Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-01-24
ost Of commitment would DO materially re-

cost OF commitment would be materially re-
duced
The present laws for tho commitment OF tho
insane to the asylum seem 20 be relies OF bur-
barlsm. There Is something absolutely repul-
siyo TO me In the sight OF u sheriff taking
young lady from her home as he would take
person accused Of crime, and bringing
her before the court, where gaping
crowd OF curious people have gathered 10 sec
her tried by jury like thief l cannot
see where there could be any danger Of q per-
son being unlawfully deprived OF his liberty IL
the probate judge were authorized to appoint
commission OF two or three reputable physi-
clans TO 90 quietly TO the home OF the unfor-
tunate, and make the necessary examination.
And when any person Is adjudged insane, 1t
would seem much more appropriate to employ
some friend IN whom the insane person had
confidence, TO take him quietly TO the asylum.
And In case the patient is female q lady at
teHdant ought In every case 10 accompany her.
Reformatory.
The Legislature in 1885 appropriated 100000
70 purchase site and to commence the cree
tion OF buildings for o reformatory, for the
confinement OF n class Of young criminals
whom 1t would be possible TO reform and turn
to lives OF usefulness.
Other states have
adopted system Of reformatories with
marked success, and suggest to you careful
investigation Of their systems and the results
that have followed, with view Of carrying out
the original plan for u similar system In this
state.
In pursuance OF the act OF the legislature OF
1885, q commission was appointed, and q site
for q reformatory was selected at Hutchinson,
the citizens of that county donating $40 acres
OF valuable land for that purpose. Two hum
dred thousand dollars have since been appro-
"a iNtyt ho nd rlv ba
tire amount has been expended in the erection
OF buildings, some OF which are completed
while others are In an unfinished condi-
ton 1t Is claimed that small appro-
priatlon for the purpose OF putting In
heating apparatus and completing the
cells would render 1t fit for occupancy,
and that the labor Of the prisoners could then
be utilized in completing the work giving them
constant and healthful employment, and thus
avoiding bringing them into competition with
other industriesRf the state
Many OF the states have n system or parolng
prisoners who have served the minimum sem
tence provided by law for the crime for which
they are sentenced, and who have by their
uniform good conduct shown that they are
worthy OF confidence, and who have the prom
Use OF steady employment. Your thoughtful
attention is invited to this matter, with view
I TO the enactment of law providing for sys-
tenn OF this kind In this state,
State House.
The state house ought not to be allowed to
remain long in Its present unfinished condi-
ton. The wise course, in my judgment, would
be to make special levy Of a small amount to
carry on the work. so that 1t can be gradually
and substantially advanced by completion. A
levy OF u Of mill for the years 1895 and 1905
would raise at least 100000, and this would
hoI 1y ha nc ba ind nj u1t
expended during that time Provision should
be made so that the work might be commenced
at once A small appropriation should also be
made for improving the state house grounds.
A competent landscape gardener should be EN-
ployed by the executive council to prepare
plans, and then all work should be along the
lines OF those plans
State University.
The superior institutions of learning are re-
ceivnR an attention that was never before
bestowed upon them in the history Of the
country, and there is spirit of emulation
awakening in most of the states to place the
state universities upon high plane. Our uni
versity has always been the pride Of Kansas,
and 1t should be the purpose of our state to
make 1t great university in the widest sense
of the term, equal to any in the United States
The university has already accomplished
wonderful work. Ithas an able and enthusiastic
ldCulJy, ana lJS DuSlOeSS uluIJeTb nave DeBu
managed with signal ability. 1t is the pride Of
every Kansan who appreciates its great worth,
and 1t is bad policy and worse economy to with
hold from it any needed aid.
State Board of Agriculture.
There is one interest in Kansas overshadow-
ing all others, and that Is the interest Of the
farmer. Whatever promotes that interest de-
velops the state. He is public benefactor
who can by arousing new zeal, or by develop
ing better mode of farming, increase the pro-
auctions Of the soil and one of the instru-
mentalities that have done much to elevate
farming in Kansas is the state board Of agri-
cultute. The great service rendered to the
state by It's board Of agriculture has long
been recognized not only in Kansas and Amer
lea, but In foreign lands, in all Of which its
useful publications are sought and studied Us
the highest authority on matters pertaining to
our condition, prosperity and progress In
fact, the high standard Of its work and eff
cheney has become so well understood that
older states, dissatisfied with abortive at
tempts to do like work with political ma
chinery are now asking to be shown the
methods by which Kansas has been able to ac-
complish such far-reaching results along these
lines at such a minimum OF cost Much Of the
success Of this department Is undoubtedly due
to its having been held aloof from party poll
tics-maintained as a strictly non-partisan
body, servant of all the people alke and the
highest wisdom suggests its being kept on this
basis.
For doing the helpful work, which present
conditions are making demand for in greatly
increased volume, proper and generous pro-
visions should be made in the line Of clerical,
printing and postage funds
Whatever enables this board to enlarge and
extend its work benefits almost the entire pop
ulation OF Kansas, and 1t would be wise
policy to increase the appropriations in its be-
half, even though it be done at the expense OF
some other less useful department.
Banking.
There
ought also to be provision that all fees for
examining banks should be paid directly to
the state treasurer and not to the examiner.
The appropriation for this department should
be reduced to the lowest possible limit that 1t
can without diminishing its efficiency. There
is a constant tendency in all the departments
of the state to increase expenses, which ought
to be checked before taxation passes the point
OF endurance.
Historical Society.
The State Historical society should have a
warm place In the hearts of the people of the
state for nearly 20 years 1t has, with compare
lively little help from the state made an ear
nest persistent effort to gather within its rooms
everything pertaining to the history of Kansas
1t has more than ten thousand bound vol
umes Of Kansas newspapers and magazines;
and there Is no better record of the progress OF
the state than can be found within these files.