The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-17

crimes. 1t was located at Hutchinson,
and already $3.50, 900 have been ex-
pended in buildings, none OF which
are as yet ready for occupancy. The
legislature Of 1887 appropriated $780,
coo for this institution, and provided
for the employment of convict labor in
the construction of the buildings and
general prosecution 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
inquire. 1t is well to remind officials
charged with the 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. In
considering the appropriations for con-
tinuing the work, submit whether it
would not be well to provide for an
early completion and equipment of the
more advanced portion of the building,
restricting the expenditures to this eX-
clusively, in order that the practicable
ity of prison of this kind may be
demonstrated and the penitentiary re-
lieved of the class of offenders contem-
plated to be confined here, before ar
rangements are made for the more ex-
tensive prosecution of the work.
CHARITABbE.
Our constitution provides that Insti-
buttons for the care and benefit of the
insane. blind, 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 generous than Kansas in
How we are diScharging this duty may
be seen in the very elaborate and in
teresting report of the state charitable
institutions for the sixth biennial per-
iod, 1SS7-1SSS. which is in your hands
and shout be carefully examined and
studied by every member of the legis-
lature; and this remark is extended to
the reports of all state and department
officers, and of boards in charge of the
various institutions of the state.
Here is board having charge of the
two insane asylums, lone at Topeka,
one at Ossawatomie,) the reform
school, the two schools, one for the
education of the blind, at Wyandotte,
and the other for the deaf and dumb,
at Olathe, the asylum for imbecile
youth. at Winfield, and the soldiers
orphans home, at Atchison, eXpend-
ing year by year nearly half of all the
money collected in taxes and appropri-
ated for the support of the state gov
erlment, caring for 1000 inmates,
calling for 1871 900 to cover their sup
port for the ensuing two years. none
of which sum is for additional build
ingS or improvements; and il is due
not only to those in charge OF these in
situations, but the beneficiarieS as well,
and manifest duty to the tax-pay-
ers, whom you represent, that these
reports shall be carefully consid-
] cred.
During the biennial period covered
by this report, it will be seen that the
average number provided for in these
| institutions was / sos, with a total eX-
penditure, exclusive of construction, of
$637 1874, being an annual average
| per capita expenditure of $l9S.4S. The
number remaining in the institutions
| and borne upon the rolls June 80, 1888,
was 1910.
INSANE ASYLUM.
| The report shows that the maximum
capacity of the insane asylums has
been reached, and sets forth the neces-
| sity for largely increased accOmmoda-
tions by additions to present buildings,
| purchase of sites and new buildings,
| all of which contemDlateS great eX-
pense, presenting questions of wide
/ import. OF all our defective and de-
| pendent classes, the insane appeal so
urgently to our sympathy that neglect
or failure TO provide for their actual
needs and comforts seems criminal.
The average number cared for during
the past two years in both asylums was
l,O58t, at the annual cost per capita of
$2O2.78. This Is supposed to be good
showing as to expenses; but as one of
| these aSsylumS, with $50 inmates, has
100 officers and employees, requiring on
the superintendent estimate $40, 1855
annually for salaries and wages, the
question may well be considered.
AS the policy of the state to distrib-
ute the location of it's institutions has
been clearly defined by numerous pre-
cedents and as the extension of the
existing insane asylums seems to be
| impracticable, l recommend when the
necessity is determined. the establish
ment of another i'll the central and
western portion of the state. where the
conditions of abundant water supply
and drainage are beyond question.
| STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
This is one of the newer but most in
teresting of the state institutions, and
its work and condition are. reported tC
be most satisfactory. Special atten'
ton is called to the report in your
hands, by which it will tie seen that
more room and additional appliances
are asked for and recommended by tht
board; likewise hall building for the
purpose of instituting system of in
dustrial training as a part of the WORK
of the school.
SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB.
This is a free school for deaf anC
dumb children, and to call it an asylum
is an unfortunate miSnomer, which il
also true for the blind. The habit o.
speaking of them as asylums has led tt
popular misconception of their char
acter and the scope and nature of theil
work. They are not, strictly speaking
eleemosynary, but a part of our fret
educational system, devoted exclusive
: ly to the instruction and Industrial
, training of the defective classes, re
Quiring the highest order of ability
with rare judgment and skill, both o
which. / am persuaded from careful
personal observation ARE happily uniGet
ana cOnspicuously displayed in tn
present management.
Notwithstanding the appropriation
of $4,000 for enlarglng the deaf ant
dumb school building by the last leg
islature, the board suggests the neces
sity for more room.
SCHOOL FOR BLIND.
This school is in good condition. Tn
/ last legislature provided for the build
i ing of the north wing, and it is crafty
4 ing to say that more in that direction
= Is nOG T0Qu0SI0u III Tie report. Inc III
+ dustrial departments of this, and tn
3 school for the deaf and dumb, is fes
] ture of peculiar interest and great in
4 portance quite generally Overlooke
? and too little appreciated. 1t shout
: be literally encouraged as a valuabl
part of the work being done by thes
most worthy institutions.
MBECILE YOUTH.
: The asylum for this peculiarly VI
Q fortunate class seems to be well col
/, Quoted and in healthy condition. TIL
e location of the building, on a barreI
: rocky point, where neither tree NJ
d shrub could be persuaded to grow b
i the most diligent effort, is xplicablt
O except it was to afford more paIpab
= proof that imbecility is not confined |
. youth. Additional room. more LAM
n less rock and some water are needed.
q SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME.
q This is the youngest of our benev,