The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-08-14
ABOUT TERRIToRY PRISONS:
A Probability That Three VIII b
BUTT Soon.
,ial to the Ardmoreite

Probability That Three VIII DC
Built Soon. +
Special to the Ardmoreite.
Washington, ID. c., Aug. 13.-
Tentative plans are now being pre-
pared at the department of justice
for the construction of three fed
eral jails in the Indian Territory.
In 1897 congress authorized the
construction of three federal jails
in the Territory. and left the loca-
tion optional with the attorney
general. AT the same time an ap-
preparation of $4,000 was made.
After much delay. caused by a bit
ter contest waged among promi-
nent people of the Territory for
the selection of their respective !
towns as the proper location for
Jails, Attorney General Griggs fin
ally designated Muskogee, South
McAIester and Ardmore as the most
central and satisfactory locations.
This fight was particularly bitter
between the towns Of Wagner and
Muskogee. both of which were
seeking to secure every advantage
which could be used as an argu
ment for the location of the capi-
, tai of the Territory when a terri
, torial form of government is fin
ally established. Because of its
central location and excess of court
business over Wagner, Muskogee
was agreed upon.
y Since that time the government
: has been unable to acquire titles to
D property in the towns of Musko-
gee, South McAlester and Ard
y more, owing to the unsettled state
J.. of affairs existing.
n The federal statutes specifically
r provide that no federal buildings
: shall be erected upon ground the
= title to which is net vested in the
q United States. AS no valid titles
|, to sites could be procured, the con-
If struction of these jails were post
't poned. Recently communications
= have been received from Muskogee,
"a South McAlester and Ardmore an
,e nouncing that the townsite com
e missioners have so far concluded
lie their work as to permit of the ap
20 praisement and sale of Jail sites in
~ the near future. Owing to the
id poor Jail facilities now existing tht
is department of justice is anxious t(
g expedite the construction of new
10 jails as rapidly as possible. Th'
plans will be prepared by the time
the appraisement and sale of th'
" property is concluded, and bid!
r., will be called for as soon as thu
department of justice is Informed
I'd by its district attorneys that title,
IL to the sites have been secured.
81 According to the act of congress
~ the amount to be expended on eacl
g. jail was left discretionary with til,
a, attorney general. The $50, 900 ap
g. propriated can be divided between
20 the three towns as Attorney Ger
= eral Griggs may deem best for tn
at public service. AS the number o
oy arrests and confnements in Jail ar
ne much larger in the northern thai
% in the middle and southern dis
ss tricts, the probabilities are tina
al the Jail constructed at Muskoge
IN will be considerably larger thai
p those at South McAlester and Ard
~ ~ more. In other words the appro
- priations will be divided in proper
n ton to the demand for Jail facili
D. ties in the three districts. This viii
m probably mean that Muskogee will
., ~ receive $25. 900 and South McAles
10 ~ ter and Ardmore SIT, 500 each.
re The plans now being prepared
to contemplate the construction o
D. stone jails, with offices in the from
y and cages extending back in tn
"a rear. They will be so arranged
ne that if it is found they are INSULT
al cient to meet the demands, addi
,tions can be added from time t,
time in the rear, thus increasing
the number of cells.
a. Last winter the attorney genera
n asked congress to increase the ap
ty preparation to $12O. 600, but Chair
id man Cannon of the appropriation
n committee of the house refused tn
80 80 request, stating that the appropri
= alton authorized three years pre-