Misplaced Pages

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120-577: The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's mission is to promote aviation, which includes ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across Oklahoma are met by the state's 110 public airports that comprise the state's air transportation system, and ensuring the growth and vitality of the state's aerospace industry. The commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma , serving six-year terms. Five members are appointed from among Oklahoma's five congressional districts with

240-623: A ballot initiative to limit governors to only eight years in office in a lifetime. The initiative also set the gubernatorial term of a lieutenant governor who becomes governor upon the death of the previous governor at two years. Former governors David Boren (1975–1979) and David Walters (1991–1995) are eligible for second and third terms having only served a single term respectively. George Nigh (1963; 1979–1987), Frank Keating (1995–2003) and Brad Henry (2003–2011) are eligible for third and fourth terms respectively. "I, ........., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend

360-720: A constitution. The hard work of the Sequoyah State Constitutional Convention was not entirely lost. When representatives from Indian Territory joined the Oklahoma State Constitutional Convention in Guthrie the next year, they brought their constitutional experience with them. The Sequoyah Constitution served in large part as the basis for the constitution of the State of Oklahoma, which came into being with

480-730: A constitutional convention. The Sequoyah Constitutional Convention met in Muskogee on August 21, 1905. General Pleasant Porter , Principal Chief of the Creek Nation, was elected as president of the convention. The elected delegates decided that the executive officers of the Five Civilized Tribes would be appointed as vice-presidents: William C. Rogers , Principal Chief of the Cherokees; William H. Murray , appointed by Chickasaw Governor Douglas H. Johnston to represent

600-695: A few months; institutions founded during this time were the University of Oklahoma , the Territorial Normal School ( University of Central Oklahoma ), and the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical School ( Oklahoma State University ). Representatives of the Five Civilized Tribes met in 1902 to work on securing statehood for Indian Territory and held a convention in Eufaula . The representatives met again in 1903 to organize

720-528: A general appropriations bill that must be approved by the legislature and signed by the governor. Like the president of the United States, the governor plays a major role in the legislative process. Every bill that is passed by both the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives , and every resolution requiring the assent of both chambers of the legislature, must, before it becomes

840-903: A governor and a lieutenant governor of the same party, as both Governor Kevin Stitt and Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell are of the Republican Party . The first instance of an Oklahoma governor serving alongside a lieutenant governor of a different political party began in 1963, when Republican governor Henry Bellmon served alongside Democratic lieutenant governor Leo Winters . Since then, there have been three more instances. In 1967, Republican governor Dewey F. Bartlett served alongside Democratic lieutenant governor George Nigh . In 1987, Bellmon served alongside Democratic lieutenant governor Robert S. Kerr III . Finally, in 2002, Democratic governor Brad Henry served alongside Republican lieutenant governor Mary Fallin . The governor may appoint

960-432: A law, be presented to the governor. The governor may choose to sign it or veto it and send it back to the legislature. The governor's veto can only be overridden by a two-thirds approval vote from each house. The governor has the power of the line-item veto , which allows them to sign part of appropriation bills into law, while sending appropriations items they disagree with back to the legislature. Items disapproved by

1080-595: A legislative branch elected by the people, but the executive and judicial branches of the territories were selected and appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate . The appointees included a governor, a secretary, three federal judges and a marshal. President Benjamin Harrison appointed George Washington Steele , a Republican from Indiana, as

1200-509: A more active role in looking for a resolution of the dispute. However, the attempt failed to resolve anything. Meanwhile, area residents officially organized Greer County as a Texas entity in 1886, designating Mangum as the county seat. In 1890, Congress passed the Oklahoma Organic Act, which required the United States attorney general to resolve the boundary issue by filing suit against Texas. The dispute went directly before

1320-567: A proclamation forbidding unlawful entry into Indian Territory in April 1879. Despite federal obstruction, popular demands for the land did not end. Captain David L. Payne was one of the main supporters of the opening of Oklahoma to White settlement. Payne traveled to Kansas , where he founded the Boomer "Colonial Association". Payne's organization of 10,000 members hoped to establish a white colony in

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1440-693: A referendum in Indian Territory, in which they were overwhelmingly endorsed. The delegation received a cool reception in Washington. Eastern politicians, fearing the admission of two more Western states, put pressure on President Theodore Roosevelt . Roosevelt recommended that the Indian and Oklahoma Territories be granted joint statehood, which led to Congress passing the Oklahoma Enabling Act to allow this upon writing and ratifying

1560-475: A result of his wounds. When the race was over, many disappointed pioneers were forced to leave the area without any claim. Of the 14,000 Boomers, only 1,000 had made claims. Tent cities grew overnight at Oklahoma City , Kingfisher , El Reno , Norman , Guthrie , and Stillwater , which were the first of the large settlements. Many lawsuits resulted because more than one person claimed a particular piece of land. Often this involved trying to determine which party

1680-591: A slight edge in representatives. However, the Democrats allied with delegates from the People's Party (Populists) and thereby controlled both houses. Populist delegates were elected as presiding officers in both. The legislators spent most of the session arguing about the locations of the capital, the state university, state teachers' college, and the agricultural school. Only near the end of the session did they begin to address other issues necessary to create and maintain

