Volume 15 , Issue 11

One Hundred Years Ago - Tuesday, 18 March 1913

ne hundred years ago today, Tuesday, March 18th (1913), The Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, OK) had the following front page headline: "Construction of Capitol Soon." Governor Favored appropriation or large bond issue. So Oklahoma's capitol building was built after this date sometime, huh?

1913, Oklahoma -- Although strict secrecy was kept over the partially completed message of the governor to the extraordinary session of the legislature which would convene immediately following the close of the regular session, it was believed that the question of an appropriation of the building of the capitol at Oklahoma City would be strongly advocated for immediate action.

The McMechan resolution accepting the donation of a site form Oklahoma City and the gift of $100,000 for the erection of the capitol building was approved late Monday afternoon and the next step would be for the legislature to go on record as to what the building should cost and how the funds should be provided.

Governor Cruce would not deny or affirm that the proposition would come up at the extra session, but gave at length his views as to how the present plan should be worked out successfully.

The governor said, "I believe that the legislature should first decide how much they intend to spend for a capitol. Plans should then be made and either through a bond issue for the full amount or a direct appropriation to cover all of the expenses, the work could be begun and in eighteen months Oklahoma would have a capitol."

Governor Cruce was insistent that it would be the best policy to appropriate or bond for the full amount of the expense. He said that when the building is well under way, that there would be a market for the lots in the capitol property, as the people will be assured that there would be a building. It is the plan of some he said to make a partial appropriation at this time, later to sell the lots ad thus construct the building.

Governor Cruce also stated, "I am unalterably opposed to this plan. It might mean that Oklahoma would be besmirched with a scandal similar to what has befallen other states which have followed this course. I hope the legislature will look at the proposition as I do and obviate any difficulty which might arise by this plan."

The governor would not say whether this proposition would be brought before the extra session, he intimated that it was a very important measure and should be acted upon as soon as possible.

In speaking of the special session Governor Cruce said that the propositions which would be presented to the legislators would not occupy them more than thirty days. He said he would not present questions which he felt would be acted upon adversely and that only those propositions which demanded immediate action would be brought to their attention.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---