The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-12
The OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION
PRESIDENT WILL NOT GIVE ANY
OPINION AS TO ITS MERITS.

-
HE Says He rs Limited 10 Deciding whether
Il Satisfies the Test Fixed by Congress
Tn Conventlon Makes Many changes
20 Meet supposed Objections TO II.
WASHINGTON, July n.-Attornsy-G General
Bonaparte to-day gave out this statement in
regard to the pending constitution OF the
proposed new State cf Oklahoma:
The Attorney General was recently adj
vised by Mr.. W. A. Ledbetter, who with
other gentlemen called upon him some
time ago with reference ia the proposed
constitution for Oklahoma, that the con-
stitutional convention was TO reassemble,
and DIR. Ledbetter stated that the conven-
ton, or q considerable number OF The mem-
bers Of the convention. desired to have an
expression from. the President az to the
merits Of the provisions contained In the
constitution now proposed. Thu Attorney
General in reply has addressed a letter TO
W. II. Murrsy, president Of the convention.
saying that IL is the plain intent OF the Okla
homa enabling act that the voters OF the
two Territories, through their representa-
ives in the constitutional convention, should
themselves frame . constitution. that the
duty Of tho President lie limited to deciding
whether the constitution thew shall frame
so evidently satisfies the tests x by
Congress- that no further reference to Con-
grees' of the question whether they are
ft for Statehood would be necessary or
advisable.
II further states that IL would pe alto
gether at variance with the spirit and pur-
pose of the enabling act for the President
to aid In frsming this instrument when
be must afterwsrd decide whether il 10 such
an instrument a. ~justides thsir immediate
admission under the terms OF the act. He
ssys that he sees no objection, however.
stitutipn as nov proposed to which objec-
tons have beer fled with the President
and With the Department Of Justice.
Such q list has been furnished to Mr..
Murray and aleo to Mr.. Ledbetter, compris-
ing a list Of the sections under the different
articles Of which criticism has beer made
in communications as above noted. Thu
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT has been, however, care
fl to impress upon the minds OF the gentle
men that the Department Of Justice neither
states nor in anywise indicates ite opinion
as TO thu force or p~ertinsncy OF any Of the
objections which have been made TO pro-
visions OF the constitution, and that IL
expressly refrains from making any state
nnent whatever which might be regarded
views whatever or the subject"
GUTHRIE. Okla. July 1.-THE constitu-
tional convention to-day made several
changes in the proposed Constitution.
Power was given the courts TO punish
when a contempt case 10 committed in the
Courts presence. The section was elimi-
mated giving the Legislature additional
power to restrict suffrage qualifications.
The initiative and referendum was emascu-
lated Of the provision for carrying it into
effect in case the Legislature shah refuse
to do 90.
A provision was inserted permitting a
merger by legislative enactment of cor
porations chartered within the State. but
foreign corporations canno merge. Power
was given the Legislature to limit con-
ditions under which foreign corporations
may operate within the State. The pro-
vision was eliminated which prevented
foreign corporations from removing any
court proceedings from State to Federal
courts.
An amendment prevents Federal Office
holders and anybody holding a position
OF profit in another State from holding
my State Office. The habeas corpus writ
provision was amended 90 as not to inter-
fere with Federal jurisdiction.
The clause taking from courts the power
TO punish for contempt was eliminated.
The State Senators will be increased TO
~ and Representatives to 100.
Fear OF the big stick" at Washington, il
is understood, caused the majority Of
changes