Omaha daily bee., 1907-09-16
Esch Side Calls in Prominent Speakers
to Aid in Fight.
SECRETARY TAFT Is AGAINST I.
Bryan Makes Second Tour of State il
Its Support.
PROHIBITION VOTE A BIG FACTOR
Third Party Holds Balance of Power
and VIII Throw Its w -
In Favor of Rntincu
tfen.


territories Of Oklahoma and ierri-
tory. to whom congress ga state
food during It's last session e. te to-
yether for the first time, 7 on the |
proposed state constitution - de pro-
albition, which becomes SS OF the |
constitution. ~ adopted, election !
Of full ticket, five men. the state
supreme court ell district JUICES, five |
members of congress- a state legislature |
which will elect two United States SEMI !
tors. and all county and township ON |
,ers.
AS regards the constitution itself. the
,oters have two eminent although dissent
nR opinions TO guide them. Mr.. Bryan Of
Nebraska says. "it Is the best constitu-
don ever written" Mr.. Taft Of Ohio says:
IT I were a resident OF the new state, l
would vote against It." Mr.. Bryan has
made his second tour Of the state In order
TO reassure the voters OF the excellent
quality of the document, while Mr.. Taft's
position has been reinforced by no lesser
lights than ex-senator Mason OF Illinois,
Congressman C. B. Lands of Indiana, and
to some extent at least by Attorney Gen
.ral Bonaparte who. In letter to the
constitution makers practically told them
what should be eliminated and in per-
sonal letter to President Murray Of the
constitutional convention, made It much
stronger.
VIII BE Ratified.
The general opinion Is, however, that
the constitution will be ratified. II is not
love for the constitution that will bring
about that result, but the desire for state
hood especially among the people OF
Indian territory, who thus far have en-
joyed no kind of government whatever.
Many republicans. who share Mr.. Taft's
views, will vote to the contrary In order
TO get statehood, while there is an army
Of republicans who VIII "hit II with all
their might" believing they will give Mr..
Roosevelt all the moral and substantial
support possible in case he should decide
TO withhold his approval With these re-
publicann too, Is a strong body Of demo-
Gratis, living mostly in Oklahoma terri
tory who will vote against the constttu-
tlon-sorne because OF fear of high taxa
.1fion. and still others for political reasons,
Wearing the Indian territory wing OF the
democracy will dominate in state affairs.
Every prohibitonist will vote for the
constitution, and unless the signs fail this
vote will be suffcient to ratify the docu-
ment. II statewide prohibition carries.
then 1t becomes an integral part of the
constitution, and Oklahoma is made up
IN great part of prohibitionists from Kan
sas and temperance workers from Texas.
Both political parties will divide it's vote
on this question, but no doubt now remains
that prohibition will carry. Many re-
publican vote will be cast against the con-
stitution and for prohibition, and many a
democratic vote for the constitution and
against prohibition. c. N. Haskell OF Mus
koRee, the democratic nominee for gov
ernor has stated often in his speeches
that he will vote for prohibition. This
has lined un for him the temperance work
ers almost to man, including the min
istry Governor Frantz. the republican
nominee stated publicly that II prohibi-
tion carries, he will see to IL, II elected,
that the law is enforced.
Three Tickets In Field.
Although there are three state tickets
nominated-republcsn democrat and So
rialist-yet practically everybody on the
hcket has been lost sight or in the main
aght between Haskell and l-rantz 1t has
,con bitter campaign. Frantz. the pres
mt territorial governor OF oklahoms, was
Rough Rider with Roosevelt In Cuba
md represents the Roosevelt policies in
his race Tor the state governorsnip. Has
ken came to the territory from Ohio, where
ne was a figure in state democratic poll
lies and an aspirant for the gubernatorial
nomination In 1886 RE was the floor leader
Tor the democrats during the constitutional
any other man, If not more than all the
other delegates combined. for what Is In
the constitution.
The legislature to be chosen will consist
Of forty-four senators and los representa-
sives The democrats in the constitutional
convention made the legislative districts,
and every indication 10 that they will carry
both houses; only a landslide could give
The assembly to the republicans The
after charge not only a political gerry
mandcr by the democrats. but also sec
aonal gerrymander In favor OF the Indian
Territory portion and the southern portion
Of the state. placing the control in the
hands of the southern democracy. and
they claim It is just as great gerrymander
against the northern democrat as It is
Ngainst the republican.
Contest for senatOrshIp.
The election OF two United States sen
ltors depends upon the legislature. The
democrats nominated their senatorial can
Mdates by state primary. the winners being
=, Colonel Robert l. owen OF Muskogee, a
n lart-blood Cherokee Indian. and Judge
chomRs p. Gore OF Lawton. known as 1.-THE
lind orator OF Ckiahoma." and formerly he
FGs Texas-MiSsissppi popuSt. The re-
Dublicans have named no candidates al
Aiough should they control the Legislature
is known that Bird 5. Mcclure. present
delegate IN congress. former Delegate Den
mis- r. Flynn, Colonel Jake Admire OF
Enid and Ex-Governor Tom Ferguson would
be aspiTants on the Oklahoma side whilS
Colonel William Busby OF McAlester
Colonel Clarence Douglas OF AIuskogee and
James A. Harris OF Wagner would CON