1800-469: A tortuous route to Ft. Smith. The public was outraged about his treatment by the military, and the U.S. government decided to try his case. Payne was turned over to the United States district court at Topeka, Kansas . He was indicted for the crime of bringing whiskey into Indian Territory, a federal offense. In the fall term, Judge Cassius G. Foster quashed the indictments and ruled that settling on

1920-426: A two-thirds vote of the territorial assembly. The governor also had the right to convene the assembly into special session. The territorial secretary served as the chief assistant to the governor, and in the event of a vacancy of the governorship the secretary would serve as the acting governor until the president appointed a new one. The secretary was responsible for recording and preserving the laws and proceedings of

2040-855: A vacancy upon the Oklahoma Supreme Court or on the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Judicial Nominating Committee submits three nominees to fill the vacancy to the governor and Oklahoma Supreme Court chief justice. The governor must appoint one to fill the vacancy within 60 days or the appointment is turned over to the chief justice. The governor also possess the power to grant commutations , pardons and paroles for all offenses, except cases of impeachment , upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem proper, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by law. The governor does not have

2160-476: Is designed to provide a glimpse into Oklahoma's history and culture. Artists represented in oil and bronze include N.C. Wyeth , Charles Marion Russell , Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt. As per the Oklahoma Constitution , if the governor is impeached, resigns, dies, leaves the state, fails to qualify or is unable to serve, the lieutenant governor fills the vacancy, either temporarily or for

2280-607: Is elected directly by the voters of Oklahoma during gubernatorial elections held in November during the final year of each four-year gubernatorial term. The candidate with the highest number of votes becomes governor following the election. The Oklahoma Constitution requires the Oklahoma Legislature to choose the governor in the case of a tie vote. Section Three of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution establishes that gubernatorial candidates must be citizens of

2400-415: Is elected or until the disability is removed from the governor or higher official. However, the emergency interim successor does not inherit the title of governor, unless there is a man-made or natural emergency or disaster has occurred in the United States. The Oklahoma Legislature , by concurrent resolution , may terminate the authority of any emergency interim successor to exercise the powers and discharge

2520-418: Is four years in length. The office was created in 1907 when Oklahoma was officially admitted to the United States as the 46th state. Prior to statehood in 1907, the office was preceded by a presidential appointed governor of Oklahoma Territory with similar powers. The 28th and current governor of Oklahoma is Kevin Stitt , a member of the Republican Party . Before statehood in 1907, modern day-Oklahoma

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2640-482: Is the "conservator of the peace throughout the State," making him or her the chief peace officer in the state. In the position of chief peace officer, the governor commands state and local law enforcement agencies . If law enforcement entities cannot execute the law, then the governor, acting as Commander-in-Chief of Oklahoma's state militia , may call out the Oklahoma National Guard to "execute

2760-401: Is third in line of gubernatorial succession. If the governor, lieutenant governor, senate president pro tempore, and speaker are unable to act as governor, then the next official in the line of succession becomes the emergency interim successor . As the emergency interim successor to the governor, the officer may exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the governor until a new governor

2880-481: Is used to operate the agency and to provide educational activities to inform the public about aeronautics. Governor of Oklahoma The governor of Oklahoma is the head of government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma . Under the Oklahoma Constitution , the governor serves as the head of the Oklahoma executive branch , of the government of Oklahoma . The governor is the ex officio commander-in-chief of

3000-520: The Constitution of the United States , and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Governor of

3120-605: The Creek , the Seminole , and the Cherokee . Couch stopped being a colonist and became a lobbyist. Couch spent four years in Washington, D.C., trying to convince Congress to open the Oklahoma lands. Many Indians from the Five Civilized Tribes lobbied against Couch's actions. In January 1889, Pleasant Porter led a group of Muscogee (Creek) who offered to sell their unoccupied lands. Within weeks, they sold their "Unassigned Lands" to

3240-634: The Indian Intercourse Act of 1834 when the United States Congress set aside land for Native Americans. At the time, the land was unorganized territory that consisted of the federal land "west of the Mississippi and not within the states of Missouri and Louisiana , or the territory of Arkansas ..." By 1856, the territory had been reduced to approximately the modern-day borders of the state of Oklahoma, except for

3360-637: The Kickapoo reservation of 206,662 acres (836.33 km ) was settled, and the year following Greer County , which had been considered a portion of Texas, was given to the territory by a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. These developments, with the Kiowa , Comanche and Apache and Wichita reservations just opened, gave Oklahoma Territory a settled area of 24,000,000 acres (97,000 km ), 1,725,646 acres (6,983.44 km ) of which

3480-519: The Oklahoma Legislature at or adjourn it to another place, when, in his opinion, the public safety or welfare, or the safety or health of the members require it. Such a change or adjournment must be concurred by two-thirds votes in all branches of the legislature. The governor plays an active role within the judicial branch of Oklahoma government. Oklahoma has a Judicial Nominating Commission consisting of thirteen members that review all potential justices and judges of Oklahoma's appellate courts, such as

