Oklahoma Journeys

Week of July 18, 2009

Statehood Convention July 19, 1905

Clamoring for statehood, this week on Oklahoma Journeys. Settlers in Oklahoma and Indian Territories knew by the late 1800s that statehood for the area was inevitable, but that didn’t stop them from wanting it sooner rather than later. In 1905 advocates of early statehood from all over the country met in Oklahoma City, and that’s the topic of this week’s Oklahoma Journeys from the Oklahoma History Center.

From the Oklahoma History Center, this is Oklahoma Journeys. I’m Michael Dean.

Oklahoma became a state in 1907, but that deed wasn’t accomplished easily. Much political wrangling had to occur before the 46th star could be added to the flag. For the citizens of Oklahoma, one of the first questions to be answered was whether to come into the union as one state or as two states. Both Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory had at various times petitioned for separate statehood. By 1905, however, it was clear that leaders within the state territories, as well as in Washington, would only promote and approve single statehood.

It was in this week of July 1905 that county and district representatives from across the territories convened in Oklahoma City, attending there the largest statehood convention in the history of the territory. Every seat in the meeting hall was filled and according to reporters at the scene there were thousands more, spectators and hopeful participants who waited on the grounds around the building for news of the events. Politicians from around the country attended the event making it clear to Oklahomans that they were indeed supporting the territories’ bid for statehood. Senator W.W. Blair from New Hampshire addressed the crowd for a lengthy period expounding on his desire to see Oklahoma admitted as a state. Said Senator Blair, "The people down east desire your admittance to the union. You have the ability and intelligence to deal with any question. Already you have earned your wealth. Many states got their wealth before statehood. I will be a witness for you in Washington, because you are to be the great eastern state of the great middle-west." With the end of Senator Blair’s address the crowd now pumped with enthusiasm for statehood rose to their feet and sang "America."

Later in the afternoon, convention delegates passed various resolutions and reasons justifying Oklahoma’s admission to the union. The delegates stated that both in geographical size and population, Oklahoma was more than suited to join the ranks of U.S. states. The industries within the state, natural resources, and income potential all boded well for future prosperity and for these reasons and many more listed by the delegates, Oklahoma, they argued, was in a perfect position for immediate statehood. Alas, all did not work as planned or hoped by the convention attendees as citizens were forced to wait two more grueling years before they could indeed claim themselves residents of the STATE of Oklahoma.

You can read highlights of the convention and examine many more important documents from the history of our state in the research library at the Oklahoma History Center on NE 23rd Street, just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Journeys is a production of the Oklahoma History Center, dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of our state’s past. I’m Michael Dean.