Muskogee Daily Phoenix clipping
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Colored People Want Statehood Bill to Pass As It Is.
In this city last August the colored citizens of Indian Territory in a mass convention, considered the terms of the Hamilton bill for statehood relating to the question of suffrage. The convention elected a member of that body, Cornelius J. Jones, as a delegate to urge some amendment to the bill on that issue. But after considering the matter thoroughly, Mr. Jones wired the following to Senator Beveridge:
"Senator Beveridge, Washington D.C., United States Senate: In a mass convention of the colored citizens of the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory, held at Muskogee, August 16, 1904, we memoralized your committee for the elimination of that part of the statehood bill which permits limitation of suffrage in the new state because of 'illiteracy,' and I was elected as a delegate to present the memorial praying amendment to the bill to the end mentioned. I have decided that it will be unwise to urge a formal amendment, because such might complicate the passage of the bill as it now stands; but I plead with your committee through you as chairman that the greatest safeguard possible be thrown around the electors of the new state. Trusting your patriotism in this matter we submit our appeal for protection of suffrage to the people here as far as enabling legislation may apply.
"CORNELIUS J. JONES."
In this city last August the colored citizens of Indian Territory in a mass convention, considered the terms of the Hamilton bill for statehood relating to the question of suffrage. The convention elected a member of that body, Cornelius J. Jones, as a delegate to urge some amendment to the bill on that issue. But after considering the matter thoroughly, Mr. Jones wired the following to Senator Beveridge:
"Senator Beveridge, Washington D.C., United States Senate: In a mass convention of the colored citizens of the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory, held at Muskogee, August 16, 1904, we memoralized your committee for the elimination of that part of the statehood bill which permits limitation of suffrage in the new state because of 'illiteracy,' and I was elected as a delegate to present the memorial praying amendment to the bill to the end mentioned. I have decided that it will be unwise to urge a formal amendment, because such might complicate the passage of the bill as it now stands; but I plead with your committee through you as chairman that the greatest safeguard possible be thrown around the electors of the new state. Trusting your patriotism in this matter we submit our appeal for protection of suffrage to the people here as far as enabling legislation may apply.
"CORNELIUS J. JONES."
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Muskogee Daily Phoenix, “Muskogee Daily Phoenix clipping,” Mississippi State University Libraries, accessed December 22, 2024, https://msstate-exhibits.libraryhost.com/items/show/703.
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