3600-482: The Oklahoma Legislature in order to function. Instead, the commission is funded by a dedicated 0.0008% tax on motor fuels bought for aircraft use and a dedicated 3.25% tax on the purchase of aircraft. Those two dedicated taxes make up 80% of the commission's annual budget. The remaining 20% comes from federal grants and other fees for the commission's services. About half of that budget is dedicated to providing assistance to local airport improvement projects. The remainder

3720-418: The Oklahoma National Guard when not called into federal use. Despite being an executive branch official, the governor also holds legislative and judicial powers . The governor's responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the Oklahoma Legislature , submitting the annual state budget , ensuring that state laws are enforced, and that the peace is preserved . The governor's term

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3840-581: The Oklahoma Organic Act , which organized the western half of Indian Territory into Oklahoma Territory. The eastern half remained under Indian rule, predominantly that of the Five Civilized Tribes, as Indian Territory. Congress included in Oklahoma Territory the strip of country known as No Man's Land, embracing 3,681,000 acres (14,900 km ), which became Beaver County. In September 1890, the 1,282,434 acres (5,189.83 km ) of

3960-403: The Oklahoma Supreme Court , and review them to determine if they qualify to hold their respective positions. Of these thirteen members, the governor appoints six without the consent of the Oklahoma Legislature . The governor's appointments serve for a term of six years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the appointments become vacant every two years. In the event of

4080-512: The Sac and Fox , Iowa , and Pottawatomie reservations in the eastern part of Oklahoma Territory were opened to settlement. The following spring, the 4,397,771 acres (17,797.15 km ) of Cheyenne and Arapaho lands in the center of the territory were opened. On September 16, 1893, the Cherokee Outlet was opened to settlement, adding 6,014,239 acres (24,338.76 km ) of land. In 1895,

4200-524: The Supreme Court , since no lower court had jurisdiction . The court's opinion, in United States v. State of Texas 162 U.S. 1 (1896), issued on March 16, 1892, held that the land of approximately 1.5 million acres (6070 km /2345 mi ) belonged to the United States. Following that ruling, on May 4, 1896, the land was officially assigned by Congress to Oklahoma Territory. The Greer County Homestead Law, passed just afterwards, gave

4320-557: The United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas under federal judge Isaac C. Parker was the only form of criminal and civil jurisdictions. Despite that, the district was generally peaceful. Most land disputes were settled without bloodshed, although a few took years to resolve. For over a year the people of Oklahoma Territory were semi-autonomous. On May 2, 1890, Congress passed

4440-562: The "sooner clause" in the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889, which states that anyone who violated the official start would be denied a claim to the land. When the run began at noon, men on thousands of horses, wagons, buggies, carts, and vehicles rushed across to Oklahoma. The law-abiders fought with the Sooners on several instances. A legal pioneer shot and wounded William Couch, a Sooner. He died on April 21, 1890, as

4560-480: The Boomers into Indian Territory and founded Camp Stillwater on December 12, 1884. President Chester Arthur sent a small detachment of troops to escort Couch out of the territory. When the soldiers arrived, 200 armed men met them and refused to move. After 600 troops arrived as reinforcements, the officers gave the Boomers the choice of leaving within 48 hours or being apprehended. After the Boomers refused to leave,

4680-663: The Chickasaw; Chief Green McCurtain of the Choctaw; Chief John Brown of the Seminole; and Charles N. Haskell , appointed by Porter to represent the Creek. The convention drafted a constitution, drew up a plan of organization for the government, put together a map showing the counties to be established, and elected delegates to go to the United States Congress to petition for statehood. The convention's proposals were presented in

4800-654: The Indian Intercourse Act; he went to trial in Fort Smith, Arkansas . Judge Isaac C. Parker ruled against Payne and fined him the maximum amount of $ 1,000. Since Payne had no money and no property, the government could not collect the fine. The ruling settled nothing on the question of the public domain lands, and Payne continued his activities. Payne tried a third time to enter the Unassigned Lands. In December, Payne and his group moved along

4920-580: The Interior defined the boundaries and assigned the names of the three counties to be defined and their names assigned by executive proclamation when the Kiowa-Comanche and Wichita-Caddo Reservations were opened to settlement in 1901. Greer County, created by the Texas legislature on February 8, 1860, and named for John Alexander Greer , a Texas lieutenant governor, was land claimed by both Texas and

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5040-683: The Oklahoma Panhandle and Old Greer County . These lands became known as Indian Territory, as they had been granted to certain Indian nations under the Indian Removal Act , in exchange for their historic territories east of the Mississippi River . Until this point, Native Americans had exclusively used the land. In 1866, after the American Civil War , the federal government required new treaties with

5160-943: The Red River should be the correct boundary described by the Adams–Onís Treaty. Texas rejected that assertion and claimed the land south of the North Fork. The United States claimed the land north of the South Fork (previously named the Prairie Dog Town River ). Texas continued to claim sovereignty over Greer County during and after the Civil War. It opened the land to veterans of the Texas Revolution and Confederate Army veterans and leased land to ranchers. In 1884, President Chester A. Arthur took

