The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-16
OKLAHOMA
LEGISLATURE
is WORKING
Bill introduced Regarding
Fort Supply.
COUNCIL DID LITTLE WORK
Fort Supply Bill introduced
by Edgar Jones.
COUNCIL DID LITTLE WORK


and the council were in session today,
and will convene for a short session to-
morrow. 1t is expected that the announce
ment of some of the committees will be
made.
The house convened both morning and
afternoon. The council convened this af-
ternoon, but did nothing of interest to
the territory The first matter of ter
I:torial interest was a resolution intro
duced by Edgar Jones, of Logan county,
to convert Fort Supply for use as a
penitentiary and asylum location. The
resolution was read before the house this
afternoon and laid On the table till tomor-
row, when action is expected to be taken
on it by a committee OF the whole.
The resolution follows:
Resolved. That a joint committee, con-
s:sting of two members from the house
OF representatives. to be appointed by
the speaker thereof, and one from the
council. to be appointed by the president
thereof, be appointed to investigate and
report to this legislative assembly:
''F1rst-Whether or not the contract be-
tween this territory and the state OF
INanSaS uflder WDlcn COHNlclS COiIiieN
IN The penitentiary at Lansing, Kansas, is
within the power of the proper authorities
of the territory under The laws now In
fierce, and whether or not, in the opin-
ion of said committee, the contract now
in force between the said territory and
the state of Kansas pursuant to the stat
utes in this territory is legal and binding,
and to examine and report fully the effect
of the recent decision of the supreme
court of Kansas upon the application of
one. /. y. Terrill to be released from Gus
tody
''Second-To ascertain, if possible what
disposition the state of Kansas purposes
10 make of the prisoners now held in its
prison by virtue of the judgment and
sentence of the courts of said territory,
and under the contracts now in force;
and further, whether the said state of
Kansas is willing and will if desired by
the territory, continue said contract in
force for the next ensuing two years.
''Third-Whether or not it would be
practical to provide for the care, custody
and confinement of the territorial pfis-
cners within the boundaries of oklahoma,
and if so at what point in said territory
such provision should be made.
fs practical to provide for the care Gus
tody and confinement of Oklahoma con-
victs within the boundaries of Oklahoma
by contract. as now provided for the care
of the insane.
''Fifth-To ascertain whether or not it
ie practical. possible and advisable 10
provide for convict labor TO be expended
IN the Improvement of the public high |
4 =
:. can or may be done by contract with |
The various counties of the territory or |
should be under the direction and control |
OF the public officers to be appointed by |
the governor.
"SiNth-To report any and all informa-
tion which viii be OF value to the legis- |
1Gture of Oklahoma in determining the |
hest plan for the care. custody, disci- |
pine. maintenance and confinement of the |
territorial convicts of Oklahoma; that |
said committee so constituted shall make |
fts report to the legislative assembly on |
or before the first day of February, 1893. |
The members of said committee shall re-
ceive no compensation for service on such |
committee except that in case it shall be |
necessary for said committee to visit any |
locality for the purpose of determining on |
the confinement of said prisoners, neces-
sary expenses of said committee. while |
absent from Guthrie. shall be paid. Said |
committee shall have power to employ a |
stenographer. and shall have power to |
send for persons and papers. and there is |
hereby appropriated out of the territorial |
treasury. from any funds not otherwise !
appropriated. sum sufficient TO pay the
Of I'D ,,,,;.t
exceeding three hundred dollars. or SO /
much thereof as may be necessary.
The house convened at 10 o'clock. There /
was general ''hullabaloo" over the cor
rection of the minutes. From three to |
four members each had a different solu- |
lion Of the correction. Finally, Colonel |
Jim Duffy submitted his views to Judge |
James ]. Merrick and the minutes were
corrected accordingly.
Then nominations We're made for a few |
more dozens of assistant janitors. and an
other row took place. Here is a sample |
Of the dia and tri-alogue that took place |
ever this question:
Judge Merrick-'Mr. Speaker. I wish to |
ask for information. When is it under |
stood by the Democratic side OF this /
house that the pay of the enrolling clerks /
begin"
Speaker Bowles-"T think
Whereupon ]. /. Matthews. Pop-Demo-
crat. broke in: I want to say that l do I
not believe il is right to bring men, women
end children here and put them To the
expense Of living and not receive any
compensation for two weeks time II /
would be Just as Just for them not to
come for two weeks after being sworn in
believe that this is not just aud I wish
e. express disapproval Of this proposed
Injustice"
The following resolution was introduced
snd the house would have taken action
on the contest case. had not Judge Mer-
Tsck made a point of order. showing that
q hours had 10 be given.
The resolution which was introduced by
Joseph X Tottle. Of Comanche county
follows;
Resolved. That a committee consisting
OF Ave members of the house. be appoint
such proper and relevant evidence as
either party may Offer in the matter Of
the contest for a seat as a mernber Of
tais house for the First representative
district. now pending upon the contest
petition and proceedings on file and |
pending between Edward Manley as con-
testant, and James wiikin. as eontestee
and thSt the said committee bs author
fzed TO proceed TO said First represents
tive district for the purpose of taking
such evidence as IN their judgment may
b. ohtainable and necessary TO a full in
vestieation Of said contest That sail |
committee make findings from the e,-i-