The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-01-18


says: kansas cannot afford to be Outstripped
by her northern neighbors in the equipment OF
her university. State pride may here tnd
legitimate field for exercise. The young men
and women of Kansas are as worthy of the best
educational advantages as are the sons and
daughters of Nebraska and Minnesota"
| | would respectfully call attention TO an issue
OF State University bonds which are held in the
state treasury to the amount of 100000 against
the city Of Lawrence, and whether or not the
city of Lawrence or the State University should
in justice be heldfo them. If not, whether it
be the duty of the legislature to reimburse the
university fund to that amount
Text Books.
The parents and guardians of the children in
our public schools have long complained of the
exOrbitant cost of text books, and this subject
should command your serious attention. would
earnestly recommend that some method be de-
vised for supplying the necessary books free of
cost to the school children of the state.
To this end, it might be we'll that the county
superintendent of public instruction and the
directors, or other school officers of the school
districts, should, in each county, be empowered
to purchase all the necessary text books for the
schools of their respective counties, at price
not much in advance of the actual cost of the
books.
By reason of some such legislation, it is be-
ieVed that the crying complaint of very ex-
pensiVe school books would be largely mitigated,
and, in time, measurably 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 isa growing senti-
ment in favor of such system.
The State Library.
Itappears from the eighth biennial report of
the state librarian that the accessions to the
library for the past twelve years have been II 952
volumes. The appropriations for the purpose
of books have fuctuated between 81 900 and So 900
oYOoDt that from 1893 tn 1SQO an
preparation was made.
Mrs. JaneC. StOrmont has made the generous
donation of the 'StOrmont Medical Collection"
which now embraces /, 1893 Volumes representing
more than 1900 in value. She intends to
make further personal purchases for the cOllec-
ton, and she has also paid iutO the treasury of
the state 5000 as permanent dOnationfOr the
use of the state.
The librarian expresses the hope that the ap-
preparation for the purchase of books may
again be placed at $4,000 per annum.
The suggestion is made that all money received
from the sale of the supreme court reports, as
now provided by law, and all mOuey 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 over
to the state treasurer any balance of such money
remaining in his hands and not applied as above
provided for.
OndpUof liz OI GLl6 laws VI lOlU, GldpU6T ITO VI
the laws of 1871, and chapter 1856 of the laws Of
1875 contain acts of the legislature regulating
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
it's great usefulness. The records of the past his
tory of Kansas collected by this society during
the seventeen years of it's 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 its own history. In the completion 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 you
will find complete and detailed information of
the needs of these various institutions, together
with information of a general character for the
benefit OF the public. The successful care and
maganement 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 approximate 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, Oathe; institution for the education
of the blind, Kansas City state asylum for idiotic
and imbecile youth, Winfeld soldiers orphans
home, Atchison; and industrial school for girls,
Beloit.
1t will be observed that number of these in
are already crowded with inmates, and
more room is in some cases imperative. 1t is
difficult to choose our course when necessity die
tates 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
insane.