5280-453: The Red River were not surveyed, as required by the fourth article of the treaty, until 1852. The problem was that the 100th meridian on the Melish map was approximately 90 miles (140 km) east of the true 100th meridian and the Red River forked about 50 miles (80 km) east of the 100th meridian. Another survey team discovered the mapping error in 1857 and showed that the southern fork was

5400-403: The State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability." The governor, according to the Oklahoma Constitution , must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." The governor is vested with "supreme executive power " as the state's "Chief Magistrate" and acts as head of the executive branch of Oklahoma. The governor has the power to issue executive orders that have the effect of law. The governor

5520-407: The Texas settlers the 160 acres (647,000 m ) they were living on and the option to purchase an additional 160 acres (647,000 m ) for $ 1.00 per acre ($ 247/km ). When Oklahoma became the 46th U.S. state on November 16, 1907, old "Greer County" was divided into Greer , Jackson , and part of Beckham counties. Mangum remained the county seat of the redefined Greer County. Harmon County

5640-486: The Unassigned Lands was not a criminal offense. The Boomers celebrated, but the federal government refused to accept the decision. Payne immediately planned another expedition, but he did not lead it. On November 28, 1884, in Wellington, Kansas , the morning after a late-night address to the Boomers, he collapsed and died. After Payne's death, his associate, William L. Couch , assumed the leadership role. Couch moved

5760-546: The Unassigned Lands. Once again, they were arrested and Payne was sent back to Fort Smith. He was found guilty and sentenced to pay a $ 1,000 fine. Upon his release, he returned to Kansas, where he spent the next four years trying to open Oklahoma. During Payne's last venture, this time into the Cherokee Outlet in 1884, the Army again arrested him. They took him several hundred miles under severe physical circumstances over

5880-408: The Unassigned Lands. The formation of the group prompted President Hayes to issue a proclamation ordering Payne not to enter Indian Territory on February 12, 1880. In response, Payne and his group traveled to Camp Alice in the Unassigned Lands, east of Oklahoma City . There, they made plans for a city, which they named "Ewing". The Fourth Cavalry arrested them and escorted them back to Kansas. Payne

6000-478: The United States appointed territorial governors to four-year terms. Despite a set term, the governor served at the pleasure of the U.S. president, meaning that the president could replace him before his term was up. The governor was the head of the territorial government. He had the power to veto legislation proposed by the territorial legislature and the power to appoint members to his cabinet, who in turn had to be ratified by territorial lawmakers. The governor had

6120-409: The United States to address national issues that may affect the state. It is the governor's responsibility to promote Oklahoma's industries to the world economy as the spokesman for industrial development within the state. Along with those responsibilities comes the role of chief promoter of Oklahoma's goods and services to foreign consumers. As Oklahoma's head of state, the governor may travel through

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6240-471: The United States House of Representatives to serve a two-year term. While unable to vote in the full House, the delegate was allowed to vote in a House committee of which the delegate was a member. The first territorial representative was David A. Harvey . Four men represented Oklahoma Territory as non-voting delegates in the United States House of Representatives: When Oklahoma Territory

6360-418: The United States in court cases. The territorial marshal was responsible for protecting the court system and for executing processes issued from the territorial courts. The territory's judiciary consisted of a territorial supreme court made up of three justices, a chief justice and two associate justices. Additional associate justices were added later as more counties were created in the territory. The judiciary

6480-519: The United States, at least 31 years old, and residents of Oklahoma for at least ten years prior to their candidacy. Under Section Four in Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution , the governor serves a four-year term in office beginning on the second Monday in January. Section Four also states that no person may hold the office for more than two consecutive terms. On November 2, 2010, voters passed

6600-622: The United States. The dispute arose from a map submitted with the Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819. The treaty stated that the boundary between the French claims on the north and the Spanish claims on the south of the United States was the Rio Roxo de Natchitoches ( Red River ) until it reached the 100th meridian west , as noted on John Melish's map published in 1818. However, the upper reaches of

6720-460: The United States. These lands embraced less than 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km ) in the heart of Indian Territory. On March 2, 1889, Congress passed an amendment to the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871, which provided for the creation of homestead settlements in the unassigned lands, to be known as Oklahoma Territory . President Benjamin Harrison announced that the Oklahoma lands would be opened on April 22 via land run. The Land Run of 1889,

6840-429: The addition of Kay , Grant , Woods , Garfield , Noble , and Pawnee counties. In 1896, the Oklahoma Territory acquired Greer County, Texas when the Supreme Court resolved the boundary case United States v. State of Texas in favor of the federal government. Today, this land in the southwest corner of the state is split into Greer , Jackson , Harmon , and part of Beckham counties. Oklahoma Territory began with

6960-645: The advice and consent of the Oklahoma Senate , such as with the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma . The governor is also responsible for preparing the proposed Oklahoma state budget presented to the Oklahoma Legislature in February for the next fiscal year beginning in July. After state legislators negotiate the terms of the budget with the governor, the Oklahoma House of Representatives drafts

