Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-01-23

ing different classes o. prisoners, or dfstln-
gushing between hardened criminals and
those not inherently deprayed. Thus the
depreciation and punishment of confinement
in this institution falls upon all ahke-ppon
men who are irreclaipably vicious, and up
on mere boys, whose wrong doing was the
result of unfortunate surroundings or lntOx-
ication; upon men whose crimes were dellb-
crate, premeditated, and mercenary or mer-
ciless, and upon those who sinned under
the stress of strong temptation or sudden
passion.
OF the S62 prisoners confined in our peni-
Tertiary on the 31st of December last, 500
were serving terms of imprisonment for
their first offense, and 651 were under thirty
years of age. Of these, 191 were from SIX
teen to twenty years of age; ~ were from
twenty to twenty fve; and l6S from twenty
five to thirty years of age. Very nearly three
fourths of all the convicts in the state peni-
Tertiary, it will thus be seen, are under thlr-
ty years of age, and more than one-han OF
them are under twenty five.
1 do not believe that one-half of these
prisoners naturally belong to the criminal
classes. Yet the circumstances OF their con-
finement-the sense of degradation is nur
trred, and their enforced association with old
and thoroughly depraved criminals-send
this class of convicts out into the world, on
the expiration of their sentences, feeling that
they are outcasts, embittered against society,
and knowing no way in which to earn an
honest living. Thus, hundreds of these
men, who might be reclaimed and reformed
by different surroundings, discipline and
training while in prison, are only nurtured
and instructed in crime while undergoing
punishment for crime omitted.
regard the establishment of the indus
trial reformatory, therefore, as an act of i'm
measurable Importance. 1t marks new
epoch in the administration of justice, and
IL
all right thinking citizens l feel confident
that large number of those who are an
nually sentenced by our courts, can, by
course of judicious instruction and training
while undergoing Imprisonment, be strength
ed, elevated and reformed, instead of being
weakened, degraded and embittered, as is
too often the tendency, if not the inevitable
result, of our present system. The establish.
ment of q prison based upon the idea OF
affording its inmates a fair chance to be-
come useful and respected citizens, is not an
experiment. In two or three of the older
states such prisons have been established,
and their practical results have been in the
highest degree satisfactory.
would suggest that authority of law be
given to transfer to the new reformatory, as
soon as work upon it is far enough adj
vanced, 200 or 800 of the best disposed among
the younger prisoners now confined in the
penitentiary under sentence for the milder
types of crime The penitentiary is crowded
beyond its capacity, and such transfer is adj
visable for this reason, as well as for others
l have suggested.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME.
Chapter 1S5, session laws, of 1885, can
act to establish a soldiers orphans home,
and for the government and maintenance
thereof" empowered the board of trustees
of state charitable institutions to purchase
I~ll L.
for such home. Section 8 of said act re-
quired that the sum of $1,000, and tract of
land not less than 100 acres, should be do
mated to the trustees of state charitable in
situations, in fee simple. for the uses and
purposes of said home, and should be ac-
cepted by said trustees in the name of the
state of Kansas, land the location of said home
permanently made.
The trustees of the state charitable insti-
tutions. acting under the authority of this act
selected site for the soldiers and orphans
home near the city of Atchison, and that city
donated to the state 160 acres of land and
5000 in cash, for the uses and purposes of
the home. A contract for the erection of the
necessary buildings has been let, and the
work of construction is progressing. The
site selected is healthful, beautiful and &C
cessible. It commands a fine view, over,
looking the Missouri river, the city of Atch-
lSOn, anu q Wlue eCope VI VIC SuiIoohVuS
country. |
The Soldiers Orphans home, when com
pleted, will be noble charity, honoring the
people of this great and patriotic state. The
general government is making generous pro-
visions for the care and maintenance of the
disabled and destitute soldiers and sailors of
the union, but no provision has been made |
for their helpless children. Wounds and
disease, the legacy of their service, are an
corIipry %ha,,covIc Of v,ofrsofin al
diers to premature graves, and the children
of these men, in hundreds of cases. are left
homeless and destitute. In providing
home for these orphan children, Kansas has
engaged in a work that will commend itself.
Her bounty could be extended to no more de-
serving class; her benifcence could find no
nobler scope for the exercise of its generous !
impulses, than will be afforded by the estab-
and maintenance of home for the |
orphan and destitute children of the state.
THE BOARD OF PARDoNs.
The state board of pardons, created under
the provisions of an act passed at your last |
session, has held four meetings, and the re-
suit of its labors demonstrate the wisdom of
your action in establishing such tribunal.
The board has carefully Investigated all ap-
for the pardon of offenders against |
he laws; its reports have been clear. concise
md impartial; and its recommendations dis
and just. The creation of this
board has very largely Invested the consider
alton of pardons of any suspicion of person
IL or political influence. The granting or
,ne person; it is the decision of an impartial
tribunal, based upon careful consideration
If all the facts and reasons for or against
he exercise of executive clemency.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The report of the board of trustees of state
charitable institutions furnishes information
the asylums and schools under
is supervision. The condition of these in
titutions generally is commendable. They Il
re in charge of competent and Jealous Off
ers, and their management is judlcious and
fficient.
INSTITUTIONS FOR FEEBLE-MINDED YOUTH.
Chapter 26, laws of 1885, authorized the
BOARD of trustees of state charitable institu-
ions to select a suitable site, within two
niles of the corporate limits of the city of
Winfield, for the "Kansas Asylumfor Idiotic
nd Imbecile youth" provided that tract
# land of not less than forty nor more than
lightly acres be donated for such site by the
ity of Winfield. The board, in accordance
With the authority thus conferred, selected
he site for the institution; and the title of
he tract, comprising forty acres, has been
ested in the state of Kansas. A contract
or the erection of building for the asylum
as also been let, and the work of construc-
ION is progressing.
THE STATE HOUSE.
The board of state house commissioners
as submitted report of the progress of
'ork on the capitol, including detailed
nancial statement of expenditures con-
ected Herewith, A copy of the report will
9 transmitted TO the legislature. II
THE STATE SCHOOLS.
The raoopfe of tho upivorsifv sfata aor; |