ALPORME

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

November 20, 1906-2 P. M.

The Delegates elected to the Constitutional Convention to be held in accordance with an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to enable the people of Oklahoma and of the Indian Territory to form a Constitution and State Government and be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original states; and to enable the people of New Mexico and of Arizona to form a Constitution and State Government and be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original states." approved June 16th, 1906, met in the Convention Chambers in the City of Guthrie, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, the 20th day of November, A. D. 1906, it being the second Tuesday after the election, at the hour of two o'clock p. m.

Henry S. Johnston, of Perry, Oklahoma, Delegate-elect from the 17th District, arose and spoke as follows: The hour having arrived for the opening ceremonies of this Convention you will arise and attend prayer. The Rev. Frank Naylor, of Pawnee, will lead our

thoughts in supplication to the Divine Presence.

The Rev. Frank Naylor then offered a prayer as follows: Almighty and everliving God, we are devoutly thankful to Thee for the Providence that has brought us to this good hour. We thank Thee that from the conditions of a most discouraging nature, and struggles with poverty and disappointment, Thou hast made it possible for the conditions that obtain here today. We have been sent here in an earnest endeavor to frame a great Constitution for a great people and for generations which shall follow us. Thou hast not forgotten us in the past, we are needy now and ask Thee to continue Thy protective care over us. God bless the great mass of men, women and children who are anxiously awaiting the work of this body. Bless the men all over our State who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow. May their interests be carefully guarded.

God bless the President of the United States and all in authority. Preserve the peace of our Nation.

'Lord, while for all mankind we pray,

Of every clime and coast,

O, hear us for our native land,

The land we love the most.'

Bless the officers and members of this Convention.

M164839

Give them

wisdom and health and strength to fearlessly do their duties. May no selfish motive or ambition stand in the way of the greatest good to the greatest number. May each member feel that in Thy fear he wil! properly weigh every question for the good of the masses of the people. Hear us, we beseech Thee, and finally permit us to be with Thee and we will praise Thee forever. Amen."

The following address was then delivered by Mr. Johnston: From the consideration of the caucus of yesterday, the transcendant privilege of calling to order the first Constitutional Convention of the State of Oklahoma, has devolved upon me. For the compliment of that privilege no words of mine can express the emotions of gratitude welling up within me. And while I give this word of thanks to you for thus distinguishing me from among your number, my heart is lifted in fervent prayer that my daily association with you may build an estimate of my character worthy of the honor you have so generously bestowed. May it be that our daily communion and companionship shall bud and blossom into a gorgeous friendship in the consciousness of mutual worth.

From this word of personal relationship to you, I pray you to permit me to return to your number and of your body and rank and in our joint behoof to officiate as our spokesman. And now as the tongue and living voice of this convention, permit me first to say: Το the people of Guthrie, we thank you for your cordial and splendid welcome. Your kindness and hospitality has at once proven your own high ideals of courtesy and tied the bond of friendship to the heart anchorings of every several delegate.

To the people of Oklahoma and Indian Territory, we thank you. that you have presented and given to us this commission by which you have sent us to this solemn présence.

(Here Mr. Johnston unrolled and exhibited his delegate Certificate.)

By this grant of authority you have made these delegates your joint and several trustees. You have hereby made a requisition upon the energies and likewise have enlisted in your service the best inteiligence and highest devotion of which we are capable. By this letter of authority, you have said to us: "Go thou to the legal Mecca of these our Territories and lay firm and deep the organic law as a foundation whereupon we the people may build the great legal and political temple of the commonwealth of Oklahoma."

To which I wish on behalf of this convention to respond, that we not only render this expression of our keen sense of gratitude and appreciation, but here and now voice the deep feeling of responsibility with which the acceptance of this trust is laden. In behalf of these delegates, may I indulge the high hope that the labors of this con