The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-15

clans to go quietly to the home of the unfortun-
ate and make the necessary examination. And
when any person is adjudged insane it would
seem much more appropriate to employ some
friend in whom the insane person had conf
dence to take him quietly to the asylum.
And In case the patient is a female, a lady at
tendant ought in every case to accompany her.
In the legislative session of 1891 a law was
enacted giving the directors of the penitentiarv
authority to send insane conyicts to the asylums.
IheTe is natural and very strong repugnance
on the part OF the friends OF the insane TO haV-
ing them compelled to associate with conyicts.
AT any rate. there is no reason to suppose that
qualified to decide what insane prisoners should
be transferred and if such transfer is be to made
az all NJ Il should only be MADE de, with the consent
careful examination of the person proposed to
be transferred.
RefOrmatOrV.
The legislature IN 1885 appropriated sixty
thousand dollars to purchase a site and to COM
mence the erection of buildings for reforma-
tory, for the confinement of a class OF young
criminals whom 1T would be possible TO
reform and turn TO lives of usefulness. 1t IS a
startling fact that the number of criminals in
the country at large is steadily and surely in
cfeasIng. There seems to be a large class of
VagranG shiftleSs tramps, from which the sup
Ply is constantly recruited. The effect of con-
nnenenG IN our state prisons seems to be TO
some measure might be called Incidental con-
vets. Primarily. the object of all punishment
for crime is the protection of society but it is
oftentimeS better and cheaper safeguard to
society to make good law-abIding citizen out
OF the young man who has fallen into evil ways,
than it would be by repeated convictions to keep
him in the penitentiary. Other states have
adopted system of reformatorieS with marked
success, and / suggest to you a careful lnVeSti-
CATION of their systems and the results that have
followed. with view of carrying out the origin
In pursuance of the act of the legislature of
| 1885 commission was appointed, and site for
/ citizens of that county donating 64O acres of
| valuable land for that purpose. Two hundred
! thousand dollars have since been appropriated
| by the legislature, and nearly the entire amount
| has been expended in the erection of buildings,
some OF which are completed, While Others are
| in unfinished condition, It is claimed that
| small Appropriation for the purpose of putting
| in a heating apparatus and completing the cells
WouId render IL IL Tor occupancy, and tnat the
/ labor of the prisoners could then be utilized
| in completing the work, giving them constant
| and healthful employment and thus avoid
bringing them INTO competition with other m
dusJrieS of the state. This is a matter that de-
mands your prompt and careful consideration,
and some steps should be taken looking to the
| carry opening of a reformatOry, in order that
/ youthful prisoners might be removed from the
society and influence OF hardened criminals
nrs@ssr % Who Tho have seryed ths min IN sen
| tence provided by law for the crime for which
sney dIe sSntenG9u, anu WHY uaTe Wy tnoIl tll-
! form good conduct shown that they are worthy
| of confidence. and who have the promise of
| steady employment Your thoughtful attention
| is invited 20 this matter, with view TO the en-
actment,of a law providing for system OF this
kind in this state.
state House.
The state house ought not to be allowed to
main long in its present unfinished condition
! The wise course, in my Judgment. would be to
the work. that it can be gradually and sub
stantlally advanced to completion. A levy of
would raise at least $160U00, and this would
probably be as much as could be iudiciousIy ex-
| made SO that The work might be commenced at
| once. small appropriation should also be
competent landscape gardener ShQuId pc EN-
plans, and then all the work should be done
along the lines of these plans.
state University.
The superior institutions of learning are receiv-
ing an attention that was never before bestowed
there is spirit of emulation awakening in most
OF the states to place the state unverS sites upon
n d a9 It Should nh Ib e Ike p n
pose of our state to make it great
to anT the n b WdGS GIFTED ae OF the e
university has already accomplished wonder
full work. It has an able and an enthusiastic
managed with signal ability. II is the pride of
every nansan who appreciates its great worth,
| and 1t it 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 d public benefactor who
! better mode of farming increase the prodHc-
| tions of the sol; and one of the instrumental
ties that have done much TO elevate farming in
| Kansas is the state board of agriculture.
The great service rendered TO the
been recognized not only in Kansas aud
America, but in foreign lands, in all of Which
it's useful publications are sought and studied as
the highest authority on matters pertaining to
our condition, prosperity, and progress. In
fact the nigh standard of its work and efficiency
has become so well understood that Older states.
dissatisfied with abOrtlVe attempts to do q like
work with political machinery, are now asking
to be shown the methods by winch Kansas has
been able to accomplish such far-reachlng re-
suits along these lines at such minimum OF
cost Much of the success OF thlS department
is undoubtedly due 10 its having been held aiOof
from party politics aintalned as strictly
non-partisan body, servant OF all the people
alike and the highest wisdom suggests It's be-
ing kept on this basis.
conditions making demand for in greatly in
creased volume. proper and generous provisions
should be made in the line OF CLERICAL. printing
and postage funds This beng the year in
which the board IS required by law to supervise
the taking of our decennIal census and TO COM
pile its returns for printing, the preparation,
Sending and returning of the necessarily extern
SiVe schedules for each township Will demand
very considerable sum for postage and print ng,
and the extra clerical help essential for their
/ compilation will owing to increased population,
prob9 oily cost more rather than less than the
CORES pOnding work on The census OF 1885
Whatever enables this board to enlarge and
extend its work benefits almost the entire popu-
latiOn of Kansas, and it would be wise policy
to Increase the appropriations in its behalf,
even though it be done at the expense of some
other and less useful department.
Banking.
The law of 1891 in relation to Janking has
proven of great benefit to the state, and gener-
ally satisfactory to the people. The banker oc-
cupies position of trust and every safeguard
possible ought TO be thrown around the business
to protect the people from loss. Some slight
changes might be made to increase its efficiency,
but in the main I believe it is all that is requir-
ed. 1t would be well to more clearly define the
powers and duties of the directors; to give them
authority under certain restrictions 10 diminish
their capital There ought also TO be provis
ion thai all fees for examining banks should be
paid directly to the state treasurer and not TO
| The examiner The appropriation for this de-
partmenG should be reduced TO the lowest posi-
ole limit thas IL can be without diminishing IT'S
efficiency. There is constant tendency in all
the departments of the state to increase eXpen-
SEES, 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 twenty years it has, with
"a EtIIa ham from the state mazda