The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-01-18

state. wise and equitable laws controlling the
water supply OF the streams that We hatc, may
be necessary, brt the Chief source of supply. in
my judgment, must come from what Is known
as the ''under-how," and be utilized by pump
ing. And as every man who owns his fern
owns his water, and cad own his plant, no leg
islatien Is Necessary to aid him in the develop
ment of his farm Experimental stations, how
ever, can be made valuable, and a thorough and
systematic survey Of that portion OF the state
may develop ssme new means Of utilizing the
present water supply. most earnestly COM
mend to your careful consideration the subject
of retaining that beautiful section of our state
Uniformity of Textbooks.
The question of state uniformity of text
books is an important one, and should receive
your serious attention. As it now is, there is
not even county uniformity. Indeed, in many
Of our counties the textbooks change with the
school-district lines In some counties there
are from FIVE to ten different kinds Of text
books used in the public schools. family
moving from one district to another is thereby
needleSsly put to great expense. The result is,
that in the aggregate the people OF the state
expend many thousands Of dollars for which
they never receive any adequate return, which
would be saved the people il we had uniform
ity Of textbooks This is all the more i'm
portant because this burden falls usually
upon those who are least able to bear
it. The farm tenant, who changes his
residence from year to year, or the laborer,
Who seeking employment, must move from one
city to another, is almost invariably compelled
to buy new set of books for his children.
This is imposing upon him an unjust burden,
and compelling him to spend quite large
amount of money uselessly, because the books
which he is compelled to dispense with are just
as valuable, and as useful for the instruction
Of children, as the new ones which he is COM
PEELED to buy. There is no valid argument
against the system of state uniformity, and
there are many arguments for it, and where it
has been tried it has proven very advantageous.
Chickamauga.
Under the act Of congress of August 10. 1890, q
park has been established at the battlefield of
Chickamauga, and the government has pur-
chased, or proceedings are pending for the pur-
chase, of over 5000 acres of the battlefield. en-
oracing most of the heavy fighting ground. A
commission was appointed by the president to
take charge of this work. and nearly all of the
states whose troops were engaged in that bat
lie have already appointed commissions to act
in conjunction with the United States commits
sioners in locating the positions OF the differ
emit regiments and batteries; and most Of the
states have provided for the erection of suit
able monuments to mark the position occupied
oy their respective troops on the field.
- In that memorable battle Kansas was repre-
sented by Gen. Robert B. Mitchell. command
ing division Of cavalry; Col. John A. Martin,
commanding a brigade, and Lieut.-Col. j. L.
Aber nathy, commanding the Eighth regiment
Of Kansas volunteers.
Eighteen states have already appointed COM
missions to assist the national commission in
the work of locating positions. The Eighth
Kansas regiment should have one monument
near the Viniard place, where it fought on Sat
urday, the 10Th, one at Orchard Knob, and one
On Missionary Ridge.
I would most earnestly recommend that the
sum of $500 be appropriated for the erection
Of these three monuments, and that the fur
Their sum of 800 be appropriated to pay the eX-
penses of three commissioners, to be appointed
by the governor, from the survivors of that
battle, to select the proper monuments and to
decide where they shall be placed.
In the matter of public printing the
governor recommends that thorough
revision of the whole subject be made
by the legislature, as the state pays
too much for its printing, and lot OF
matter is printed which is of no impor-
lance. The abuses that have grown
up in the system of fees and salaries is
called attention to, also that of en-
ploying enrolling clerks.
State Boards.
Several propositions have been discussed
looking to change of the powers and duties Of
The state boards, but doubt the wisdom OF
making any radical changes in this respect
Some amendments might be made which would
increase the efficiency CT these boards, and il
would be vel for you to consider the propriety
Of abol1shing entirely some Of them. It would
seem that either the board of public works Oh
the office of state architect might be
dispensed with The Office OF silk COM
any &etriment to the state. The state
board Of health might be made less expensive
without materially diminishing it's efficiency
The office of state veterinarian might be abol-
shed and the Office placed under the control
Of the professor of veterinary at the agricul-
tural college. In these times Of depression il
Is your duty to cut Off all expenditures moi
absolutely necessary. There has never seemed
to me any reason why members OF the state
boards should be paid mileage. 1t would be fal
more reasonable and sensible to pay then
their necessary travelling expenses actually
paid, and their per diem for all time necessar-
lily employed, and know no good reason why
the per diem should be increased. The treas
urer Of the board of charities handles large
amount of money. and gives only small bono
as member of the board. The buSineSS-likt
way to do would be to abolish all these minor
by the state treasurer. But if this not done
he ought to be required to give a bond suffi
GENTLY large to cover any moneys belonging t.
the state that may come into his hands.
There seems to be no system Of checks o
counterchecks on any OF these boards. III
board of charities eXpend about S35O,OO0 pc
year. They make their own contracts, audi
their own accounts and manage matters afte
their own will. There is no provision even TO
the investigation of their accounts, excep
when the legislature is seized with a spaSm o
virtue, and examinations Of this kind are blu
of little value. The most critical examination
state institution, at least once quar-
ter. by an expert accountant, who shoul
visit the institutions at irregular sea
sons without the slightest notice to tn
officers He could render valuable assist
ance by suggesting improved modes O
keeping accounts. The governor, as the chic
executive of the state, is virtually responsible
for the proper management OF the state 1nSt1
tutions. To enable him to be brought in close
touch with their management, would sugges
that he be authorized to employ an additions
clerk. VINO should be an expert accountan,
and whose duty it should be to examine quar-
terlv. or oftener if directed by the governor
the accounts of all the state Institutions an
state boards He should also be subject to tn
orders of the governor at all times, with au
thOrity to examine the accounts OF county
treasurers far enough at leas. to protect the
state in the matter of state taxes and school,
land funds. The simple fact that there Is
difference of almost Si0o,000 in these accounts
emphasizes the importance OF this last sug'
geStion.
Insane aud Insane Asy,ums.
The dictates Of humanity demand that LIT
Ton Srn t,ar OIL n nnfOrtn