Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17
SOLDIERS ARE BARRED
Forbidden the Right of Suffrage
in Oklahoma.
MANY STRONG PROTESTS
Against the Constitution Adopted by
the Convention.
THE PRESIDENT APPEALED TO
Believe He Will Refuse Approval of
Constitution After Reading
but One Clause.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
GUTHRIE, Okla, March 16-"No officer,
soldier or marine of the regular army
navy of the United States shall be entitled
to vote at any election in this state; pro-
vided that this section shall not be con-
strued to include members and officers of
the state militia
No provision thus far adopted by the con-
stitutional convention has met with such
prolonged storm of opposition the
above. In passing it over the protests of
the minority, or republican, members of the
convention the democrats have stirred up
hornets nest, and from ill portions of
the new state the protests are coming, es-
pecialy from men who have seen service
in either the volunteer or regular branches
of the army and navy. The protests. how
ever. are made too late, for the provision
has been adopted by the convention and
signed by President William H. Murray,
and the matter now rests with President
Roosevelt.
IF there were nothing else in the consti-
tuition that would cause the colonel to
turn it down. that one provision Is sufh-
Gent This was the statement made by
Chris Madsen. who served sixteen years in
the regular army in addition to the volun-
teer service that he performed as one of
that the boys will tell him all about it and
will carry their protests to him, for it is a
shame and a disgrace to treat the Amerl-
can soldier in such manner. The idea of
a sauaw-man from the Chickasaw nation,
one who gained his citizenship there by in
termarrying with an Indian, to place his
brand of citizenship above that of one who
has seen thirty years service fighting for
his country.
When asked If President Roosevelt would
be appealed to in this matter, Mr. Madsen
replied: He has already been told of 1t.
Madsen is at the present time serving as
chief deputy United States marshal of Okla
homa under John r. Alternately, the wolf
catcher. Madsen's sixteen years service In
the regular army, prior to the Cuban war,
made him valuable member of the Rough
Rider Regiment and he became close per-
sonal friend of the President He has no
other idea than that 1.-The colonel will re-
fuse to approve the constitution after read
ing that one clause.
DISTINGUISHES Heavy Taxpayers.
Former soldiers in the army and men,
bers of the navy are Joined in their pro-
tests by the fathers whose sons are now
serving honorably in one of these branches,
and also by the retired army officers, of
whom there are many within the two ter
ritories In and around Fort Sill and Fort
Reno are several men of prominence who
are on the retired list, but who are subject
to the Presidents call for active service.
These men, under the provision adopted
by the convention, are barred from voting.
1t happens that some of these retired
army officers among the biggest tax
payers in the localities where they reside.
This is true in the case of Maj. Dick Lyons
of FL Reno and Gen. Ira l.. Reeves of Mus
kogee. The formers property in Oklahoma
is above the hundred-t housand-dollar mark
in value making him a heavy taxpayer in
FL Reno and Canadian county. Gen.
Reeves is owner of the Muskogee street
car system, besides being interested largely
in other enterprises in the Indian Territory.
Neither of these men, although big tax
payers, can vote under the state cOnSt1tu-
ton, II adopted.
1t happens, too. that often the govern
ment sends to Oklahoma and Indian Ter
ritory a retired army officer in charge of
some branch of the federal service, partic-
ularly in the Indian service Maj. Stouch
served many years as agent for the Chey-
enneS and ArapahOeS, and Maj. Randlett as
agent for the Kiowas and Comanches. At
the present time Col. McChesney is serving
as a member of the Usage Indian allottng
commission. None of these men, however,
In case they desired to declare Okla homa
their home, could vote.
Delegates Son in Army.
Delegate j. ]. Quarles of the Usage ma
ton has a son in the army at the present
time Mr.. Quarles is democrat but he
protested against this provision. stating
that in his opinion his son, although
soldier has as good right and is just as
competent to vote, should he be at home
when an election is held, any person to
whom the franchise is extended under the
proposed constitution
Two other democratic delegates protested
in vain against the incorporation OF this
clause in the Observation-Disclosures Henry
S. Johnston of Perry, and Delegate Tom
Leahy of Pawhuska. Both made speeches
against the report of the suffrage commit
tee because it contained this provision
barring soldiers and sailors from voting.
That is the very reason that | do favor
the report" declared President Murray, in
opposition to Johnston and Leahy. The
civil and military branches should always
be separated, and ] am tired of having to
bow continually to the soldiery. favor the
committee report, just it is written, In
regard to this one provision. and am glad
IL does bar soldiers and sailors in the reg