Volume 16 , Issue 14

1907 In Oklahoma

This article, In Oklahoma, comes from the front page of The Commoner, dated 13 September 1907, a week before the new state of Oklahoma held its first election.

It was to be 20 September 1907, Tuesday, there would be held the first election in the new state of Oklahoma. The democrats of the new state offered a ticket made up of splendid men who were standing upon a platform that means something for the people. The republicans were opposing the adoption of the new state constitution, the only objection to it being that it confers too many powers upon the people themselves and restricts the opportunities of trusts and corporations to exploit the people.

The above may sound familiar to many today (2014), don't you think?

Anyway to continue with the article dated 1907, Secretary Taft opposed the Oklahoma constitution and opposed the adoption of it. One reason being that it conferred the right of trial by jury in all cases of contempt arising from the violation of injunctions. It was reported, also, that naturally enough the corporations, and especially the transportation companies opposed the constitution because of this provision, and because of the further provision that it confers upon the people the right to protect themselves against the encroachments of the corporations.

The republican leaders back then were opposing the adoption of the constitution because its adoption meant an end to the territorial government which had afforded them such rich political picking. The democrats had taken the people into their confidence and had waged an open fight based upon the plain statement of democratic principles, and they were confident of success.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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