The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-01-18

Is your duty 20 cut on all expenditures not
absolutely necessary. There has never seemed
to me any reason why members Of the state
boards should be paid mileage 1t would be far
more reasonable and sensible to pay them
their necessary travelling expenses actually
paid. and their per diem for all time necessar-
1ly 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 q small bond
as member Of the board. The business-like
way to do would be to abolish all these minor
treasurers and require all moneys to be paid
by the state treasurer. But II this not done.
he ought to be required to give q bond sum-
cfently large to cover any moneys belonging to
the state that may come into his hands.
There seems to be no system Of checks or
counterchecks on any Of these boards. The
board OF charities expend about $4,000 per
year. They make their own contracts, audit
their own accounts and manage matters after
their own will. There is no provision even for
the investigation Of their accounts, except
when the legislature Is seized with q spasm Of
virtue, and examinations of this kind are but
Of little value. The most critical examinations
ought to be made Of the accounts Of every
state institution, at least once quar-
ter. by an expert accountant, who should
visit the institutions at irregular sea-
sons without the slightest notice to the
officers He could render valuable assist
ance by suggesting improved modes Of
keeping accounts. The governor. as the chief
executive of the state. is virtually responsible
for the proper management OF the state insti-
tutionS. To enable him to be brought in closer
touch with their management. would suggest
that he be authorized to employ an additional
clerk. who should be an expert accountant.
and whose duty it should be to examine quar-
terly. or Oftener if directed by the governor.
the accounts Of all the state institutions and
S.ta 10 a n1..< ~
orders Of the governor at all times, with au-
thority to examine the accounts Of county
treaSurers far enough at least to protect the
State in the matter Of state taxes and school
land funds The simp'e fact that there is
difference Of almost 100000 in these accounts
emphasizes the Importance Of this last sug-
gestion.
I deem 1t Of far more Importance that these
suggestions should be carried out than that
radical changes should be made in the num-
bers, powers and duties OF the boards. FIRE.
quent changes in the laws make many and I'M
necessary complications, and it is better Ito
endure the ills we have than to fly to those We
know not Of"
Insane and Insane Asyluns.
The dictates of humanity demand that the
tendereSt care should be given to our unfortu-
nate fellOw-citizens who have been beTeft OF
their reason. No reasonable expense SHOULD
furnish the best medical attendance attainabie.
At present the two asylums at Topeka and
OSawatOmie seem inadequate to pro-
vide suitably for all Of this unfor-
tunate class. The detached building
at Osawatomie for female patients author
lied by the last legislature. is now nearly
completed. and when proper provisions shall
have been made for furnishing AMI fitting it
for occupancy, it will furnish accocaulo iations
for about three hundred females This will re-
lieve for the time being the pressure upon the
two Institutions; but additional room will
soon be required To provide for this need
the asylum at Topeka should be completed by
the erection Of ward building for women and
q center or administration building. When
the institution was opened in 1879. with a ca
pacity Of 12o patients. temporary acconmoda-
tiOnS for officers were provided in one end OF
one Of the ward buildings, and they have ever
since been occupied for that purpose. This
greatly lessons the comfort of the patients. and
this temporary arrangement should be abolish
ed at the earliest possible moment.
The original plan for buildings at OSawato-
mic has. understand. been carried ont. After
the completion OF the original design for build
ings at Topeka no more should be erected at
either place. but whenever additional accom-
mOdatiOnS are required a location should be
secured in the western part Of the state. where
patients from that section can be cared for. IN
order that they may be more easily accessible
to their friends who desire to visit them. The
cost Of commitment would be materially re-
duced
The present laws for the commitment OF the
insane to the asylum seem to be relics OF bar
bariSm. There is something absolutely repul-
Sive to me in the sight OF 4 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 to see
her tried by 4 jury like Il thief. l cannot
see where there could be any danger OF L per-
son being un!awfully deprived OF his liberty II
the probate judge were authorized to appoint
commission Of two or three reputable phySl-
clans to go quietly to the home OF the un;or-
tunate. 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
confidence. to take him quietly to the asylum.
And in case the patient is female. lady at
tendant ought in every case to accompany her.
In the legislative session OF 1891 las WAS
enacted giving the directors Of the pcniten-
tiary authority to send insane coDvictS to the
asylums. There is natural and very strong
repugnance on the part Of the friends OF the
insane to having them compelled to assccif;e
with convictS. At any rate. there Is no reason
to suppose that the directors OF tie prison are
especially we'll qualified to decide what insane
pflSOucrS SHOULD De tFJuSIcETcu duu II SuCu
transfer is to be made at all, it should only be
with the full consent OF the superintendent Of
the asylum, after . careful examination Of The
person proposed to be transferred.
Reformatory.
The legislature in 1885, appropriated $4,000
20 purchase . site and to commence The cree
ton Of buildings for o reformatOry. for the
confinement Of . class OF young criminals
whom It would be possible to reform and turn
TO lives of usefulness II /, q startling fact
that the number Of criminals il the coIniry 1t
large II steadily and surely incre Using. There
seems to be large Slass Of vag-ant. shiftless
trsmps. from which the supply II con-
stantly recruited. The effect OF confinement
In the state prisons seems to make conrrmel
criminals out of those who in some measure
might be called Incidental convicts. Primarily.
the object OF all punishment FOR crime is the
protection of society, but it Is o:ten:imes
better and q cheaper safeguard to society to
make . good law-abidiny 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 reform.tories with
marked success, and suggest to you careful