The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-04-03

the interest of all the people of the
state, regardless of race, color, or
previous condition of servltude. II has
been my privilege to be a citizen OF
Oklahoma and Indian Territory for
more than fifteen years. In November
1891, ! moved from Texas to Norman,
where | spent q delightful year. Since
that time it has been my fortune to
live in Oklahoma City. El Reno, Mus
kogee Pauls Valley. Chickasha, South
McAlester and sulphur. In all of these
cities | tried TO be helpful in building
good citizenship and now have
friends in them al who are ensirined
in my heart to stay there forever.
In 1898, was appointed by Hon.
w. c. Renfrow, governor OF Oklahoma,
state superintendent Of public insruc-
tion and ex-oiiicio auditor AS super
.ntendent of public instruction | was
at the head OF The public school sys-
lem of the territory and was elected
president of the Territorial hoard OF
education and was also elected presi
dent of the board Of regents of the
territorial normal schools and was
also member of the school land
board During the nearly four years
that I held the Office the public school
system of Oklahoma was formulated
end systemaIlzed aud made one of the
very best in the world
list Because | feel that ! can serve
The state well in that position.
End. My long residence in the two
territories has acquainted me with the
reeds OF the people in every walk or
life ! have been associa ed with the
rich and strong in the cities and have
touched hearts with the obscure, the
poor and the lowly In the Ear removed
rural communities.
Srd. feel that ! can be of real
service to humanity in helping TO start
great school system, especially in
he country districts OF the Indian Ter
ritory section of the state.
My platform: II is impossible now
TO lay down a platform to guide us all
the way through an administration.
Exigencies will arise to be met when
hey come. / can only say that | will
he true. TO the interest OF all the peo-
pie and will follow the policy of the
Democratic party as expressed in the
disdom of its councils There are
some things, however. on which we
can speak now:
1st. / favor separate schools for the
negro race, but schools of equal grade
efficiency and comfort with those for
the whites.
2nd ! favor the sale Of the indemnity
school lands in Oklahoma and such
disposition OF the regular school lands
as wisdom and justice may point out
il the future, keeping in mind the in
terest of the school children OF the
state and those who have improved
The land as tenants.
3rd / favor the extension of the
present educational system of Okla
homa over the entire state. making
pny necessary changes to comply with
The constitution
4th. favor organizing the Indian
Territory section of the state in.o
school districts at once and making
some arrangement 10 build houses inn
medlately in every district, so that
every child In the entire state may be
IN reach of a school.
SCH ] favor using part OF the five
million dollars appropriated by con
gross to build these district school
houses, the district being bonded, the
bonds sold 10 the state for tie neces-
sary amount 10 build IN each district.
9th. / favor uniform system OF
books to be sold TO the children a.
cost
7th. favor a county high school in
every county aud complete county or
ganization.
81. / favor an articulated or cor
related system Of free public schools
commencing with the district school
as the unit aud ending with the nor
mai school the A. and NJ college and
the university
9th. / favor the retention Of the
state university at Norman and a pol
icy OF liberality in buildng II up
until Il becomes one Of the very great
est universities In the world.
10Th favor building two greal
normal schools iu the Indian Territory
section of the state ard 4 liberal polics
toward those new IN Oklahoma ane
The a and NJ college.
nth ! favor the purchase OF the
.,ai snd asphalt lands OF the Territory
by the state and making them a par
of he permanent school endowment.
18th II there is anything else. no
SET down here that Is for the good o
the school children OF Oklahoma. nov
living. or yet unborn, ] am In favor %
thar and by the help OF HIN who gath
cred little children about Him an