Volume 15 , Issue 1

Reasoning On Statehood (Oklahoma Territory)

As we were cleaning, digging through old files of The OkieLegacy, we found this Friday, 23 November 1904, article that appeared on the frontage of The Alva Weekly Courier, Vol. 9, No. 22, Alva, Oklahoma Territory (O.T.), titled "Reasoning ON Statehood.

Guthrie, O. T., Nov. 19 (1904) -- Now that the election is over the people of Oklahoma are sitting down and reasoning together about the prospect for statehood. People do not reason very much daring a political campaign. It is then that they claim the earth with a fence around it for their own party.

It is the opinion of the masses that it is the intention of congress to give Oklahoma statehood at the very first opportunity will be at the short session of congress, when the Hamilton bill will be put through the senate with a rush. But will that be done?

The sentiment of the white people in the two territories is pretty nearly unanimous for single statehood for Oklahoma and the Indian Territory. And while this is true there are a great many thinking people in this territory who very much doubt if Oklahoma and the Indian Territory will be admitted as one state by this congress. These thinking people admit that congress will be confronted by some very grave questions when this matter again comes before it.

In the first place it will be seen that the Indian Territory has no county organization like Oklahoma and that she will not have an even show in the new state at the beginning. Oklahoma is just like a state in every respect with the exception that her judicial and executive officers are not elected by the people. Oklahoma could enter upon her career of statehood and the people would hardly realize the change, but it is quite different in the Indian Territory.

Then there is another thing that may confound congress. When it assembles, the members of the august body will find that the Indian councils have appeared to President Roosevelt to save them from the overpowering influences of the white man in Oklahoma. These Indians, it is claimed, are telling the president that if their country is kept separate, they will be able to make themselves felt in its government, but if attached to Oklahoma, they will have to take just what Oklahoma sees fit to give them.

There are not a few people in this territory who believe that the present chief executive of this republic is a very courageous man, who is ready at all times to stand up for equal justice as between man and man, and this appeal of the last of the race of warriors who may be exterminated but could never be enslaved, may not appeal to President Roosevelt in vain.

If the redman is to be consulted there is a bare possibility that single statehood may be some distance in the future and congress may take a notion to go back and do the work all over again and possibly as the shortest way out of the difficulty conclude to admit Oklahoma as a separate state with a provision that the Indian Territory may be attached when the people of that section conclude that it is the proper thing to do.

Mr. McGuire promised the people single statehood if he was re-elected as Oklahoma's delegate to congress and there is no doubt that he feels confident that he will be able to get it. There are now, however, indications that he may be confronted with difficulties of which he little thought when he entered upon his campaign.

The Indian, the real owner of the Indian Territory, has never been consulted about this matter and we may be compelled to stop and listen to his demands and to consult his interest in the matter. Who can tell how long that might delay statehood?   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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