The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-01-25

carry out their wishes ia regard to pensions, -
expressed in the resolutions on the subject
passed in the State and National Encampments
| Of the Grand Army Of the Republic. To
| make good thes first promise herein. u viii
only be necessary to continue the past generous
policy Of the State In behalf Of orphans Of SOL
diers. As to the second. you can not do more
nor less than to earnestly memorabilia Congress.
soon to pass into the control Of majority in
full sympathy with Union soldiers, and willing TO
! do them long-delayed Justice.
Seventh-It was promised that the Board Of
Railway Commissioners should protect the
farmers against excessive charges In the re-
movai Of crops. This has been done. and an
important reduction In rates secured on 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.
EIRhth-Protection Of the home against the
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 1t is not properly observed. it is hoped
you will not fail TODD 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. A demand for
similar recognition here Will doubtless be
pressed upon your attention, enfor ed by per-
suasve 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. 1 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 has 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
frst 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-
tion 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.
Four years ago the Legislature inaugurated
the policy of establishing a shortterm prison
for persons convicted Of minor offenses and the
less heinous crimes. 1t was located at Hutch
,nson. and already Sl6o,00 have been expended
in buildings, none of which are as yet ready for
occupancy. The Legislature OF 1887 appropri-
ated s1O0,0lO 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
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 disregardcI
with impunity
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Our Constitution provides that instit tons
for the care and benefit of the insane. deaf oad
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, 1SS1-1SSS which is
In your hands and should be carefully examined
and studied by every member of the Legisla-
ture; and this remark is extended to tho re-
ports OF all State and department officers, and
of boards in charge Of the various Institutions
of the State.
During the biennial period covered by this re-
port it will be seen that the average number
provided for in these institutions was [605,
with total expenditure, exclusive Of conssruc-
ton. of S63,, 1914, being an annual average per
capita expenditure Of sl9S,4S. The number re.
naming in the institutions and borne upon the
rolls June 81, 1888, was 1910.
INSANE ASYLUM.
The report shows that the maximum capacity
OF the insane asylums has been reached, anc
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 ur-
gently 10 our sympathy that neglect or failure
10 provide for their actual needs and comfort
seems criminal The average number cared
for during the past two years in both Nsylums
was l,05sX, at the annual cost per capita Of
s2a 7S. This is supposed to be good showing
as to expenses: but as one OF these asyluns
with $50 inmates, has 100 officers and employees.
requiring on the Superintendent estimate
S3Sss annually for salaries and wages, the
question may wen be considered.
AS the policy OF the State to distribute the
location of its institutions has been clearly de-
fined by numerous presidents, and as the ex-
tension OF the existing insane asylums seems t.
be improbable. recommend when the neces-
sity is determined, the establishment OF an
other IL the central or 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 mos interesting
OF the State institutions, and its work and con-
dition are reported to be most satisfs Glory
Special attention is called 10 the report in your
hands by which il will be seen that more room
and additional appliances are asked for and
recommended BY the Board likewise q hall
building for the purpose Of instituting system
of industrial training as q part of the work OF
the school
SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB.
This is free school for deaf and dumb chill
dren. and TO call 1t an asylum is an unfortunate
misnoner. which is also true Of the school for
the blind. The habit Of speaking OF them as
asylnms has led to popular misconception Of