The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-25
COUNCIL
PASSED
MEASURE
Locating Territorial Asylum
at Fort Supply.
VOTE ALMOST UNANIMOUS
Was Original Bill introduced
by Alexander.
VOTE ALMOST UNANIMOUS

Guthrie, o. T, Feb. 24.-Alexander's bill
locating a territorial insane asylum at
Fort Supply was passed by the council
this afternoon, the vote being nine for
the measure and one against 1t. three
members being absent. Those voting for
the bill were: Campbell. Foster, Gore,
Massingale, Updegraff, Webster, Winkler
WooIsey, and Alexander. Against-Blake-
ney.
Alexander introduced a substitute for
the original bill, which was taken up IN
place of the original measure. 1t pro-
vides that a board Of trustees shall have
control of the asylum. This board OF
trustees shall consist of the Governor and
two suitable persons, one TO be Demo-
crat. The first measure left the control
of the asylum to the superintendent OF
the institution. Several members Of the
council objected to this provision and to
satisfy these men, the board of trustees
was created. The salary of the superin-
fendent by the substitute bill is placed
at 1900 per year, when it was $500 per
year in the first bill introduced.
Blakeney in voting against the bill.
stated that he did not believe ii wise
10 locate an asylum at Fort Supply, as the
territory had no title to the building and
land. and that the secretary of the in
terror could demand the removal Of the
insane at any time, and that the territory
would have no recourse The bill will be
sent TO the house at once.
James University equipment appropria-
tion bill, after being amended, passed the
council today. The amenument limits the
apprcpriation for the next two years to
s5O.OOa The board of equalization may
determine the levy necessary to produce
s25. 600 for each year. The house passed
the James bill. making the appropri-
ution $4,000 for the next two years. At
ter being amended by the council the
bill was sent to the house and the lower
body concurred IN the council amend
nent. The bill will be sent to the gov
ernor and will undoubtedly receive his
signature.
The University people are fairly well
pleased with the appropriation, but some
friends of the institution had hoped for
more money. The entire amount viii be
expended for equipment, to replace that
burned when Suence hall was destroyed.
James, of Lexington, has worked hard
for the measure and received the con-
gratulations of friends today.
Robinson's bill appropriating S143.S5 for
Greer county teachers, was taken up un-
der a Suspension of the rules today and
passed by the house. School warrants
were issued when Greer county was in
dispute. the question being up whether
the county belonged to oklahoma or to
Texas The state of Texas refused to pay
the warrants and congress was asked to
appropriate. but this was not done. Rob
inson. TO clear the matter up. introduced
the bill, which was considered today.
The council committee on public lands
this morning favorable reported McTag
CARTS school land bill out of the COM
nittee. The members OF this COMMITTEES
held u number of meetings, but could not
agree on anything in the way of amend
ments substitute measure. substi-
tute bill was prepared embodying the
present rules of the school land depart
ment, but was not adopted by the COM
mittee. The McTaggart bill will be con-
sidered in the committee of the whole
The question of appraising the lands is
Taggart bill provides that school land
shall be appraised by county or township
assessors. An amendment is suggested
that the appraisement matter be left TO
the county commissioners or that ii be
controlled by the leasing board.
The house in the committee of the
whole this afternoon recommended that
Senator Campbelrs bill repeating the oil
law on the books pass. The statement
was made in debate that several judges
now on the bench had stated that the
present law Is farce.
Judge J. J. Merrck has not yet made
public explanation concerning the
charges made against him relative to the
oklahoma Sanitarium. 1t was expected
that Mr.. Merrick would demand that an
explanation be placed on the records of
the house today. 1t is known that he has
a<-explanation prepared. The episode has
now reached the stage where it is
question OF veracity between Smith and
Merrick.
Governor Ferguson has not taken fur
ther action in the matter. and it is be
neved that it will be dropped. Judge