The Mena weekly star., 1907-06-27
NEN OKLAA()MA CENSUS
Department of Commerce and Labor to Make Special Enumeration
 for New State.
WILL TEST TIE ALLEGED GEHHYAANDtR
The Result of the Census Will Reveal Whether the Law of Apportionment Has Been obeyed by the constitu- tionaI Convention Has unques- toned Authority.

Has Been Obeyed ny the Sonstitu-
 tional Convention Has unques-
 toned Authority.
 Washington, June 26.-The fol- lowing formal announcement was made Monday at he department of justice:
 Upon the advice of the attorney general, the president has instruct ed the department of commerce and labor to have the census bureau make Q special enumeration of the inhabitants of the proposed state of Oklahoma, including the present ter ritory of Clanonaa <, and the Indian Territory, to determine Jif,-. popuia- tion of the proposed new state and it's distribution among several terri orial subdivisions into which the state will be divided should the con stitution confirmed by the conven- ton lately sitting there, be approved at the polls.'
 No explanatory statement was pro curable from any government off. cial MT. Bonaparte, in fact. dictia- ted the statement at his residence in Baltimore, and 1t was brought to Washington for announcement by his private secretary The intent in the movement and the decision of the administration to have the census taken is apparent
 The claims, charges and counter claims relative to the gerrymander tion of Oklahoma are to be definite ly and scientifically decided by the administration. so that the president will be in a position to determine just what action he will be warrant ed in taking when the document is presented to him for his approvel or rejection.
 As it is generally understood by those interested that the constitution al convention win shortly reconvene, after the courts decide the injunc- tion cases against the official of the territory. preventing them from cali ing an election under the proposed constitution The administration conveys a direct hint as to what is objectionable in the document, Both republican and democrats have suggested to the president that he give them some unofficial assurances as to what disposition he will make of the document if 1t is approved by the people of the proposed state, In advance of it ping presented to him officially.
 The president was told that to do so would save all of the trouble and expense of an election, if he pro- posed to disapprove the document is direct notice to all concerned that the administration views as seri ous the allegations to the effect that there has been a deliberate and flag rant gerrymander in the constitution. When the constitutional convention meets, after the courts pass upon the pending cases, if the democrats in control of it are sincere in the sug- gestions they made here in Washing ton, that they wished to make it ac- ceptabie to the administration. they will be given opportunity to demon strate 1t. In any event the adminis- tration will be fully fortified Go show exactly how fragrant is the gerrymander.
 The federal law requires an appor- tionment of about l96,000 population to each representative in the house of representatives. In trying to make the new state delegation in congress nearly solidly democratic. it will be disclosed by the census how great was the disregard of the law relative to the approtionment.
 There has been much discussion of authority under which the ad- proposes to take the census. and to defray the expense in- volved It is understood that the at torney general has advised the presi- dent that there is ample authority for mourning the expense, and that he can order it under his general or under the specific pro- vision of law, which directs the de partment of commerce and labor to make statistical or other inyestiga- lions under executive order.