The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-11-16


The enabling act of the congress
which gave to the two territories the
right to hold G constitutional conven-
tion and accept same, came to Okla.
aomn under different conditions than
any other og the present forty-six
states.
First, there were almost 100000
people in the tive sections OF the pres
ent state. The one which had en-
toyed territorial government had Deer.
IN existence eighteen years. TIC
other as an lnliian domain nad really
existed es such since 1888, but hal
enioyei no fseedom Of government.
The dismemberment OF the govern.
merit Of Che Five Civilized Tribes
Cherokee, Greek, Seminole, Choctav
and Cnickasha lulians--when they
we're given into the tender" care OF e
commission departmental form Of gov
ernment, had made those SONS OF the
aborigine owners Ct the continent a
trile cautious Of pl5lses ma lie by the
"Great White F'ather.'
The two territories wa-e as strang.
efs. The indiana and their fellow.
residents of that great section had
suffered much, and had fought longer
for the bill Of rights coming through
tie imisslon OF sovereign state.
On the othe- hand. the Oklahoma
side of the state had been peopled by
residents OF all the states. AMI brought
20 the sAv0 as G union the experience
or wisdom to be had through the ac
qualntanceship Of evils and virtues In
sll the states.
The overwhelming partisan major
ity secured by the Democrats In tine
Constitutional convention was utilizel
ia the framing OF a constitution fash.
ioned on what was considered the yir
cues OF all the states, and not because
a party was In power.
The cosmopolitan complexion OF the
convention members is well exempli
iied In the mention Of the two greatest
leaders-insofar Is the outside world
Is ncerEed-Williarn II. Murray
president; Charles n. Haskell, foo;
leader.
Ohio and Texas Leaders.
Mr.. Murray is native of Texas, and
had brought to this state the ideas ant
pujrllices OF that great common
mealh. To theae he had added the
study and thought OF man who reads
uauch and studies deeply.
Charles NJ. Haskell Is a native O
OHIO. as far removed from Texas a.
possible TO pe, Insofar as IDEAS, Gus
toms lsTil environmentai topics b'
concerned.
Yet those twd men. working al
members of progressive and moderI
disciples Of governmental Fieas. wer,
as one. and when the harder BATH,
70 oyerpowe- pfeijudices and politics
customs was fought, they We're one
each taking responsibility and maxim,
50 powerful and deep response as 4
bafile aai confound the orgarze,
lobby which met defeat at every turn
from ali political parties and faction
IN Oklahoma; the provlso requiring
lobbyists TO state fheir business
amount received for services. etc
proved. when the legislature was Il
eession. one Of the best and wlses
prosisions Of the constitutional body
IN the Constitutional convention tn,
electorate huiided wiser than cOui
have been possible under organize,
politics. II was q well.Dalanced bod,
farmers, attorneys, doctors. minist
ers and business men. Many OF then
have since risen to more than STATE
prominence. and not e few Of then
Who were OF retiring. modest name
have written into the organic iagg wis,
ami iar-reaching measures. calculate
70 be OF lasting benefit TO the peopl
Of Oklahoma.
choaen as officlalo.
Among the members OF the cor
ventlon who were advanced 20 furthe
Rositioas--Chief Justice Williams an
Associate Justices Kane and William
OF the Supreme court are listed {
n. Haskell Is the present goyerno
Mr Murray vas the first speaker G
the lower legislative assembly: Henr
Johnston was president p7otempore {
sne senate; Sorrels and Graham. G
1he senate ari score Of the house q
representatives were sent by the
constituents 20 further the caus
which they aided Ia giving life In In
convention.
While the officers OF ths conyentio
we're from tne iAllaA Territory Sc
tion OF the state. they were by II
sneans all OF those who wrought Il
Che cause OF popular government
Che constitution making. And whi
the press Of ihe opposing party ha
crlilcism fo- the makers OF Il
Oklahoma constitution by members
SOME few provisions contained ia Ia,
aamed instrument there are not 10
which have gained national notoriet
The lnlaiatige AMI Tefrendu
clauses are now household words, al
While these was much appr shensio
IN certain circles at the time the
we're enrollsii IN the organic law. Il
LATER events have shCWn the wisdo
C. the ect. and tis a matter Of prlt
~ OH homa that these wise prov
sers have been commende 10 sever
nntrles ana aia listed as among q