Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-01-20

pleted in accordance with the specifications
OF the architect who formulated the plans
Tor their building, but it is evident that in
the near future another institution viii
the opinion that if the two asylums we now
nave were completed, we can tide over
until the next session of the legislature. II
might be well to make arrangements fo1
the future looking to the building of an.
other institution of this kind so that If the
occasion demands it at the next session OF
the legislature, appropriations could be
nade and the buildings completed as quick
ly as the circumstances and conditions de-
mand.
For Idiotic and ImbecIle Youth
According to the report of the superin-
tendent there are III pupils at present in
this institution. There are a few recon-
mendauons made by the superintendent
which will need your consideration, and
would ask for the inmates of this institu-
ton. which appeals so much to our hum an
lty, the same CoDsiderate treatment as is
accorded those who have brighter futures
and are possessed of faculties that make
life worth living.
Soldiers, Orphans and Veterans.
This institution Ohe soldiers orphans
nome at Atchison) was founded and endow-
ed Tor the purpose of caring for the orphan
Cnlldren OF the veterans of our civil war
but years have rolled by since that event
ana the orphans of the soldiers have in
most instances become citizens 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
ana who were looked upon by society as
waits. Any reasonable demands made nv
TINS 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
The Soldiers home at Dodge City has
Deen established and maintained for years
for the care and enjoyment of The INDECENT
Foldlers or our civil war. It's board has been
established and kept separate from that of
all OF the other institutions of this state I
would recommend that this policy be con-
unued, in order that those who risked their
lives in their country's defense NAV have
the advantage of the best treatment DOS
Slple from our people. Kansas is known as
the great soldier state OF the union and
whlle we have within our borders the ma
uonal nome, the state home at Dodge CITY is
matter of pride to the citizens of our state.
Any reasonable request that NAV be made
Ior thls institution should be granted
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 average of general intelligence is
higher in Kansas than in New York and the
New England states where great wealth
commanded admirable educational facili-
Ties before our state was founded is most
gratifying to our people. Some of the chief
educational Institutions notable the State
University and the State Normal School
which are reported crowded, will ask for
certain improvements and additional build
lngS. Several localities will ask that nor
MAJ schools be established. Should you con-
clude that another normal school is neces-
sary would suggest that it be located in
some portion of the state of the largest pop
ulatlon and in some central CITY of that
section.
The Schools of the State.
The report of the superintendent of pub
nc instruction indicates that there are 1924
SCHOOLS In the state, with a school popula-
tlon OF 4957T1. OF these, 1899 were en-
rolled in the schools while there was an
average attendance of 252. 727. Eleven
thousand seven hundred teachers we're en-
ployed, with an average salary, for male
teachers, OF s42.S2 per month and for fe-
males teachetS of S35.5S per month The
average number of mills levied for all
school purposes was 11.19. The school
property of Kansas, including buildings and
grounds, is valued at $1O145, ,631 The
bonded Indebtedness of the school districts
was S44, 545,70S. Sixteen thousand eight
hundred and thirty-seven persons were ex-
amlned Tor teachers certificates, of whom
IL ,46S, with an average age of 90 years. re-
ceiyed certificates. Only $50 districts have
talIed TO maintain public schools three
months. One hundred and five counties
hold teachers institutes. each of which has
an attendance of over fifty members. These
institutes cost S3S, ,776.6O.
The Permanent School Fund.
The state permanent school funds have
reached the munifcent sum of SC, $50, ,9S7.79
the greater part of which has been in
vested in bonds The intent and purpose
OF the law governing the purchase of
bonds, with this fund was to buy none but
the best and those on which the interest
and principal would be promptly paid
would suggest that the attorney general
II necessary, be empow wered to collect the
interest and principal on these delinouent
bonds, If possible, and if not possible to
collect in full, by and with the consent
OF the executive council to compromise on
the best terms possible for the interests
of this fund, the proceeds to be turned into
the permonent school fund, as provided by
law.
The University of Kansas.
THE rapid increase in attendance during
recent years has made it dificult for the
university to keep pace with the demands
OF the students. The board of regents
makes very earnest petition for the build
ing OF chemistry hall. If the legislature
decides to erect this building it Is the fnten-
ton to devote the present diminutive chem
istry building to the school of pharmacy.
whlch at present appears to be in a rather
unsettled condition as to house room.
Again it appears from reports at hand
that the museum, which ranks among the
first possessed by any American colleges
ana in some respects ranks as the first has
become so large that it is simply stored
IKE oaied hay in its present quarters The
property, although accumulated at slight
expense, seems to have a great value and
in its present quarters the state might lose
by hre or other accident five times the
value that would be required to erect a
building suitable for the purposes or the
museum.
The time has evidently been reached
when larger quarters for the department
OF chemistry, at least. and probably for the
workshop of the school of electrical enein-
eering have become absolute necessities 1
commend the requests of the regents for
more room 10 the serious and thoughtful
consideration of the legislature. Only in
tetligent citizens of Kansas can maintain a
republic, and believe 1t is settled princi-
pie of the commonwealth of Kansas that
her people shall be as well prepared for the
duties OF citizenship as those of any state in
the Union.
The State Agricultural College.
This institution has faculty of twenty
four members and an attendance of CAT stu
dents two-thirds of whom are young men.
The students come from seventv-two
counties in Kansas and most of them are
from farms The average age is little less
than 21. The incomes last year was S73.-
6oo.37. The agricultural college has an en-
dowment fund of $500, 900. which is invested
in bonds bearing interest at from 5 to 10
per cent Three-ffths of this money are
invested in municipal bonds which bear 6
per cent interest. The properties of the in