The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-21
OKLAHOMA C0NvICTS.
Where Will the Territory Keep Them
After January %, 1905.

Guthrie, Okla, Sept. 21.-The fact
that congress has kept an unqualified
prohibition upon Olxlahoma's building
fund has produced a situation which
promises to become serious along
about next January. The territory has
no home for her convicts, but it ap-
pears very much as if she will have
to be solely responsible for them after
the present contract with Kansas ex-
pireS.
Kansas has housed and fed Okla
hOma'S felonS since January 1, 1891,
but the Sunf1ower state is getting tired
of the job. In fact, it was with dlfh-
Guilty that Governor Ferguson, about
year ago, secured an extension of
the contract until January 81, 1905.
AS it was, he was compelled to agree
to an increase of cents a day for
each prisoner, and this with the I'M
Outstanding that at the expiration of
the time named the state prison at
Lansing would under no consideration
be used as a lodging place for inn
ported felons.
Kansas will, of course, have a new
administration when the contract eX-
pires, but Governor Ferguson does not
hope for any material change in the
situation. He regards the policy of
Governor Bailey and the present pen
itentiary board in refusing to extend
the contract longer as due to general
feeling throughout the state. Also,
the Kansas legislature had, a short
time previous to the agreement, ex-
pressed itself upon the question
There are at present nearly 400
Oklahoma prisoners at Lansing. They
are costing the territory 40 cents
day each-a total of $3.50 a day, or
$25, 500 a year. Oklahoma has already
paid Kansas in round figures $225,0O0
for the maintenance of cOnVictS in
little less than seven years. This
would have paid for a pretty good
prison at home and fed the prisoners
at the same time.
legislature will have to take hold of
the matter early in its session next
spring. This body cannot provide a
penitentiary, but the Good Roads as
ISOLATION is preparing to come for
ward again with proposition. 1t is
understood that the association viii
advocate working. all the convicts
upon highway improvements, the
men out in the open, and
those who are serving life sentences
or other terms of long duration, with
in StockadeS.
Stockades, it is argued, could be
and provided with stone
crushers without the necessity of in
va ding the public building fund. The
majority of the convicts being those
convicted for minor felonies only a
comparatively small number would
have to be kept in the enclosures
probably just about enough to supply
the road hands with the necessary
gravel. -
One of the strongest arguments adj
vanced in support of this proposition
is that the convicts would become at
least self-sustaining, while the terri
tory would be acquiring without no
ticeabIe expense roads of the very
best class. OF course a number of
are likely to be made
before the matter is placed before the
legislature, if it is presented to that
body at all. Some advocate working
only term cOnViCtS. The
theory of this class is that some
could be made with
some other state for caring for the
few who would necessarily have to be
kept within closed walls. They think
that in case of such a heavy reduction
in numbers, even Kansas might re-
lent, and make a new contract for
the remaining ones