The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-04-14
Propositions Submitted
at Special Election June IL

lamations have been issued by Gov.
Charles N. Haskell, submitting to the
people the two propositions of amend
ing the railway sections Of the state
constitution and permanently locat-
ling the states capital and calling a
Especial election for June H. The for
liner is urged by the railway interests
and the State Federation of CONNER
cial Clubs. but it is bitterly opposed
lby the labor and farmer union fele-
Iments, and by the members of the
Estate corporation commission, who
maintain that any such amendment
will curtain their powers.
The circulation of petitions. asking
an election to amend the constitution
was directed by the commercial club
Organization and total of $4,000 sig
natures were secured, although but
81, 900 were really needed The sig
natures represent every county and
practically every voting precinct in
the state. The amendment is urged
also by advocates who are demand
ing a business administration" for
the state. It is estimated the special
election will cost $4,000.
The second state legislature, in ses-
sion one year ago. submitted the rail-
way amendment to a vote, and in cir
culating the petitions for signatures
the commercial clubs we're but carry
ing into effect the legislative action,
and under the law the governor is
compelled to call the election. An at
tempt was made during the recent spe-
cial session to submit different
amendment than the one formerly
proposed, but the attempt failed.
The labor leaders of the state are
the most bitter against the amend
men being adopted, and maintain that
Senator LaFollette of Wisconsin and
Samuel Campers will stump the state
for them against the amendment. The
socialist party organization is on rec
ord against the amendment, as are
also the 2so-called constitutionalists-
those democrats who maintain that
the state constitution shall not be
changed until it has had every oppor-
tunity to prove its worth. Among the
leaders of this class are: B. A. Robert
son of Chandler, democratic candi-
date for governor; senator Clint Gra-
ham, president pro tenn of the Okla
homa senate, and Senator Reuben NJ.
Roddie of Ada 1t is understood that
United States Senator Gore, former
|populist leader in Texas, is against
the amendment
In effect the proposed change in the
constitution will amend that section
which forbids consolidation of the
property of transmission and trans
portation companies of this state with
those of any other state, either pri-
vate or judicial sale. It expressly |
gives such authority, and also grants
to existing railroads the right to ex-
tend their lines in the state without |
perpetuating the state organization |
or company for management Of such |
extensions, and with it goes the pow
er of such companies, whether local /
or foreign, in their nature, to exer-
else the right of eminent domain.
Companies, however, are required /
to main state agents upon whom pro |
cess of service may be obtained. but
under the proposed amendment are
neither required to maintain general
Offices in the state nor keep books
and records in the state, save as it
may be necessary to transact their
business within the state. 1t requires
about $4,000 signatures to initiate
such an amendment to the constitu-
tion, which is 10 per cent of the high
est vote cast in the last general cleo
tion
Railroad officials say there are near
Iy 1900 miles prospective construction Il
in Oklahoma if the present regulations
are modified. The Rock Island de-
sires to build from Ardmore to Wauri-
ka and west. The Kansas City South
ern has in prospect line from Tex
arkana, Texas, through Hugo and I
Atoka to Oklahoma City. with the
project ultimately extending to the
northwest section The Missouri;
Kansas & Texas has probable routes {
to the Oklahoma grain belts in view,
about 450 miles of new line out of {
City and Guthrie. The /
Santa Fe announces that it would ac- ;
luire or build 1000 miles of road in {
the state. The Oklahoma Central Z
now in operation between Coalgate |,
and Chickasha to extend northwest
and southwest $50 miles. is among /
the possibilities, and the Frisco has I
estimates on line from Okmulgee to Il
l