Daily Arizona silver belt., 1907-11-22

Oklahoma has just become the forty sixth State inthe Union. This event is being discussed with much interest throughout the West. The past and present conditions in this new Common wealth are being entrusted in many quarters, and politicians, manufactur- CTS, cattlemen, farmers, and miners are each interested in some phase of its af- fairs.
 The new State, which is made up of the Territory of Oklahoma and the In. dian Territory, contains an area of 70,- i30 square miles. 1t is, therefore, larg- CT than the States of Ohio and Indiana combined, and will have an estimated population of l,500,000, which is greater than that of any one of twenty-three of the States of the Union.
 The residents of Oklahoma have de- sired to enter the combination of States with constitution that would be not only unlike many others, but also one that would properly safeguard their in
 
 stitutional convention with that pur- pose in view, and the constitution. they agreed on has been accepted by the President
 There have been humorous comments because the people of Oklahoma dis eussed so many topices in their con stitutional convention and desired to in- corporate so many 'planks' in it. Nevertheless, the general opinion will be that they showed excellent judg- ment.
 The inhabitants of Oklahoma have learned much from the experience of other States. If they, therefore, de- eide that they want sober commuuni- ties and require prohibition, which was put into the constitution, that is their business. Besides, they have many thousand Indians to whom they do not care to give the privilege of buying liquors. The State is, therefore, sup posed to be "dry" one for twenty. one years.
 Eight per cent of the legal voters have the right to propose any legisla. tive measure, and fifteen per cent may propose amendments to the constitution by petition.
 The referendum may be ordered, ex- cept as to laws necessary for the imme- diate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, by five per cent of the legal voters or by the legislature. Referendum petitions must be filed with the secretary of state not more than ninety days after the adjournment of the legislature. This provision is also extended to cover municipalities as well as the State.
 This referendum clause in a consti- tuition may sometimes prove of great value. In times of popular excitement over grave problems which arise in state or municipal affairs, the referen- dunn, if it can be invoked, gives the citizens an opportunity to express their views. Many very objectionable laws would never have been placed OF the statute book if the taxpayers could have had voice in the matter through the referendum.
 Manufacturers and miners will be come more interested in this new State now because it is rich in natural re- sources and is destined to become very wealthy Commonwealth. The farming lands in some portions are worth s75 per acre, and all the products of the temperate zone flourish in every coun- ty. The state is full of mineral wealth.
 Politicians are also interested in the state. It is now democratic, but the federal government has much new pat i ronage in it. Federal judges and Unit ed States marshals and also l,500 post masters are to be appointed.--Boston Globe.