Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-24

make COCO the nrSt promise hereln u WI
only be necessary to continue the past generou
policy Of the State in behalf Of orphans OF so
diers. As to the second. you can not do NOR
nor less than TO earnestly memorialtze Congress
soon to pass into the control OF majority l
full sympathy with Union soldiers, and willing {
do them long-delayed justice.
| Seventh-It was promised that the Board G
Railway Commissioners should protect tn
farmers against excessive charges in the re
moval Of crops. This has been done. and al
important reduction in rates secured on corr
for the supply Of those portions of the frontie
where this cereal was partial failure the pas
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 tht
saloon was likewise promised, coupled with {
| 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
no 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 it is not properly observed it is hoped
you will not fail to do so The subject is alluded
! to elsewhere.
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-
SnfiSfantOrrv rnE Il 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 officer
in regard to various amendments suggested for
the purpose of enhancing the efficiency OF our
common schools. also note with pleasure the
prosperous 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 hes ever taken in her institutions of
learning, and these are sources of unfailing sat
isfaction and pride. They should be literally
sustained, bearing In mind their constantly in
creasing importance and the demand for en-
larged faculties and the opportunity thus af-
forded for greater usefulness.
PENITENTIARY.
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-
tlon 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 un- |
known. The elaborate report Of the warden is |
in your hands. |
-Four years ago the Legislature inaugurated |
the policy of establishing short-term prison 1
for persons convicted of minor offenses and the |
less heinous crimes. It was located at Hutch
nson. and already $4,000 have heen expended !
IN buildings, none Of which are as yet ready for !
occupancy. The Legislature of 1887 appropri- !
lted 100000 for this institution, and provided |
.or the employment of convict labor in the con-
'truction of the building and general prosecu-
ion OF the work. This has not been DONE but
IN the contrary, the work was let by contract
low ana 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
ire amenable to the law for the most
igid and faithful compliance with its
erms, which can not be disregarded |
With impunity.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Our Constitution provides that instit Ttlo1s
or the care and benefit OF the insane, deaf and
umb, and such other institutions as the public
ood may require, sbhIl be fostered and sup
'orted by the Stat, and it is gratifying to say
hat no State has been more prompt and gen.
rous than Kansas in observing the duty thus |
njoined. How we are discharging this duty
lay be seen in the very elaborate and interest
lg report of the State charitable institutions
DR. the sixth biennial period, 1SS7-1SSS, which is
4 your hands and should be carefully examia he'd
nd studied by every member of the Leg sla- |
lre; and this remark is extended to tho re-
orts OF all State and department officers, and {
boards in charge of the various institutions
the State.
During the biennial period covered by this re-
ort it will be seen that the average nuraber
rovided for in these institutions was 56O5, |
18th total expenditure, exclusive of construc-
on, of SG3 ,1%914, being an annual average per
lpita expenditure of s19S,4S The number re-
laining in the institutions and borne upon the
,!ls June 3d. 1885, was 1910. .
INSANE ASYLUM
The report shows that the maximum capacity !. .
the insane asylums has been reached, anG 6
Its forth the necessity for largely increased ;
by additions to present build :
gs. purchase of sites and new buildings all of !
hich contemplates great expense, presenting :
uestions of wide import. OF all our defective y
nd dependent classes, the insane appeal so ur-
,ntly to our sympathy that neglect Or failure i
provide for their actual needs and comfort
.ems criminal The average number cared
r during the past two years in both asylums 4
as 1851, at the annual cost per capita of | !,
w as. This is supposed to be a good, showing :
TO expenses; but as one Of these asylums, a
ith 5S3 inmates, has l30 officers and employees,
quirinG on the Superintendent estimate y
3S5S annually for salaries and wages, the n
lestion may well be considered. y
As the policy of the State to distribute the =
cation of its institutions has been clearly de- =
he'd by numerous precedents, and as the ea- q
nSlon OF the existing insane asylums seems To | a
! improbable. l recommend when the neces- =
ty is determined, the establishment OF an =
her in the central or western portion of the =
tate, where the conditions of abundant water h
pply and drainage are beyond question. .
STATE REFORM SCHOOL I,
This is one OF the newer but most interesting g
the State institutions, and its work and con- N
tion are reported to be most satisf lctory. q
pecial attention is called TO the report in your Il
Inds, by which it will be seen that more room Z,
ID aoditional appliances are asked for and O
commended By the Board: likewise hall s,
ilding for the purpose OF instituting a system 3:
Industrial training as part OF the work Of a
e school. -
SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB. ii
This Is a free school for deaf and dumb chill a.
en-, and to call it an asylum is an unfortunate T,
lsnomer, which is also true OF the school for n
e blind. The habit OF speaking of them as is
ylums has led to popular misconception of n
cir character and the scope and nature of m
cir work. They are not, strictly speaking, IA
eemosynary but part OF our free educational
stem, devoted exclusively to the in
ruction and industrial training of the defective s.
asses, requiring the highest order of ability is
th rare judgment and skill both of which, I FL
l persuaded from careful personal observa- in
n han,liiN llnitad