The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-10

the Ist of July. 1887. 1t was soon
crowded beyond its capacity. and is
now the home of 100 orphan children of
deceased soldiers of the union. The
law authorizes the admission of chill
dren under sixteen years of age. but
the board has been compelled to ex-
clude all over ten years. Additional
buildings are absolutely necessary, not
only to accommodate the demands made
upon it, but to provide for the health
and wen-being of the children admit
ted The report of the state board de-
tails its needs and suggests, also, GER
tain necessary amendments in the law
providing for its government. These
recommendations should receive your
considerable attention and action.
The Asylum for Idiolic and Imbecile
Youth was removed to Winfield in
March, 1887. There are now over one
hundred children cared for in
this institution. The new building is
we'll adapted for the uses of such an
asylum, and was completed at a cost of
$4,000. The report of the board touch
ing the condition and needs of this in
stitution should receive your considera-
ton.
The Insane AsyJums at Topeka and
OsawatOmie now contain l203 pa
tients. On the 1st of July 1882. the
insane patients in these asylums num-
bered 5iS; on the same date, 1884, the
number had increased to 692; July 1,
1885, to S81, and July 1, 1883, to ,181.
During the past four years the state
has expended for new buildings and for
permanent improvements at its insane
aSYlums. over 1858 900. Yet to-day it
Is confronted with an apparent neces-
sity of providing additional aeeommo-
datlons for this class of helpless de-
pendents. The maximum capacity of
the Topeka asylum is stated at 700, and
that of the 0Sdwatomie asylum at
800. There are now 1908 patients
cared for in the two institutions. This
seems to be a very large number. But
when comparison is made with
other cummOnwealths, the'ratio of in
sane per thousand population is, in
Kansas. smaller than in most states.
In my judgment it would be wise to
increase very largely, the capacity of
the present asylumS. If additional
buildings for the care of the insane are
necessary-and this seems to be GER
tain-a new asylum located in the cen
trail or western portion of the state,
should be built. The opinion is based
on several reasons. First the superin-
tendent of such an institution cannot
give reasonable or adequate personal at
tentiOn to more than eight hundred
patients. Second, the cost of trans
porting the insane from the western
coun ties would be reduced by the
location OF an asylum nearer TO that
section.
l suggest careful examination of
this subject, to the end that the law
making power may understand the
necessities of the situation. and make
provision for them,
THE SUPREME COURT.
For many years past 1t has been i'm
possible for the three judges of the SUI
preme court TO dispose of a large num-
Der of cases brought to that tribunal
for final adjucation. l called the at
tention of the legislature to this fact,
i'll my message of 1885 and 1887, and at
| the last session of that body an act was
passed authorizing the appointment of
| three commissioners, to assist the
court in the performance of its duties.
| These officers were appointed, and /
am advised by the judges of the court
| that they have discharged all the du-
| ties assigned them with energy and
| ability. During the existence of the
| commission, its members have written
| opinions in three hundred and sixty
| two cases.
The court, with the assistance of the
| commissioners, has decided five hun
dred and sixty-four cases during the
past year. Put the litigation coming
| co it constantly increases. During the
year 1880, the Mew cases filed number
| three hundred and seventy-nine; in
| 1886, four hundred and fifty four; in
! 1887, five hundred and eighty-seven;
and during 1888, six hundred and
niuety-eight. 1t is, therefore appar-
ept that the commission must be con-
tinued after the expiration of its three
| =, &c nfff nrnt ~
or SuU.e other method of relief of the
court must be devised.
Three other methods are suggested:
| to increase the number of supreme
court judges. to create other appellate
courts. or to limit the cases that may
be taken to the supreme court upoI
appeal of error. The method first
mentioned can be adopted only by con
stitutional amendments.
The legislature should give this sub
ject its considerable attention. Tit
vital Importance of prompt hearing
and ADJUDICATION of all causes will not b'
questioned. The fact that three judges
of the court of final appeal cannot pos
sibly hear and determine the large
number of cases brought before them
is equally apparent.
THE STATE PENITENTIARY.
The reports of the directors, warden
and other officers of the penitentiar!
will furnish you a detailed statement
condition and requirements of that in
stitutiOn.
The Kansas penitentiary deservedly
enjoys a high rank among the pena
institution of the country. Strict dis
cip!in, is enforcec but harsl
or cruel punishments are
never inflicted. The prisoners are
supplied with abundant and wholesome
food, the tasks allotted them are no
excessive, and their health is CAREFUL,
looked after. The present warden ha
made many improvements in the pris
on, has discharged all of his dutie
with conspicuous ability, integrity ant
economy, and has won a deserved,
J high position among the prison officials
of the United States.
During the past four years ,appropri
atoms aggregating $54 ,48I have beef
made Tor permanent improvements
including a new dollhouse, insan
| ward, workshop, reservoir, barn, an,
other minor buildings, and putting II
plants for electric lights and steau
heating. The value of these improve
ments, as made, including cash outlay
, for materials and prison labor employ
ed,- aggregates S243, 1920.
The operation of the coal mine ha
been very successful. The output O
coal has steadily increased. Durin
the year ended December 81, 1885, tn
total output was / ,255. 242 bushels, va
J ued at $50, 704 ,O4; while for the yea
: ended December 80, 1888, the outpu
: aggregated 1892 PAT bushels, valued a
Sl27 ,241.79. For the calendar yea
1885, the coal furnished the state insti
! buttons, for public use. aggregate
1913, 733 bushels, valued at $27 .56I. 81
+ while for the calendar year 1888 til
, coal furnished state institutions aggrc
{. gated 65S ,5S2 bushels, valued at s4t
: 10O.74.
During the four years ended Deceu
5 Der 81, 1888, the total output of th
t penitentiary coal mine was 6,205. 4G
: bushels, valued at 800. 916.69. OF TIL
!, amount, 2,033, 720 bushels. valued Z
SI42. $3.50 40, were supplied to state il
! situations; 4, 120, $40 bushels, valued Z
!. $3.50 O02 SO, were sold for cash: an