The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-01-14

direct inducement TO thousands VINO
have come to the state to make homes.
Kansas is pre- eminentiy an agricultural
state, and whatever is done TO foster and
encourge that industry tends to the ad
vancement and prosperity of the people.
This department should be literally sus-
tanned by the state, and every necessary
provision made to increase Its efficiency
and usefulness.
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The very gratifying condition Of the
horticultural interests of the state Is
largely due to the intelligent labors of
this society This industry is only Sec
onS in importance to shat ofagriculture,
and should receive from the legislature
such encouragement and support as its
importance demands. The facts and sta
tistics collected by this society upon all
matters affecting the interests of fruit
growers, cannot fail to advance our re-
putation toward the front rank Of the
fruit-producing states. would recon-
mend an appropriation for this society,
sufficient to assure IFS continued useful
ness.
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The collections of the state historical
society are the property Of the state, and
are well worthy of its care. Kansas has
made history Of which itscitizens may
well be proud; and the society is faith
fully gathering up the books, files, man.
uscripts, portraits and relics which ex-
hibit and illustrate that history so neces-
sary for the information and instruction
of not only the present but future gener-
atoms. The library which the society
is making up is attracting much atten-
ton, and is receiving valuable donations,
and respectfully recommend that the
miscellaneous portion of the state library
be placed with the historical collection.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Under our public school system,
which continues and deserves 10 be the
pride of the state, there are 6.134 or
ganized districts, with 5,242 school
ls,ouses, of which S02 were erected dur
ing two years, at cost. including furni-
ture, of $617.352.19. The total value of
school property, exclusive of school
lands, is "a 1888, OLA The whole num-
Der of persons between the ages of five
and twenty-one years is 340,647; show
ing an increase during the years 1S79-S0
of %, 1882. The number of teachers en-
ployed was 1850; of whom 3,506 were
males, and 4,274 were femal :. The
school revenue for Incidental period
closing June 80, 1880, including balance
on hand June 80, 1878, of $261, 467.7 2,
G-d S24S.S37. 04 at close OF June 80, 1879
amounted TO $4,039, 069.75; while the eS-
penses dp;ing the same period aggregaf-
Ell So, 40S, 1920. The permanent school
icnd invested in interestbearing secuIi-
ties at the close of the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1880, amounted 20 s. ,6S3, 229-,
SO, to which may be added sos, S28.35
cash in the treasury, making grand to-
tai at said date of $1,7S2, 057.94; being
the largest school fund possessed by any
state in the Union in proportion 10 ege
and population; and it mus: be remem-
bered that to this sum will be added
from time TO time the receipts from the
sales of the very large body of school
lands yet undisposed of.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
The state university, under its wise
and efficient management, is an honor
to the state, and is justly regarded as
among the leading educational instu-
tions of the country. 1t has fairly kept
pace with the very rapid settlement and
development of the state. l respectful :
ly call your attention to the secon
biennial report of the university
for a detailed statement of the condition
of this institution, and the various
departments thereof, showing substan-
tial growth in the fourteen years since
the first organization of the faculty,
| which is believed to be unprecedented
in the history of any like Institution.
Fourteen years ago, four instructors
were employed, and fifty live students
were taught. During the past year
| 1S79-S0), fourteen instructors have
taught 43S students; $500 volumes have
been accumulated in its library, and q
museum of over 10000 specimens. illus
strating botany, zoology, mineralogy and
geology, has been collected.
NORMAL SCHOOL.
The Normal school building destroy.
ed by fire a little over two years ago, has
been replaced by another building
equally as commodIous and more impos
| ing than the first, at cost of $45, 579 81,
| $50, 800 of which sum was paid by Lyon
county and TIE city of Emporia, the bal.
| ance by the state. Two hundred and
forty-seven students were IN attendance
November 3, 1880, and the school is in a
very flourishing condition. Your atten
ton is respectfully called to the report
of the regents and president of the insti-
tuition, which is herewith transmitted.
PUBLIC LANDS.
In renewing the recommendations con
tanned in my last biennial message in re
i lation to the management of all the
school lands of the state, including the
| lanQS OF the Agricultural OOlleSoy Nor
NAL School and State University, de
sire to state in addition to what then
said, that having taken considerable
pains to investigate this whole question
/ have not . the slightest doubt bu
that the best interests of the stat
require the establishment of state lane
department, under the control of a com
missioner, through which department
all business relating TO such lands, anC
in which the state is in any manner in
terested, should be transacted. By thu
concentrf ting the management of al
lands subject to the control of the state
thousands of dollars could be saved AT
nually in the matter of expenses alone
In reference to geological survey o
the state the Governor favors a thorough
exploration of our mineral resource
which, the message declares, he believes
to be important to manufacture ng ant
other business interests. The portion o
the message touching unorganized coun
ties recommends attaching them for ju
dicial purposes with a view of punish
ing criminals who otherwise escape IN
punished.