Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-21

NJ. n
be the duty of the legislature to reimburse the
university fund to that amount h
Text Books.
The parents and guardians of the children In
cur public schools have long complained of tfs
exorbitant cost Of text books, and this subject
earnestly recommend that some methed be DE-
vised Tor supplying the necessary books free of
cost to the sctoo. children of the state.
To this end, it might be well that the county
superintendent Of public instruction and the
directors, or other school officers of the school
districts, should. IN each county, be empowered
schools OF their respective counties, at q price
books.
By reason of some such legislation, it Is be-
heved that the crying complaint of very ex-
pensive school books would be largely mitig gated,
and, In time, measurabty abolished.
Some OF the states of this union have adopted
legislation substantially of this class, and, where
successfully tried, it has met the approval of the
people affected by it; and there is growing sent-
raent In favor of such a system.
The State Library.
1t appears from the eighth biennial report of
the state librarian that the accessiops to The
volumes. The appropriations for the purpose
of books have fuctuated between 81 600 and & 900
per annum, except that from 1888 to 1890 no ap-
Mrs. Jane G. Stc-mont has made the generous
donation of the ''Stormont Medical Collection"
which now embraces ], 1873 volumes, representing
more than "a Zoo in value. She intends to
make further personal purchases for the collec-
ton, and she has also paid iuto the treasury of
the state S., 600 as a permanent donation for the
use of the state.
The librarian expresses the hope that the ap-
preparation for the purchase of books may
again be placed at 81, coo Per annum.
The suggestion is made that all money receiveG
from the sale of the supreme court reports, as
now provided by law, and all money hereafter
paid in on such account, shall constitute
library fund in the hands of the state Librarian
to be applied to the purchase of reports and
books for the state to be selected by the justices
of the supreme court and the librarian, and that
it shall be the duty of the Librarian to pay ever
to the state treasurer any balance of such money
remaining in his hands and not applied as above
provided for.
Chapter 112 of the laws of 1870, chapter 143 of
the laws of 1871, and chapter 136 of the laws OF
the state library, and as these several acts In
some measure duplicate each other and in other
respects are inharmonious with each other, it
might be well to revise the legislation bearing
upon this subject, and thereby place the state
library upon footing that will make it truly
subserve the best interests of the state.
State Historical Society.
The State Historical Society has demonstrated
its great usefulnesS The records Of the past his
tory of Kansas collected by this society during
the seventeen years of its existence are now
found essential to the full examination of any
subject pertaining to the affairs of the state OR
any of its localities. The state can make no bet
ter provision for the education of its people than
that of collecting and preserving the materials
of it's own history. In the com pletion of the cap
itol building, ample provision should be made
for the housing of the library and collections of
the society, now crowded into very inadequate
quarters.
Charitable Institutions.
The report of the trustees of state charitable
institutions will be laid before YOU, and in it you
will find complete and detailed information of
the needs of these various institutions, together
with information of general character for the
benefit of the public. The successful care and
of these institutions should be mat
ters of great concern to every intelligent citizen
of the state. Their existence marks an era of
progress in the development of Christian civili-
zation, and desire to apprOxim ate perfection in
their administration should be the commendable
zeal of true craftsmanship.
The institutions embraced in the report are as
follows State insane asylum, Topeka; state in
sane asylum, Osawatomie; state reform school,
Topeka; institution for the education of the deaf
and dumb, O athe; institution for the education
Of the blind, Kansas City for idiotic
and imbecile youth, Winfield; soldiers orphans
home, Atchison; and industrial school for girls,
Beloit.
1t will be observed that number of these in
situations are already crowded with inmates, and
more room ls in some cases Imperative. 1t is
difficult to choose our course when necessity die
.ateS, but If 1t shall be found impossible to make
such improvements and engagements as sug-
gested by the board, appropriations should be
made for the more pressing needs of all, and
especial consideration given to the care of the
helplessly insane.
The State Reformatory.
The legislature of 1886 made an enactment
providing for state reformatory for male
criminals between the ages of 16 and IS.
Propositions came from several cities of the
state Tor the location of this institution, and
the commission appointed to locate the same
ure there exists in an unfinished condition, al
though e260,C00 has been expended in its
erection.
There can be no question as to the wisdom of
such Institutions when the f1nan-
cial resources of state sufficient to justify
the cost of erection and maintenance. If in
your judgment the time is ripe for such an in
'titution In Kansas, an appropriation should
be made sufficient for the completion and occu-
pancy Of the present buildings.
The Penitentiary.
The eighth biennial report of the directors and
warden of the state penitentiary cove1s mass of
details that are included in pamphlet of about
sixty pages. 1t is seen from the warden's report
hat there are unexpected balances of the appro-
priation made for the fiscal years of 1891 and 1892
remaining in the treasury Of the state of S75- |
5000. Permanent improvements costing $50
1902 have been made in the shape of brick |
buildings, one-story brick dwelling house, the |
completion of the east wall of the prison yard,
foundation for the cells of the new cell house, !
md the construction of circular brick air-ducts
therein, and in the corridors the cutting and lay
ng of tagging and additions to the electric light
plant.
TIE directors of the penitentiary have insti- |
uted suit against W. E. Thomas on coal con-
ract to recover balance due of $94731 and this |
'uit is pending in the district court of Leaven-
worth county. |
A contract was made with the Kansas Manu- |
featuring Company, of which Alexander Caldwell |
vas president, for convict labor, and this con-
ract, which was of nineteen years duration, |
terminated on February 1, 1892. Mr.. Caldwell, |
lnder an article of the contract made with him.
makes certain demands upon the state. This |
natter is now in controversy, and may require |
Iome legislative examination.
Contracts have been made for five years from |
February 1, 1892, for surplus prison labor in &c
,ordance with the following statement: L. Kiper |
Sons, fifty men at 81 cents per day; Helmer's |
Company, sixty-fve men at SO |
,ents per day; b. 8. Burr & Co., fifty men at IS |
,ents per day.
The board of directors have adopted the rule of |
buying all supplies for the penitentiary by adver-
Using for competitive bids, which is claimed to |
70 quite saving to the state. Itisrecommended |
hat attention be given to the matter of determin-
ng whether plant may be established in con-
,ection with the penitentisry for the manufacture
# binding Irvine.
Prohibition.
Prohibition is part of the law of Kansas;
lot only statutory law, but part of the con-
Ititution of the state 1t IL not q question
whether this administration Is for or against |
prohibition. but whether IL Is in favor Of re-
peot for. and obedience to, all the laws on the |
statute books. A very large class of our peo-
Die earnestly believe in the efficiency of the |
aw, while respectable element are not per
onally In favor Of prohibition. Many of those