howey-
er, that those upon whom the Presi.
dent has called will advise him prop
erly in these circumstances
We can but believe that the presi.
dent viii not fail to speak out against
so outrageous a document as the Okla.
homa democrats seek to perpetrate I'D.
| on the citizens Of both territories, for
there are tens Of thousands of citizens
IN those territories bitterly opposed
70 1t, and, in large measure, they rep
resent the best to be found in the life
OF either territory. 1t we're better that
these territories remained outside the
s1Sterhood Of states If they are to be
driven In under so drastic a Constit,,.
ton. The Negroes out there represent
large intelligence and great wealth.
and they ought to have had some voice
IN the making of the Constitution I'm.
der which they must live. But they
did not have it. Now they appeal to
the President and the lea Jers of their
party to defeat the purposes of those
VINO aimed at their reduction TO
| quaSi-Servitude. They have good
grounds Of appeal, and we believe that
Trey Will be heard. 1t would be moth.
ir'G mort Of ar outrage If the Constitu.
ten OF '.blaLoma, 40 II now stands.
was allowed to prevail.