TO DISFRANCHISE THE NEGRO VOTE
Special to the Ardmore Democrat:
Oklahoma City, Okla, Nov. 9--Democrats are already planning the disfranchisement of the negro in the new state. They will make no direct attack on him, but believe that their success is largely the result of their race appeal, and will carry their campaign talk into action.
They are planning the adoption of the Texas plan. By this they put an educational qualification upon all voters, and require that they show a receipt for the payment of a poll tax before being permitted to deposite the ballots. This would bar many thousand negroes in the new state.
At the recent meeting of the democratic executive committee here the members discussed the proposition informally, and their sentiment was practically unanimous. The action, they say, if made in this way, and directed, apparently to raise the standard of voters, will avoid opposition by the President, and objection on constitutional grounds.
For publication they all declare that they are not aiming this action at the negroes.
"There will be no clause inserted in the constitution practically disfranchising the negro," said Vice Secretary Johnson of the Democratic state committee."Such a move would mean the the constitution would be held up by the president. We shall make no such foolish move."
"I think some sort of qualifying clause should be inserted in the constitution providing either property or educational qualifications for voting, however."
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We have had fine weather the last fortnight. The cotton stalks have been just sufficently killed to make the bolls open nicely.
Cotton has been ruling very low for two or three weeks, but it is to be hoped many of our farmers will take advantage of the warehouse idea and hold for the coming rise.
Stratford, (formerly Walling) took on the old McGee look somewhat, Saturday. With its crowds of wagons and families of prosperous farmers, it looked like the beginning of a mighty good town.
They attribute the wonderful Democratic victory in Oklahoma to various causes. But to us it seems clearly a case of more Democrats than Republicans, with a dislike for mixed schools and Hitchcock to help on the side.
In a few days now our constitution makers will be at work and whatever they do we hope they will make the initiative and referendum stick so that the majority of the people can rule. A bad law is not so very bad if it can be changed.
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COMING CONVENTION MUST RECKON WITH ALFALFA BILL
Spel. to the Oklahoman:
Muskogee,I.T., Nov. 9--Already the struggle has begun for place in the constitutional convention. There are five men who will be prominent figures in the convention from the beginning to the end. Others may appear shortly. These five are Henry Asp of Guthrie, W.H. Murray of Tishomingo, H.S. Johnston of Perry, W.A. Ledbetter of Ardmore, and C.N. Haskell of Muskogee. Already the newspapers have commenced to comment on the probable chairman of the convention. Of course Mr.Asp cannot be mentioned in that capacity, because he is of the minority party, but will head the minority and he will also head a lot of other things before the convention gets through. Oklahoma has already advanced Johnson of Perry, Ledbetter want to be chairman, and Haskell has been suggested. W.H. Murray seems to have been overlooked, but the man who directs the convention has got to reckon with "Alfalfa Bill" before he gets through.
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George Northrup, the genial townsite man informs us that the bridge gang on the Oklahoma Central Railroad will move to Stratford Wednesday of this week and the tracklaying gang next Saturday.
REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS--S.M. Brossius, representing the Indian Rights Association, who stirred up things so much here two years ago, is back again, and there will be something doing. He thinks that the fullblood as well as the mixed blood should be allowed to sell his land if he can prove he has the business ability to take care of it. He thinks the Federal Government should purchase the coal lands and present them to the new state as a permanent school fund.
W.T. Williams has bought a lot south of Springbrook and will build shortly.
A.C. Cromer and A.V. Thomas were in Sacred Heart last week on business.
A fine boy took charge of A.V. Thomas household Wednesday and will be the acting boss for a time.
Will F. Stephenson of Roff, was in Stratford Tuesday looking at town lots.
A.C. Cromer will put an addition to his building and adorn it with a modern glass front.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James Absher, Friday, a fine boy.
Geo. Northrup came in from Oklahoma last week. The prospects of Stratford still look good to him.
Leonard Braley went to Hickory Monday on business.
W.H. Williams from near Maxwell, was in Stratford Monday.
Mrs. L.M. Sheryver of Sulphur, will open a subscription school in the Mathews building on Main street Monday. She informs the Chickasaw News that Sunday School will be held in the same place.
Watts and Son have ginned 930 bales of cotton to date.
Joe Donnegan, near Roff, had two horses and saddles stolen Saturday night.
HOGS WANTED - I wish to buy three fat hogs. Whitt hyden Jr.
Mr. Morgan, manager of Gloys Lumber Yard, says in four days after receiving a car of boxing, 18000 feet, Thursday, he did not have enough unsold for a small house. Stratford is going to build some.
Z.Y. Griffin and Co. have sold their stock of goods to J.R. Byford.
Betts and Thompson are building this week: Residences for J.L. Alred and K. Kelley and the bridges on Hyden Ave. and East Main Street.
West L. Cunningham has bought a block on East Main street and will build a residence.
Dr. Norris will put on a new front to his drug store and extend the building in the rear.
W.F. Mills,near Chism, is the proud father of a girl, who is now two weeks old. He reports Mrs.Mills is quite unwell.
J.W. Knox, merchant at Chism, has sold out.
Mrs. C.L. Daniels took the train at Roff Monday to visit her mother at Ardmore.
THE VOTE IN FULL - Weaver 1381 Democrat; Joe J. Burton, Republican, 575; Wm. McDaniel, Socialist, 218. The Democrats elected 99, Republicans 13, and Independents 1 delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
Fred Gabbert's baby was quite sick last week, but is reported as almost out of danger. It had a rising in its throat which for a time threatened the little life, but was relieved by lancing.
LOST - One 21 jewel R.R. Special silver case watch, between Stratford (Walling) and the old Cauley place 5 miles south on the main road. I will pay a liberal reward for its return to me. Robert Patterson, Stratford (Walling)
M.D. Chapel, who has been recuperating at Sulphur, returned Saturday. He has accepted a position with A.O. Gilstrap and Son.
C.O. Wright's dwelling arrived from McGee Tuesday.
T.H. Clark went to Ada Wednesday.
J.T. Straughan went to Wayne Monday.
Sad Accident - Will Thornton was called to Plano Monday by the news of the awful death of his wife at Plano, Texas. She was run down by a train and killed.
Country butter is 35 cents per pound and eggs 30 cents per dozen in Kansas City. Attributed partly to the falling off in the demand for packing house meats.
L.O. Wilkerson says he is not from Missouri, as stated in the News last week, but is an Oklahoman.