7080-503: The annual State of the State address . Before a joint session of the Oklahoma Legislature , the governor outlines the status of the state and legislative proposals for the upcoming year. The governor is in a strong position to influence public opinion and thereby to influence the actions of state legislators. The governor has the power to convoke the legislature, or the Oklahoma Senate only, on extraordinary occasions. During extraordinary sessions, state legislators can only act on subjects

7200-465: The applicant for clemency, and a favorable vote from the majority, the board may empower the governor to make such acts of as he deems necessary. The governor has the power to grant after conviction, reprieves , or a leave of absence not to exceed sixty days, without the action of the board. The governor is required to communicate to the Oklahoma Legislature , at each regular session, each case of reprieve, commutation, parole or pardon, granted, stating

7320-632: The assembly and the acts and proceedings of the governor. Copy of the same would semi-annually be submitted to the president, the President of the United States Senate , and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for their review. A territorial attorney was responsible for giving legal advice to the governor and assembly, served as the chief law enforcement official of the territory, and represented Oklahoma Territory and

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7440-564: The center of the Indian Nation Territory. Elias C. Boudinot , a railroad lobbyist, wrote an article that was published in the Chicago Times on February 17, 1879, that popularized the term Unassigned Lands to refer to this tract. Soon the popular press began referring to the people agitating for its settlement as Boomers . To prevent settlement of the land by European-Americans, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued

7560-432: The commanders moved their troops across the Kansas border and cut off Couch's supply lines. Soon their food was gone, and Couch and the other Boomers were escorted back to Kansas. In response to Couch's claims that the federal government was discriminating against them, on March 3, 1885, Congress approved the Indian Appropriations Act of 1885. This act authorized negotiations for the cession of unoccupied lands belonging to

7680-410: The consent of Congress to take effect. They had the same force of law, as did a law passed by a regular state government. Laws enacted by the assembly could be suspended by the President of the United States or revoked, in part or in their entirety, by an act of Congress . When Steele took office, he issued an executive order on July 8, 1890, calling for the first elections to the assembly. The election

7800-414: The country to promote Oklahoma in a general interest or travel abroad to serve as proponent of America's interests. Pursuant to the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003 and the Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act , in case a natural or man-made emergency or a catastrophic health emergency occurs or is anticipated in the immediate future, the governor gains emergency powers to better respond to

7920-465: The duties of the governor. Oklahoma Territory 35°24′N 97°00′W  /  35.4°N 97°W  / 35.4; -97 The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the state of Oklahoma . The 1890 Oklahoma Organic Act organized

8040-417: The duty of the governor to outline the boundaries of the counties, name the county seats, and to appoint territorial and county officers with the consent of the territorial council. Laws passed by the territorial assembly had to be presented to the governor for his approval. If he did not approve, he would veto if and return it to the assembly for reconsideration. The governor's veto could only be overridden by

8160-414: The emergency and combat the threat. Either the governor through executive order or the Oklahoma Legislature through concurrent resolution may declare a state of emergency. Once declared, the governor may exercise additional emergency powers. At any time, the governor (through executive order) or the state legislature (through concurrent resolution) may declare an end to the state of emergency and suspend

8280-406: The evacuation of the state's population from any affected or threatened area or areas within the state, regulating the conduct of civilians and the movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and regulating public meetings and gatherings. The governor is responsible for providing for the care of all those regulated by their orders. During a state of emergency, the governor is authorized to utilize

8400-435: The first chief justice and John G. Clark of Wisconsin and Abraham J. Seay of Missouri as the first associate justices. Oklahoma Territory was divided into seven Judicial Districts in 1902, as follows: Charles Brown of Kansas was named the first Attorney General and Horace Speed of Guthrie (formerly of Indiana) was appointed the first United States attorney in Oklahoma. The territory was entitled to elect one delegate to

8520-414: The first land run in the territory's history, opened Oklahoma Territory to settlement on April 22, 1889. Over 50,000 people entered the lands on the first day, among them thousands of freedmen and descendants of slaves. Couch and his Boomers, now numbering approximately 14,000, also entered the race. Those who entered Oklahoma before the official start of the race were called Sooners . The term referred to

8640-411: The first territorial governor. The organic act called for the establishment of a bicameral Territorial Legislative Assembly composed of a Territorial Council , the upper house of the assembly, and Territorial House of Representatives , the lower house of the assembly. The assembly could only create laws consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the organic act but did not require

8760-573: The governor heads each department and carries out his executive orders through that department. The governor is an ex officio chair of numerous state commissions and committees, including the Oklahoma Commissioners of Land Office and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission . While there are executive and state commissions of which the governor is not a member, the governor has appointment power to those entities with

8880-490: The governor in this manner become void, unless the legislation is re-passed in both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate with a two-thirds vote in favor of overriding the veto. Bills that are part of the governor's agenda are often drafted at the initiative of the governor or governor's staff. In annual and special messages to the Oklahoma Legislature , the governor may propose legislation. The most important annual message to state lawmakers takes place in

