Volume 9 , Issue 24

Okie Legacy Centennial Moment

The Alva Pioneer, Alva, O.T., Woods County, dated Friday, July 26, 1907 - The headlines read: Constitution Was Filed - Secretary Filson Has Rreceived A Certified Copy - President Murray Also Addressed A Letter To Governor Frantz Concerning the Matter.

Guthrie, OK, July 23, 1907 -- In accordance with the instructions of the constitutional convention, the proposed constitution for the state of Oklahoma, as amended by the convention at its session last week, was formally filed with Charles H. Filson last evening at 3:50 o'clock by William H. Murray, president of the convention. It was accompanied by a certified copy of the election ordinance, the explanation being made by President Murray that the engrossing of the original of that ordinance had not yet been completed. The resolution adopting the constitution of the United States, the ordinance accepting the terms and conditions of the enabling act, and the article of statewide prohibition separately submitted to a vote of the people were also filed with ithe constitution and election ordinance.

The filing was accompanied with very little formality and was the occasion of much good natured bantering. In calling up Secretary Filson to make an appointment for the filing of the constitution Murray referred to it as the "sight unseen consitution," and in presenting it to the secretary he stated that it was the instrument with which, by the grace of President Roosevelt, the democrats expected to redeem Oklahoma from the clutches of the "piewumps."

President Murray also addressed a letter to Governor Frantz, in which, after informing him of the constituion and ordinances, he says:

"From said ordinance you will as certain that you are given preference in the right to issue proclamation and also the same to be duly published as provided therein before the 26th day of July, 1907, or within ten days after the adoption of said ordinance. I beg to request that you issue said proclamation in due time, and that you conduct and hold said election agreeable to said ordinance and the laws governing election in force in the territory of Oklahoma, as provided in said ordinance."
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