The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-01-15

visit, during the session OF the legislature. the
| different state institutions and report their
conditions and wants 10 their respective bodies.
! and 1 would esteem it a favor if any suggestions
| they might see proper to make to the two
! houses. be also made to ne. for OF all the re-
! sponSibilities 1 am charged with by the suf-
| frage Of the people of this state. none appeals
more deeply to lie than the welfare of the in
mates OF these institutions.
Insane Asylum Al Osawatcmie.
At the last session Of the legislature. ap9rO-
! priatiOns were made for the rebuilding of the
central building at this institution erection of
/ boiler house. electric light plant. and several
/ minor improvements These Improvements
I have all been made, yet. from the reports %
/ the superintendent Of this institution. l lind
/ that there are several matters that need your
1 consideration. The principal one is. that the
/ property he's sustained serious damage which
/ demands repairs. and unless these are accom-
| plished at the earliest possible moment great
/ injury will be done the institution Not having
/ had an opportunity to visit and make a personal
examination CT this matter I would call the
attention Of your committees who visit the DIFF
ferent state institutions % this report. It would
not only be neglectfuI. but an unSonnd
business policy Ia allow any Of our safe
institutions to be ruined by the elements
on account Of not taking proper precautions for
their preservation II is also as.ed thet a new
I
of the strongest pleas i that the rTeSent laun-
dry building is detrimental to the health of the
institution owing TO its lack of sanitary ar
arrangements. it is said to be a standing menace.
constantly increasing the risk of the inStitu-
ton being destroyed by fire. Several times
during the last few years the public mind and
conscience have been disturbed by awful re-
ports Of the burning Of institutions of this kind
Often the helpless inmates were cremated. and
horrible scenes have been enacted. believe it
our duty TO do all in our power to protect our
state institutions from the elements. and if
upon Investigation the complaints made are
valid 1 believe it would be proper and right to
grant the request. While we are pledged to
economy. we are not pledged to that economy
which risks not alone the states property but
the lives of our fellow-beings. This institution,
like the Topeka insane asylum. is overcrowded,
and every possible means should be employed
to give additional room for those who are at
present unable to gain admittance.
Insane Asylum at Topeka.
1t is noteworthy and lamentable fact that
the percentage of the insane people. compared
with our natural growth, is increasing and
that the accommodations we have to-day for
their care and maintenance are inadequate TO
the demand made by the people Of the state on
these institutions. One of the largest apprOpri-
atoms that will have to be made by the present
legislature is for the care Of the destitute in
sane over the state. who could not be accOmmo-
dated at the Topeka and OSawatomie asylumS.
1t is not alone the extra cost of keeping these
unfortunate people at home, compared with the
cost Of keeping them at the asylum. that enters
into the argument for more room at these inSti-
tutiOnS 1t is impossible to give them the
same care or as good care in their respective
counties as at an institution which is peculiarly
fitted for their reception and maintenance. In
many cases insane people are kept in the
in the county jail. The reports
of institutions of this kind bear me out in say
ing that large per cent, If placed where they
have proper medical attendance and pleasant
environment, recover their reason. Not so
large a per cent. recover when isolated or con-
fined with criminals Hence, it is not only
matter of economy, but a matter of humanity
and right that we should give additional room
at our state institutions for the care of this
class of people For the present. believe that
the asylumS at Topeka and OSawatOmie should
be completed in accordance with the Specifica-
tions of the architect who formulated the plans
for their building, but it is evident that in the
near future another institution will have to be
established. However am of the opinion that
if the two asylums we now have were COM
pleted. we can tide over until the next session
of the legislature. 1t might be well to make
arrangements for the future looking to the
building of another institution of that kind,
so that If the occasion demands it, at the next
session of the legislature appropriations could
be made and the buildings completed as quick
ly as the circumstances and conditions demand.
Asylum for IdiOtic at Winfield.
According to the report of the superintendent
there are III pupils at present in this institu-
ton. The object of the institution is to care
for those who through accident or from birth
have been deprived of the faculties that make
manhood and womanhoOd pleasant and useful,
not only to themselves, but to society and civil
lization. There is no more worthy institution
in the state than this. and while it is in great
measure hoping against hope to attempt to
bring them up TO a 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.
Soldiers 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 we're looked upon by society
as waits. 1t is very pleasing TO q citizen OF the
state to see these foundlings placed in an inStitu
ton where they can enjoy, in a measure, all |
Luhb SOcS W uldhC nOIc udppg. luslSdu VI DCluS
in poor house. The report shows that since |
the opening of the home, S29 children have en- |
ioyed fits benefits, Isl 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. Its board
has been established and kept separate from |
hat OF all of the other institutions Of this state
would recommend that this policy be con-
.inued. in order that those who riSked their |
ives 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 a national home. the state
home at Dodge City is a matter of pride to the
citizens Of our state. Any reasonable request |
hat may be made for this institution should be
yTanted In a 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
which we feel ut this time. might be
cause Of regret in after years.