9000-416: The governor is empowered by the U.S. Constitution to appoint someone immediately to fill the vacant Senate seat temporarily until a special election can be held. Within the executive branch of Oklahoma government, the governor is assisted by the lieutenant governor of Oklahoma , the secretary of state of Oklahoma , the attorney general of Oklahoma , and the state treasurer of Oklahoma , among others. While

9120-470: The governor may not remove from office the elective state executive officers, the justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court , the judges of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals , and members of the Oklahoma Legislature . When carrying out the functions of emergency powers, the governor is immune from civilly liable for any loss or injury resulting from any decision, determination, order or action in

9240-430: The governor recommends for consideration. When ever a vacancy occurs within the state legislature, the governor shall issue a writ of election to fill such vacancies. In case of a disagreement between the two houses of the legislature, at a regular or special session, the governor may adjourn them to such time as he shall deem proper, not beyond the day of the next stated meeting of the legislature. The governor may convoke

9360-403: The governor to the lieutenant governor. This includes the power of signing or vetoing legislation, making political appointments, calling out the Oklahoma National Guard , or granting pardons . The need for the lieutenant governor to act as the governor may be due to the governor's absence from the state, or the inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office. When acting as governor,

9480-569: The governor's emergency powers is to ensure the security and stability of the state. The governor receives comprehensive police powers in an emergency. In discharging those power to enforce laws, rules and regulations relating to emergency management , the governor assumes direct operational control of emergency management forces of the state, including the Oklahoma National Guard , state police agencies, state and local health departments, as well as county sheriff's offices and local police departments. These emergency police powers extend to providing for

9600-611: The governor's emergency powers. Upon the declaration of an emergency, the governor is allowed a limited-form of rule by decree . He assumes direct regulatory control over essential resources of the state. It will then be the responsibility of the governor to determine the priorities of such resources and allocate them as the governor may deem necessary. These resources include, but are not limited to, food, manpower, health and health manpower, water, transportation, economic stabilization, electric power, petroleum, gas, and solid fuel, industrial production, construction and housing. The focus of

9720-400: The governor's office of its powers and impeached governors John C. Walton and Henry S. Johnston . It was not until William H. Murray took office in 1935 that the governorship expanded its powers. In 1927, the state legislature appropriated $ 75,000 for the construction of a governor's mansion and $ 25,000 for furnishings. In 1928, the governor and his family moved in. As Oklahoma grew and

9840-493: The governor's position as the spokesman for the state and the state's interests to other state and world leaders. However, the governor may not make treaties with other nations or other U.S. states , as this is prevented by the United States Constitution . In discharging his duty as chief spokesman, the governor may be required to testify before the United States Congress or meet with the President of

9960-489: The governor, unless otherwise provided by law, has the power to appoint a person to fill such vacancy, who shall continue in office until the election or appointment of a successor. If the office of an Oklahoma member of the United States House of Representatives or United States Senate becomes vacant the governor calls a special election to fill the remainder of the term. In the case of United States senators,

10080-425: The governor. However, before removal, officers must receives the charges against them and have an opportunity to defend themselves. Pending the presentation of charges, the governor may suspend such officers for a period not to exceed thirty days. Any vacancy resulting from removal or suspension shall be filled by the governor until it is filled as provided by state law. However, according to the Oklahoma Constitution ,

10200-479: The laws, protect the public health, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion." The governor is assisted in managing the military of Oklahoma by the Adjutant General of Oklahoma , an appointee of the governor. The governor has the power to commission officers not otherwise commissioned by the law of Oklahoma and has the power of appointment. When any office at the state level becomes vacant for any reason,

10320-483: The lieutenant governor holds the powers of the governor until the governor returns to the state or found to be able to discharge the powers and duties of the office. The Office of the Governor is the state agency that supports the governor in the performance of gubernatorial duties. The agency consists of the governor's staff and is headed by the governor's chief of staff. Staffers are political appointees and serve at

10440-410: The lieutenant governor to their cabinet. For example, Governor Mary Fallin appointed Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb to serve as her small business advocate within her Cabinet – although Lamb later resigned that position due to disagreements with the Governor. A lieutenant governor can also serve as Acting Governor . When acting as the governor, the Oklahoma Constitution provides all the powers of

10560-538: The mansion was completed. Built by an Oklahoma City architectural firm, Layton, Hicks and Forsyth, the mansion is of Dutch-Colonial style. Carthage limestone was used so the exterior of the Mansion would complement the Oklahoma State Capitol , which is located to the west of the mansion. The state legislature allocated $ 100,000 of state money ($ 75,000 for construction and $ 25,000 for furnishing) to

10680-528: The merger of the two territories in 1907. Territorial Governor Frank Frantz oversaw the transition from territory to state. He was selected as the Republican nominee to serve as the state's first governor . He faced the Democratic Charles N. Haskell in the election on September 17, 1907. In the same election, the Oklahoma Constitution was proposed. The constitution was passed and Haskell

