The advocate., 1897-01-20


there are III pupils at present in this institu-
tion. The object OF the institution is to care
Tor those who through accident or from birth
have been deprived Of the faculties that make
manhood and womAnh0Od pleasant and useful,
not only to themselves but to society and civi-
lization. There is no moro worthy institution
In the state than this, and, while 1t is In great
measure hoping against hope to attempt to
bring them up TO standard which will make
them useful citizens, yet this is not valid rea-
son why our efforts should be abated or why we
should fail to do our whole duty in their care
and maintenance and education.
SOldlers' Orphans Home at AtchisOn.
This institution was founded and endowed for
the purpose Of caring for the orphan children OF
the veterans Of our civil war, but years have
rolled by since that event. and the orphans Of
the soldiers have in most instances become cit
liens and capable Of caring for themselves.
Since that time, however the doors have been
opened to the orphan children Of the state who
are needy and who were looked upon by society
as waits 1t is very pleasing to citizen Of che
state to see these fOundlings placed In an nstitu
ton where they can enjoy in measure all
that goes to make home happy, instead Of being
in poor house. The report shows that since
the opening Of the home, 800 children have en-
joyed It's benefits, 151 Of whom have been re-
stored to the care of parents or relatives who
have recovered their ability to provide for
them. Any reasonable demand made by this
institution should receive attention, to the end
that throughout the borders Of our great state,
no child be allowed to suffer from hunger or the
need Of raiment
Soldiers Home at Dodge City.
This home has been established and main
tanned for years for the care and enjoyment Of
the INDECENT soldiers Of our civil war. It's board
has been established and kept separate from
that of all Of the other institutions OF this state
would recommend that this policy be con-
tinued, In order that those who risked their
lives In their country's defense may have the
advantage Of the best treatment possible from
our people. Kansas Is known as the great
soldier state OF the union, and while we have
within our borders q national home, the state
home at Dodge City is o matter Of pride to the
citizens Of our state. Any reasonable request
that may be made for this institution should be
granted In few years the men who now in
habit the home will have passed over into the
unknown, and anything we might do at the
present. unthinkingly in the interest Of
economy which we feel at this time, might be
o cause Of regret in after years.
Educational Institutions.
The public school system of Kansas is the
| best evidence Of the character Of our people
and the best promise OF our future. That the
percentage of illiteracy is lower and the aver
| age Of general intelligence Is higher In Kansas
than in New York and the New England states,
where great wealth commanded admirable edu-
catiOnal facilities before our state was founded,
! is most gratifying to our people. We should
indeed be most different commonwealth, IL
this admirable system, crowned by the several
institutions Of higher learning,did not appeal to
state pride. In order to achieve that general
intelligence which Is essential to successful
| citizenship 1t is absolutely necessary that we
should maintain a system Of public schools
that shall give the youth Of this state ample
opportunity to flt themselves for the duties
Of citizenship In dealing with the educational
institutions Of the state no niggardly hand
should be used, whether you touch the humble
country school or enter the halls Of the great
state institutions. The condition Of the times
| demands strict economy, but the economy that
| would take from any child the right and priyi-
| lege Of receiving an education Is false economy,
! against the best interests OF society and detri-
mental to the future of our state. Some of the
chief educational institutions notably the state
university and the state normal school, which
are reported crowded, will ask for certain TN
F., provements and additional buildings Several
| localities will ask that normal schools be eS-
tablished. Should you conclude that another
normal school is necessary, would suggest
that it be located in some portion Of the state
OF the largest population and in some central
city Of that section. The school property OF
Kansas, including buildings and grounds,
is valued at e1O,145,6S1. The bonded
Indebtedness Of the school districts was
S44,545,TOS. Sixteen thousand eight hundred
and thirty-seven persons were examined for
teachers certificates, Of whom l1,468, with an
average age Of 20 years, received certificates
Only 356 districts have failed to maintain pub
lie schools three months. One hundred and
1--WE counties held teachers Institutes, each Of
which has ON attendance Of over 80 members
These institutes cost SS9, 57&61 The school
system is the pride Of our state. AS Sparta's
yoS Vok ", 'how WALLS hY,k mar,