The Making of the Constitution of Oklahoma

 The U.S. Congress passed the Enabling Act on November 6, 1906, which provided for creating the State of Oklahoma and writing the state constitution. On November 20, 1906, 112 delegates met in City Hall at Guthrie to draft the constitution.  The constitutional convention, instead of completing its work in sixty days, as outlined in the enabling act, remained in session until March 5, 1907, and then took a recess until April 16th, at which time the members assembled and signed the document. July 24, 1907, Governor Frantz issued his proclamation calling an election on September 17 for the people of Oklahoma and Indian Territory to vote on the adoption of the constitution, on the adoption of July 24, 1907, Governor Frantz issued his proclamation calling an election on September 17 for the people of Oklahoma and Indian Territory to vote on the adoption of the constitution, on the adoption of A year later on November 16, 1907, statehood ceremonies were held on the steps of Guthrie's Carnegie Library. The results of the election of September 17th were certified to the president in October, and in the same month it was decided that the new state should be received into the union on November 16th following.  The vote as finally canvassed and certified to the president of the United States by the canvassing board on October 8.  The ceremonies of statehood day began in Washington, in the cabinet room of the president. Little formality attended the act. A number of Oklahoma citizens, several senators from other states, and newspaper correspondents were in the room when, at 10:16 o'clock, Secretary Loeb threw open the double doors leading from the president's private office. The secretary had the proclamation in his hand and laid it on the large square blotter at the head of the table. The president entered, greeted those assembled, and took his seat at once. He was handed a long eagle quill pen and himself lifting the lid from the inkstand, dipped the pen and wrote his name in large letters, the pen making an audible scratch with each movement. When he had finished his signature the president picked up a small blotter, with which he blotted his name, and then, looking up, exclaimed, "Oklahoma is a state." The act of signing took just one minute, and the president then retired from the room, while the others hastened to communicate the news to the waiting crowds at the Oklahoma capital.