The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-03-22
THE WORK IS DONE
Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
Has Finished Its Labor
After lis Days.
HAS MANY NEW FEATURES
VIII Be Submitted to the People of
the Two Territories August 6,
for Ratification Or Re.
lection.

Guthrie, Ok, March 16.-The only
state constitution to be produced un
der modern conditions, that intended
for the proposed new state of Okla
homa, has finally been drafted here
The constitutional convention finished
its work Friday and adjourned after
having been in session lis days. The
constitution will be submitted TO the
people. of the two territories at a
special election on August 9th. One
of the last acts of the convention
was to appoint committee to solicit
funds to pay the expenses of the cleo
ton, the convention having exhausted
practically all the money appropriated
by congress.
The convention was overwhelmingly
democratic, being composed of 100
democrats and II republicans.
Probably the mast important measure
killed by the convention was the pro-
vision relative to separate coashes
for whites and negroes although the
democrats had been pledged to insert
it, Several delegations alleged on the
convention floor that President Roose-
welt would reject the constitution if
the Jim Grow" provisions were adopt
ed, and warning letters were sent del
egates by Senators Tillman and Pet
tus and others.
Woman suffrage was defeated by
few votes.
The initiative and referendum. pat
termed after the Oregon law, was
adopted, as was provision providing
for the nomination of all state Off
GERS and United States senator's by
primaries
Succession in state offices is pro-
hibited. and it is provided that the SEN
ate committee shall not be named
~ the lieutenant governor but be
selected by the body itself.
Oklahoma will be prohibition state,
the most stringent liquor law in exist.
ence, prohibiting not only the sale,
but the Introduction of liquor into the
state, being provided for The enab-
ling act provided that Indian territory
must accept prohibition for 81 years.
The convention provided that the
whole state shall vote on the ques-
tion and there is no doubt that the
terms of the enabling act will be made
uniform over the whole state.
Provision is made for a state rail
way commission, to be elective, and
two-cent passenger fare is ordered.
Railway companies are prohibited
from owning any productive agency
of natural commodity, provision
particularly intended to cover coal
lands.
A fellow servant law is embodied
in the constitution.
Corporations are prohibited from
owning more land than is absolutely
necessary in the operation of their
business.
The issuance of watered stock is
prohibited and the books of all corpor-
ations are made subject to inspection
at all times.
The organization of corporations to
uedi Ill real estate OuISiue OIL lHe luCOr-
porated cities is prohibited.
A commission is appointed to nego-
tate the purchase of the segregated
mineral lands in the Indian Territory,
valued at many millions of dollars and
state ownership and operation of the
coal miners thereon is contemplated.
The legal rate of interest is fixed
at six percent and the contract rate
at ten per cent. &
A committee is appointed to nego
system is established.
Commissions are created on labor
and arbitration. charities. insurance,
railroads, agriculture, oil, gas and
mines
The state is divided into rs coun.
ties, Il judicial districts, Al senatorial
districts and los legislative districts.
The state seal adopted is a COM
bnation of the present seal of ok
lahoma and the seals of the nations of
the five civilized tribes.
A majority vote is required to
amend the constitution.