The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-15
OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION ROW
REPU6LICANS THREATEN TO TIE
UP STATEHOOD.
administrator Joins In Opposing the DOcu-
ment Drawn Up bya Convention Over
whelmingly DemOcratic-Tat 70 Open
the Fight IN . Speech on June @.

AUDDiklIbIEANlyt eBtttu rs OIPooAhb NaC
ment Drawn Up bya Convention Over
whelmlngly DemOeratIc-TaSt 20 Open
the Fight IN . Speech on June D.
WASHINGTON, May H.-The attitude Of
the Republican party in Oklahoma toward
the Constitution recently adopted there
by the constitutional convention, which
was overwhelmingly Democratic, was dis
cussed to-day at great length at a series OF
conferences in which the national Admins
~tration, the Republican Congressional COM
mittee and the two Territories that will
comprise the new State were represented.
1t was decided that the Republican party
in Oklahoma should fight the Constitution
at the polls tooth and nail, and failing to
defeat it President Roosevelt should
be strongly urged to refuse to promulgate
the instrument, 1t is understood that as
suranoes have been given that the Presi-
dent will never approve the
constitution in its present form.
The men from Indian Territory were at
first disposed ( O swallow the Constitution,
expressing the fear that il it failed at this
time, thus necessitating the passage OF a
new enabling act, Oklahoma might go 1t
alone for Statehood, and thus leave Indian
Territory out on q limb. These fears we're
d~issipated, and the Republicans OF Indian
Territory will conduct a vigorous aggressive
campaign in the proposed new State, with
q view to defeating the Constitution.
Representative JamesS S. Sherman OF New
York and Representative G. L~oudenslager
OF New Jersey, chairman and secre-
tary respectively of the Republican Con
gressional committee; Gov, Frantz, Dele
gate Bird Mcclure, former Delegate Dennis
Flynn, Senator Curtis Of Kansas and others
were among those who participated in the
conferences to-day. Late his AFTERNOON
the party had a talk with Secretary Of Wal
TAFT, who will make a speech for the Repub-
licans at Tulsa on June o, when the cam
paiRn against the Constitution will be begun.
The visitors discussed the subject with
President Roosevelt tonight. He is/ln
entire accord with the plan TO fight the Con-
stitution' believing that It is Objectionable
in many respects and particularly unjust
in its treatment Of the political rivals OF
those who controlled the convention;
Judging from statements made here to-
day, the Oklahoma Democrats nducte the
constitutional convention with a firm "a
They blocked out shoestring legislative dis
tricts in such a way as to make IL impossible
for the Republicans ever to elect a United
States Senator. They adopted drastic pro-
visions relative to corporations, 80 drastic
In IaCt InaU IDeY WtIC lOilllC NpVh
the receipt OF notice that the President
would never approve the Constitution i 1t
came 10 him in the form in which 1t was first
drafted.
The Republicans Of Oklahoma have the
upper hand in the fight with their Demo-
cratic brethren. If the people there accept
the Constitution in August the Republicans
make take an appeal to the President; in
which they are assured beforehand that they
will be successful. Then IL will be necessary
for the win Territories nee again to apply
for Statehood. Both houses Of Congress
being Republican, an enabling act can be
passed that would tie the hands of the
Democrats should they control the second
constitutional convention.
In this speech at Tulsa in June Secretary
Taft will probably tell the people of Okla
bona Just what the Administration thinks
of their proposed Constitution. This is
expected TO have the effect OF defeating
the Constitution. In that event Congress
will be asked to pass another enabling act
next winter. II the Constitution is adopted
by the people then the President will doubt
less refuuse to ~promulgate it. q,
The indications are that Oklahoma and
Indian Territory will again apply forState-
hood next winter, as they may not be
able to qualify under the present enabling
act owing to the bitter feeling that exists.