10800-489: The name of the convict, the crime of which he was convicted, the date and place of conviction, and the date of commutation, pardon, parole and reprieve. The governor, as Oklahoma's head of state, serves as the chief representative of Oklahoma to the United States and to the world. Deals between Oklahoma and foreign powers (including other U.S. states and the United States) are negotiated by the governor. This reflects

10920-412: The northern border of Indian Territory. They were followed by a unit of cavalry under the command of Colonel J. J. Copinger. Copinger warned Payne that if he crossed the border that they would be "forcibly resisted". As the number of Boomers grew as people joined Payne, they sent a messenger to President Hayes asking permission to enter Indian Territory. After weeks of no response, Payne led his followers to

11040-431: The oath of office. Frank Frantz served as the final governor of Oklahoma Territory. He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in the first state gubernatorial election. After the Oklahoma Constitution was written and accepted in 1907, the Oklahoma and Indian territories joined to form the U.S. state of Oklahoma . The office of the governor of Oklahoma replaced the office of territorial governor. The new office

11160-625: The operation and upkeep of the Governor's Mansion . Since 1928, Oklahoma governors reside in the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion . Before its construction, governors lived in various locations around Guthrie and Oklahoma City . Governor Charles N. Haskell set up his administration's office and his official residence within a hotel in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Legislature provided for the construction of an official residence after years of debate in 1927. The next year, in 1928,

11280-410: The organic act creating it, which served as a semi-governing document. The organic act provided for a complete organization of the territory, defined the functions of the territorial government, placed limitations upon the acts of the legislative assembly, as well as that of the territorial officers. It also designated the town of Guthrie as the territorial capital. Congress provided for the creation of

11400-643: The other high-level executive offices are elected directly by the people of Oklahoma, the secretary of state is appointed by the governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate for a four-year term. Due to the large number of state agencies, the governor is assisted in running the government through the use of the Oklahoma State Cabinet . Through the Cabinet, the governor can address the assembled heads of Oklahoma's executive branch departments which oversee Oklahoma's agencies. A secretary appointed by

11520-429: The performance of the governor's assigned duties and responsibilities during a stated emergency. However, this immunity does not apply when such loss or injury is caused by the gross negligence, or willfully and unnecessarily act by the governor. The lieutenant governor of Oklahoma is elected at the same election as the governor, but not jointly as the running mate of the gubernatorial candidate. Oklahoma currently has

11640-481: The pleasure of the governor. They work in the governor's Oklahoma State Capitol offices in Oklahoma City , the governor's Tulsa office and the Governor's Mansion . As of 2013, the agency has an annual budget of approximately $ 1.98 million. The budget provides funding for employee salaries and benefits, operation and upkeep of the governor's offices in the Oklahoma State Capitol and Tulsa, Oklahoma , and

11760-436: The power to appoint justices to the territorial high court. The governor was responsible to the U.S. president on addressing issues in the territory and served as the representative as the federal government of the United States . He was also the commander-in-chief of the territorial militia. George Washington Steele served as the first governor of Oklahoma Territory. He vetoed the territorial legislature's attempts to move

11880-481: The power to grant paroles if a convict has been sentenced to death or sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. In order to grant a pardon to an individual, he must submit the name of the individual to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board composed of five members, three of which are appointed by the governor at the beginning of his term in office to serve a term that coincides with his own. After reviewing

12000-445: The project. Two years later, another $ 39,000 was set aside to complete outbuildings and landscaping. Though originally having 19 rooms, today the 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m ) Mansion has 12, including a library, parlor, dining room, grand ballroom, kitchen, sunroom and five bedrooms. The mansion also serves as an active museum. Throughout the mansion there are antiques and artwork from both museum and private collections. The museum

12120-469: The remainder of the gubernatorial term. If, during a vacancy of the office of governor, the lieutenant governor is impeached, displaced, resigns, dies, is absent from the state, or becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the president pro tempore of the state senate is the next official in the gubernatorial line of succession. The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives

12240-465: The remaining two appointed at-large. The commission is responsible for appointing the State Director of Aeronautics to serve at its pleasure. The current director is Victor Bird, having served in that position since December 2002. The commission was established in 1963 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon . The commission was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1963. Its predecessor

12360-464: The remaining two appointed from the State at-large. To be appointed to the commission, a member must be a citizen of the State with at least three years experience in aeronautics activities. The governor may remove any member of the commission for inefficiency or neglect of duty. As of FY17, the members of the commission are as follows: The Aeronautics Commission is a non-appropriated State agency. As such, it does not rely upon annual appropriations from

12480-426: The services, equipment, supplies and facilities of all departments, offices and agencies of the state to the maximum extent practicable. State, county, and local officers and personnel must cooperate with the governor in emergency management, based upon he governor's direction. Any state, county, or local official that willful fails to obey any order, rule or regulation issued by the governor may be removed from office by

12600-521: The state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City or Kingfisher. He was instrumental in the establishment of two universities that would become the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University . After only seventeen months in office, Steele resigned effective October 18, 1891. In his place, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Abraham Jefferson Seay to the governorship. Robert Martin , secretary of Oklahoma Territory, served as acting governor from October 18, 1891, until February 1892, when Seay took

