Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-01-24

e Be not, the Legislature should mako haste q
i confer Il fully, and do whatever else ft msy Il
/ tho limo OF legislation against trusts and com
binAtions Of that character.
These so-cAlled trusts arc "a excrescen
growth Of the age-An ilibegotten child OF avar
leo and mendacity. exhibiting In it, most OBJ
| noxious form that lust for gain. regardless O
the rights and Interests OF the people. too Otter
seen in lesser degree wherever capital IL or
ganixed ana welded in masses. The enactment
Of such laws by you - shall evon measurably
control or repress these evils win be an occa
sion for the most sincere concentration
! y. 6oLDIBRS AND SAILORS.
Sixth-To ex-U Union soldiers and sailors Of
Kansas tho assurance was gwen that the party
| In power In the State should continue to pro-
vide literally for the maintenance Of the Sol
diers Orphans' Home, and use its influence to
carry out their wishes fu regard to pensions, IS
expressed in tho resolutions on the subject
passed In the State and National Encampments
Of the Grand Army Of tho Republic. To
make good the first promise herein, It Will
policy Of tho State In behalf OF orphans OF SOL
diers. As to the second. you can not do more
nor less than to earnestly memorialize Congress.
soon to pass into the control of a majority in
full sympathy with Union soldiers and willing to
do them long-delayed justice.
Seventh-1t was promised that the Board OF
Railway Commissioners should protect the
farmers against excessive charges in the re-
moval OF crops. This has been done, and an
important reduction in rates secured corn
for the supply OF those portions Of the frontier
where this cereal was partial failure the past
season. Further reference to the gratifying re-
duction in rates during recent years, fairly at
tributable to the efficient labors of the Board,
will be found under the head of Railroad Legis-
lation.
Eighth-Protection OF the home against the
saloon was likewise promised. coupled with q
demand for the complete execution of the Pro-
hibitory law in every part OF the State. To
this policy the State Is fully committed and
puplic sentiment demands that there shall be
relaxation in the effort to enforce legislation
already existing on that subject. II you can
quicken the diligence and strengthen the hands
OF those charged with the execution Of the law
where 1t IS not properly observed. it is hoped
you will not fail to do So The subject is alluded
to elsewhere.
naturalization was approvingly made to leg
islation which has had tendency to open the
doors to wider fields of usefulness for women,
with the declaration that the honest demands
of any class of citizens for additional rights
should receive respectful attention. Perhaps
no State has gone further than Kansas in ex-
tending enlarged legal and political rights to
women. In some States. however. they have
been by law admitted to membership on State
boards in control of certain benevolent institu-
tions. with satisfactory results demand for
similar recognition here will doubtless be
pressed upon your attention, enfor ed by per-
suasive arguments from which you can not es-
cape, though you may not be convinced The
subject is entitled to your serious considera-
ton.
EDUCATIONAL.
commend to your careful consideration the
excellent report of the State Superintendent of
Public Instruction. especially calling your at
tention to the recommendations of that of1cer
In regard to various amendments suggested for
the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of our
common schools. also note with pleasure the
condition Of the three institutions
of the State devoted to the higher education of
our young men and wOmen-the University
the Normal School and the State Agricultural
College. Kansas is celebrated for the deep IN
terest she has ever taken in her Institutions of
and these are sources of unfailing sat
and pride. They should be literally
stained, bearing in mind their constantly in
creasing Importance and tho demand for en-
larged faculties and the opportunity thus az
forded for greater usefulness.
PENITENTIARY. -ss
The penitentiary has ever ranked among the
first of the penal institutions of the country.
While similar prisons in other States have not
been free from embarrassment in regard to dis
cipline and the control and profitable applica-
ton OF convict labor, ours has never suffered in
this regard. We have never been confronted
with any serious obstacle in the management
Of the convicts and riots and mutinies are I'M
known The elaborate report OF the warden is
In your hands. .Iss ass
Four years ago the Legislature inaugurated
the policy Of establishing short-term prison
for persons convicted Of minor offenses and the
crimes. It was located at Hutch
inson. and already S16O 000 have been expended
in buildings, none of which are as yet ready for
occupancy. The Legislature OF 1887 appropri-
ated 800, 900 for this institution, and provided
for the employment of convict labor in the con-
struction Of the building and general prosecu-
ton OF the work. This has not been done, but
on the contrary, the work was let by contract
how and by what authority it is well for you to
inqufre 1t Is well to remind officials charged
with tho expenditure of public funds, that they
are amenable to the law for the most
rigid and faithful compliance with its
terms, which can not be disregarded
with impunity.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Our Constitution provides that institr tions
for the care and benefit OF the insane deaf and
dumb, and such other institutions as the public
good may require. shall be fostered and sup
ported by the STATE, and it is gratifying to say
that no State has been more prompt and gen.
erous than Kansas in observing the duty thus
enJoined- How we are discharging this duty
may be seen in the very elaborate and interest
Ing report OF the State charitable institutions
for the sixth biennial period. 1887 1883, which is
in your hands and should be carefully examined
and studied by every member of the Legsla-
turo; and this remark is extended to the re-
pOrCS OF all SIate ana department OhcerS, and
of boards in charge Of the various institutions
OF the State.
During the biennial period covered by this re-
port, 1t will be seen that the average number
provided for in those institutions was 1905
with total expenditure, exclusive Of construc-
ton, of S63, 129 IA, being an annual average per
capita expenditure of $10S, IS. The number re-
naming In the institutions and borne upon the
rolls June 30, 1883, was 1910.
us INSANE ASYLUM Il
The report shows that the maximum capacity
of the insane asylums has been reached and
sets forth the necessity for largely increased
accommodations by additions to present build
ings. purchase of sites and new buildings, all of
which contemplates great expense, presenting
questions of wide import. OF all our defective
and dependent classes. the insane appeal SO mr.
gently to our sympathy that neglect or failure
to provide for their actual needs and comfort
seems criminal. The average number cared