The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-15
HUMPHREYS MESSAGE.
Continued from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
home shall be supported 'for the care and
maintenance of officers, soldiers and ma
rines who have served in the army, navy
or marine corps of the United States, their
dependent parents, widows or orphans"
These terms make no reference to when
the service was rendered, whether it was
during the war of the rebellion, before or
since They would seem TO impose an OBJ
legation upon the state other than that
contemplated by the act of the legislature,
and wholly out of keeping with the value
of the land granted, the price of which
was $l-25 an acre. A modification of the
terms of the grant in this particular could
probably be secured without much
trouble
The inmates of the home on the 1st of
November last numbered 123, including
old soldiers, widows, wives and children.
A school is maintained for the children,
and in all respects the inmates are well
cared for. A good portion of the land be-
longing to the home is ready for cultiya-
tion, which will be a source Of some profit:
and furnish light employment for most OF
the old soldiers.
THE ELLSWORTH REUNION GROUNDS.
The legislature of 1889 appropriated
900 to be used by the trustees of the
Grand Army of the Republic in the i'm
orovement of the reunion grounds near the
5ity of Ellsworth, and the money has been
accordingly expended The plan adopted
by the trustees, in conjunction with the
state board of charities WAS to erect build
ings for the use of annual reunions and
such other public gatherings as it might
be desirable to hold in the interest of the
soldiers and sailors of the war for the
Union. Accordingly an auditorium has
been erected, with a seating capacity OF
1000: dining hall with culinary depart
4 lo+To or.
800, has been constructed: also headquar-
ters building, with separate apartments
for the Grand Army, WOman's Relief
Corps, Sons Of Veterans, and Loyal Legion.
In addition to these, fifteen brick cottages,
# three rooms and cellar each, have been
completed, and some of them occupied by
INDECENT soldiers and their families
Enough of the money appropriated re-
mains unexpended to pay for the construc-
tion of a system Of water works, which 1t
WAS expected would be secured Tor use dur
'ng the present winter
THE PENITENTIARY.
The total number of prisoners from the
rariOus counties of the state In custody
June 30. 1883, WAS Ss7. The number re-
ceved during the ensuing two years was
675; number discharged during the two
years was ZOE. The number in custody
June 30 1890, was $50 On the 1st of Jan
confined In he peuitentiary; on the 1st of
January, 1855, there were S9S: on the goth
of June of that year, there were SSI; on
Jan. J. 1889 there were SCI; and June 80,
1880 the number. as before stated, was
$50. These figures indicate slight falling
off tendency to our state prison popula-
tion since 1881 The board o directors re-
port the health of the inmates, and every
hing pertaining TO the institution, as in
excellent condition.
INDUSTRIAL REFORNIAToRY.
The state industrial reformatory, created
3y the Legislature of 1885, and located At
Hutchinson, is still incomplete. Its pres
ent condition, and the progress made dur
ing the past two years, are faithfully de-
scribrd in the report of the board of com
missiOners herewith transmitted.
The board has endeavOred to follow the
evident intent Of the last legislature in the
use Of the 500, appropriated TO complete
that part of the building already under
way, and prepare il for occupancy AS early
rs practicable. Proceeding upon this idea,
the board has made commendable prog
ress, and judiciously expended the means
at its disposal.
It is estimated that $40 900 more will be
reqired to complete for occupany all the
buildings now begun, with two hundred
cells. The probable cost and propriety of
preparing one hundred and forty cells for
Use at an earlier period is also considered
IN the report.
GAILRoADS AND RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
The subject Of state regulation of rail
roads is one of surprising Importance and
heyer-ending public solicitude. In respect
10 methods of control, the commissioner
system has been demonstrated to be the
most satisfactory, and has received The
sanction of nearly all the states of the
Union. This system, administered 10y
boards of commissioners, has come TO he
regarded as a necessary part OF the govern
ment Such board has existed IN this
state since 1883. Ny predecessors have
spoken of the work Of this board in terms
Of unqualified cOmmendatlon, and 1t Is be-
lieved that a careful review of their labors
cannot be otherwise than satisfactory.
During the eight years of the existence
Of this board there have been built in this
state 90 miles of railroad. and the duties
Of the commission have been correspond
lngly increase In the exercise of It's
power the board has repeatedly required
reductions to be made in the rates of trans
)ortation charges, and an examination OF
The figures for the period covered by its
existence cannot be otherwise than inter
esting and profitable. A comparison of
the tonnage of 1853 with that of 1889, en-
phasiZes the above statement. In the
former year the tonnage of all the roads OPP
Grating in Kansas according to the report
N file in the railroad commissioner Of
ice, was II SSl ,S2214. For the year 1889,
the tonnage of the roads in this state was
"A 454 367, or nearly double the tonnage of
the former year
The earnings from the tonnage of 1888
according TO the same authority, were
45, 1876, ,33l: for 1889. they were $50, sT0,O95.
n only about twenty-five per cent greater
han the receipts of the former year.
While it is doubtless true that the tend
sncy of transportation charges has been
steadily downward, and that reductions
IN rates are "A result OF competition and
constantly-increasing strife for business,
ls well as response to the popular de-
mand for cheaper service, yet it is also
rue that the existence of the commission
has contributed in large degree to this
result.
The board has, by repeated orders.
caus the abatement OF determinations
which had long been maintained upon the
freight tariffs, and which, so long As they
existed. prevented the establishment, upon
a secure basis, of commercial and manu-
featuring enterprises in any interior towns
in the state. These discriminating tariffs
were a menace TO capital; their abatement
is an invitation TO its investment among
rs, and the creation of more diversified In
duStries
With a view TO promoting the efficiency
Of the board. ! invite your attention TO the
eKpediency Of conferriug upon it, by APP
propriate legislation, the power TO require
joint freight tariffs TO be made over two or
more railroads which connect with each
other, so that continuous shipments may
he made over such connecting roads from
one point in Kansas TO another in the same
state. such joint tariffs to prescribe rates
not TO exceed, beyond reasonable transfer
charges. "A single aud continuous rate for
the same distance. BY this means the
business Of this state. whether il be whole
sailing or manufacturing, existing in any
interior town in the sta,e, may be placed
upon rs favorable footing so far as trans
,-rLaLLn. n.a r-as ed .. Ill.