The Constitution of Oklahoma has probably been misunderstood to some extent because of hostile criticism in the public press, inspired, as the people of Oklahoma believe, by the antagonism of special interests.

The Constitution of Oklahoma is nothing more nor less than what might have been expected from a community where hundreds of thousands of men were assembled within a few short years, coming from every state in the Union, and bringing with them their experience as citizens of other states. Trained lawyers from every state in the Union were assembled in Oklahoma, and took part in the drawing of the Constitution of the new State. They had before them a personal knowledge as well as the actual text of the Constitution of every state in the Union, and the knowledge of the judgments of courts relative thereto.

The most important thought which runs through the Constitution of Oklahoma is expressed in Section 11, of Bill-of-Bights, to wit:

“All persons have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry.”

It will here be observed that “the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry” is emphaiszed by being added to the usual declaration of the inherent right “to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” which other Constitutions have uniformly set forth.

The Constitution was drawn with a view to making this special declaration effective, and with a view to controlling monopolies and special privileges. Section 32 for example declares that “Perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free government, and shall never be allowed.”