The independent., 1907-03-21


ton crops, but 1t is uptilted from less
than 700 feet at the eastern end to over
1000 feet at the western. This means
variation Of rainfall, Of climate and
OF conditions Of living sufficient to have
considerable influence on the tenn
perament of the people themselves in
their relations to government. The ef-
feet of elevation and rainfall and sun
shine is acknowledged to be material in
the attitude Of state toward the
world outside. 1t was lack Of rain that
precipitated the uprising of populism in
the west in the nineties; excitabe poll
tics prevails in the short grass coun-
try to an extent that is unknown in
the more lethargic sections near the
sea level 1t has become a fashion Of
physicians to prescribe trips to the
great lakes or TO the Atlantic seaside
for nervous patients of the middle west
1t is believed that the lower altitude
will have a sedative effect on them,
and in many instances the diagnosis is
right. The mountains, with their tend
ency toward high-strung nerves and
acute SenSd ti0ns because Of the high
altitude are not always best for the
dweller on the great plains. These
people of oklahoma have been living in
the high altitude until they have the
quick sensations and the nervous out
look of the native westerner and in
consequence are intolerant Of advice
that tends to change their plans 1t is
little wonder that they have found it
difficult to decide Just what sort of
laws they would have and at the same
time be SO moderate in their demands
as to please the president and con-
gross
Wonderful Settlement.
The settlement of the past three
years in the southwest has been one Of
the wonders Of the railway service
On homeseelers' days In each month
the year round trains have been run to
Oklahoma and to the Panhandle in
three and four sections, each loaded to
the platforms with the intending land
buyers. These newcomers have little
present interest in the kind Of state
to be established, compared with those
old settlers who have been on the land
since the first opening-the aristocracy
Of the new state. However, they have
vote on the constitution and are
likely to be very critical concerning the
rights of property and the protection
of investments.
Investment interests have been
growing in Importance rapidly. The
bank deposits amounting to over
$20.O0o,000, are not all of these. East
ern mortgages have extensive loans
on the farms; eastern stockholders
have investments in corporations;
many Of the banks are largely owned
in the east. 1t was in the interest Of
this class of investors that the presi-
dent issued to the convention an ul-
limo tO
placed in the constitution a provision
denying the railroads and the corpor-
ations the right to protect them
selves in the courts, as had been pro-
posed by some Of the radical members,
he would veto the document when it
came to him.
The ambition of a new common
wealth in the west is beyond the COM
'prehensfon of those who have lived
their lives amid established things.
The towns all hope to become rivals
of the metropolis, and the state as a
whole is Jealous of its importance.
A tremendous amount of advertising
helps in this sentiment and the citi-
zens come to consider themselves the
pivot around which the nation re-
wolves. This has been the attitude
of other western states, and it is to
some extent, that of Oklahoma. Yet
the problem of mastering the multi
piled variation Of interests Is greater
In such commonwealth than In the
older states.
The problem of the Indian is one
of the most important of these in the
new commonwealth. He has been the
possessor Of half the territory for a
hundred years of civilization. Now
he is put on his allotment and told
to work. Is he to be a good citizen,
10 be trusted with voice in the man
agement OF affairs, or shall he be held
In restriction for time until he be-
comes capable? Shall the freedman
and tho negro have the rights of
whites, or shalt they. too, be restricted
as IL tho desire OF tho southcrn-born
residents OF the territory7 IN the con-
stitution IL too liberal with the negro.
will not tho large southern popula~
ton defeat II at the polis-for II must
be voted on after II has passed tho
president aud received HIS approval7
Along with these social and political
mattRrS cDnea that az the nronar sae-