12720-426: The state government expanded, the office of the governor became gradually more powerful. As more agencies were introduced, the governor gained greater indirect influence through the power of appointment. Initially the governor was not eligible to immediately succeed himself. It was not until 1966 that Oklahoma amended the state constitution to allow the governor to serve two consecutive terms. The governor of Oklahoma

12840-425: The territory. Steele became so disgusted by the political stalemate that he resigned his position and returned to Indiana. The Oklahoma Territorial Legislature met for the last time in 1905. The territorial governor was vested with the executive power of the territory, was responsible for ensuring that its laws were faithfully executed, and served as the symbol of the federal government in the territory. The governor

12960-649: The tribes that had supported the Confederacy and forced them into land and other concessions. As a result of the Reconstruction Treaties , The Five Civilized Tribes were required to emancipate their slaves and offer them full citizenship in the tribes if they wanted to stay in the Nations. This forced many of the tribes in Indian Territory into making concessions. U.S. officials forced the cession of some 2,000,000 acres (8,100 km ) of land in

13080-606: The western half of Indian Territory and a strip of country north of Texas known as No Man's Land (now the Oklahoma Panhandle ) into Oklahoma Territory. Native American reservations in the new territory were then opened to settlement in a series of land runs in 1890, 1891, and 1893. Seven counties were defined upon the creation of the territory. They were originally designated by number and eventually became Logan , Cleveland , Oklahoma , Canadian , Kingfisher , Payne , and Beaver counties. The Land Run of 1893 led to

13200-459: Was a legal claimant. A portion of the cases even went as far as the U.S. Supreme Court. By the end of the day on April 22, 1889, there were more than enough settlers in the Unassigned Lands to require creation of a territorial government. However, the brief legislation that provided for the opening of the land called for no form of government in Oklahoma. No local police or courts were established; federal military troops provided law enforcement, and

13320-429: Was composed of Oklahoma and Indian territories . While Indian Territory was semi-independent of the federal government as Indian nations land, Oklahoma Territory was an organized territory under the supervision of the United States Congress . Within the Oklahoma Territory, a tripartite government existed, including a territorial legislature, a territorial supreme court, and a territorial governor. The president of

13440-434: Was created in 1890, seven counties were defined and designated numerically. Thereafter, when additional lands were opened to settlement, new counties were designated by the letters of the alphabet. Later, by vote of the people, these were given permanent county names. The first seven numbered counties later were named as follows: Logan , Cleveland , Oklahoma , Canadian , Kingfisher , Payne and Beaver . The Secretary of

13560-464: Was elected governor. Once the people of Oklahoma adopted the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma and Indian Territories officially dissolved, and the State of Oklahoma was admitted to the Union as the 46th state. With the passage of the Oklahoma organic act in 1890, the territorial government came into existence. The territorial government had no constitution, except for sections of

13680-523: Was furious, as the Posse Comitatus Act prohibited the military from interfering in civil matters. The federal government freed Payne and his party, effectively denying them access to the courts. Anxious to prove his case in court, Payne and a larger group returned to Ewing in July. The Army again arrested the party and escorted them back to Kansas. Again they were freed, but this time the federal government charged Payne with trespassing under

13800-492: Was given a wide jurisdiction. It functioned as a United States Federal Court , but its jurisdiction extended to a trial of cases, both civil and criminal, arising under the code enacted by the territorial assembly. The court could sit half of the day as a federal court and the other half as territorial court. It would also serve as a supreme court and hear cases that had been appealed from territory's lower courts. President Benjamin Harrison appointed Edward B. Green of Illinois as

13920-468: Was set for August 5, 1890. The assembly was to have convened August 12, but owing to the death of two members-elect, a special election was called, and the convening of the legislature was postponed until August 27, 1890. The territorial assembly met for 120-day sessions in Guthrie. The first legislative session was narrowly divided between Republican and Democratic Party members, with Republicans having

14040-422: Was similar, but designed with new restrictions, limits, and legislative and judicial oversight. It was crafted as a "weak governor system" to defend the state against abuses of power that had occurred under the territorial government. Oklahoma's first governor, Charles N. Haskell , wielded executive power effectively, but in the first 20 years after he left office in 1911, the Oklahoma Legislature further limited

14160-470: Was still included in Indian reservations. With the passage of the Organic Act of 1890 , Oklahoma Territory existed from 1890 to 1907. During that time, seven governors and two acting governors administered the territory. During its 17-year existence, little of note occurred because of the growing idea of statehood, which had originated in Indian Territory. Most of the governors stayed in office for only

14280-403: Was the ex officio commander-in-chief of the territorial militia and the federal troops in the territory as well as ex officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs. The governor possessed the power to grant pardons for offenses against the laws of the territory. He could grant reprieves for offenses against the laws of the United States until the president made his decision on the matter. It was also

14400-637: Was the Oklahoma Aviation Commission. The Aeronautics Commission is under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation . Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin , Mike Patterson is serving as the Secretary. The commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma . Each member serves a six-year term. One member is appointed from among each of Oklahoma's congressional districts with

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