The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-03-19
HON. ROBERT L. OWEN
FOR u. S. SENATOR
Brilliant Muskogee Man Makes Formal Announce
ment of His Candidacy

Hon. Robert i. Owen Of Mus<ogee,
has formally nnDSsnced his candida.
cy to the United States senate. aud
viii enter at once npon an active
cappaign Mr. Owen Is one of the
strongest men IN the indian Territory.
For twenty-five years he has been ac-
lively Identified with the develop
ment Of the territory. and has done
mr,a toward bringing about those
conditions which gave us an enabling
act. Owen is a bralny man. He is
cultured. refined and OF senatorial
depth. There is no blarney about
Owen. He is a gentleman in every
sense of the term. and would prove
~ able representative OF the new
1hte at Washington. He is intellec-
'.inal. well read and talks fluently on
an pnblic questions. He is no faddist
and takes on none Of those artificial
eccentricities which mark some can
didates. He Is cordial appToachable.
but not given to gush. He dresses
correctly and does not seek to give on
the Impression. as do some candidates,
that he is a wild and woody" speci
men OF IT, throbbing Southwest.
Owen has a right 10 ask for place
as one OF the first senators Of the
new state Ee has contributed time
nnd money to the welfare of democ-
racy, and has been foremost in every
aiosefIent looking to the upbuilding
OF Oklahoma The Leader would like
much TO see Owen one of the two sen
ators. and the people OF the state will
share the Leaders views when they
come to know tile Muskogeeon. In
his address to voters. Mr.. Owen says
sFellow Citizens:
In seeking yu1r sgpport as candi-
date for the senate. Il seems proper
that n brief statement should be made
OF my opinions. especially in regard
to the services which seem necessary
TO be rendered to the people by the
United States senators of the new
state in local and national afNlirs
my attitude as a democrat is well !
known, as have served the party for
many years and in many why's, as an I
organizer as editor, and as delegate
IN national conventions. and as mem /
Der OF the democratic congressional |
campaign committee nnd Of The demo-
cratic national committee. as well as
vice chairman of orr last compaign
for election Of delegates to the CON
stitutional convention. believe in
the great democratic principle. Equal
rights for all. and special privileges
10 none
Il believe IN the sovereignty Of the
people. and therefore Il have worked
for the initiative and referendum, and
approve the mandatory primary. :,
In my opinion the highest function
Of government Is the promotion and
development Of the hrman race. The
OF men and women and
children shold take precedence over
mere money making. Neither avarlce
nor lust for power should be permit
ted 10 subject the weaker elements of
the nation &c vniust poverty or nm
suffering The ambition OF
statesman should be TO promote the
welfare. the happiness and content
ment OF the people
Il belieye that the restrictions on
the sale and lease Of lands belonging
10 Onr citizens, whether of Indian
blood or not, should be removed, and
the persons who are truly incompetent
should be protected by the probate
Iaw am thoroughly satisfied the
present restrictions do not really pro
iect those intended 10 be safeguard
ei
y. believe It should be the duty of
the senators OF the new state to in
alst upon congress Immediately remoy-
Ing the restrictions, flilblood home
sieads excepted. and thus removing
the federal officials who now domi
nate Indian Territory under instrue-
lions from Washington. The fact that
many OF these OFFICIALS are men of the
highest character in no wise modifios
this view.
= believe that we should have leg
islatIon providing for the Improvement
of Grand river and the Red river as
far Up as nlvigabie, to the end that
we may supplement reasonable rail-
road freight rates throughout the state
with cheap water transportation, so as
10 give the people Of this state an OPP
possnnity to ship their produce by the
cheapest route to the markets OF the
world. and 70 import. in like manner,
the things they need at the lowest
freight rate obtalnable
= believe that Indian Territory and
Oklahoma should have the federal
public buildings 20 which we are just
~ entitled by population and by fair
pro rata Of the distribution OF fcder-
al benefits. as compared with other
statsa $ In the Union.
= believe that the state should