Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-18
BITTERLY DENOUNCED
CLAUSE IN CONSTITUTION PRO-
POSED FOR OKLAHOMA.
Disfranchisement of Soldiers and
Sailors Ordered by Convention
Investigation to Be Made.

The action of the constitutional con-
vention of Oklahoma in inserting clause
in the new state constitution dsfranchis-
Ing United States soldiers, sailors and
marines, as announced in special dis
patch to The Sunday Star, was vigorously
denounced by United Spanish War Vet
Grams here yesterday and today
At meeting of the joint committee APP
pointed to secure a home for the veteran
organization, which was held yesterday
afternoon at the home of Department Ad-
5utant William Peacock, oil A street south
east, the matter was given special consider
alton.
Attention was called to the fact that Okla
homa had taken this step and it was de-
nounced In no uncertain terms. Capt. J. Wal
ter Mitchell department commander; Adjt.
Peacock, National Judge Advocate General
John Lewis Smith, Department Mastering
Oncer q. Leyburn Shorey, Department In
spector John B. Murray Past Department
Adjutant G. E. Rausch and Robert c.
Shinn were among those present at the
meeting.
1t was stated that 1.-The very Objectionable
clause" of the Oklahoma constitution was
as follows: mo officer, soldier or marine
q the regular army or navy Of the United
States shall be entitled to- vote at any
election IN this state: provided that this
section shall not be construed to include
members and officers of the state militia"
In discussing the matter, Capt. Mitchell
SAID: The provision Is the deepest in
suit to all soldiers and sailors who have
oeen, or are now. connected with the serv-
ice All of the honor, glory and wealth
or our country is due almost entirely to
the vaior of our guardsmen, who have
country's sake.
i think this an opportune time to take
steps to stop this fragrant opposition to
our protectors: Our soldiers have never
6r1ri y,er f1@
try, and then for the convention to place
them on lower plane than convicts is
something we cannot afford to stand for"
He; spoke of the Presidents attitude to-
ward soldiers In defending. the uniform and
continued: Il do not beleve-in fact, l am
almost positive-that the approval of
President Roosevelt will never be given to
the constitution as it now stands
Mr.. Shorey offered a motion that the
action of the convention be emphatically
and vigorously opposed
Change in Meeting Place.
Judge Advocate General Smith suggested
that as the next annual encampment of the
organize ton was slated to be held at Okla
homa city, Commander-in-Chie Hamilton
Ward of Buffalo, N Y, be asked to call
together the national committee to inyes-
ugate the matter, which will probably re-
suit In changing the place of the proposed
meeting. The next encampment is to be
helo IN september, and it is probable, if
the committee decides to transfer the meet
ing, that Richmond, Va, will get it.
The motion adopted by the joint commit
tee recited that the action Of the Okla
homa convention was a direct insult to all
American soldiers sailors and marines.
VINO nave fought in the several wars in
winch the country has been engaged and
VINO have never known defeat in any
war. The resolutions invite the attention
of Commander-in-Chief Hamilton Ward of
Buffalo to the action of the Oklahoma con-
ventlon and request him to call meeting
OF the national council of administration
with a view to holding the next encamp-
ment at some other place than Oklahoma
City.
1t was also stated that the action taken
would dsfranchise any President of the
United States who might be a resident of
Oklahoma, as he would as President be an
omcer of the regularly army-its command
er-in-chief.
Plans for New Home.
Members of the ladies' auxiliary to the
Spanish War Veterans, including Mrs Liz
zie w. Calver, the department president;
Mrs. Louise Foster senior vice department
president; Miss Isabel NJ. Peacock secre-
tary Edith X. Roosevelt Auxiliary; Mrs.
E. Gertrude Mitchell national secretary of
the WOmans Canteen Temperance Club
and others were present.
1t was announced that an option of ff-
teen days had been obtained on a house in
the northern section of the city, to be used
as home. Steps were taken to raise con-
tributions for the purchase of the property
John Lewis Smith was elected treasurer
and Gen. George H. HarrieS financial secre-
tary of the undertaking. Adjutant Peacock
was instructed to notify the eight camps in
the District, asking their cooperation. Con-
tributionS were received from Mrs. Calver,
Messrs. Smith, Shinn, Murray and Mitchell.