The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-12

school, coming from "a counties. Last
year there were students from twelve
other states and territories. TWo-thirdS
of the present attendants are ladies.
At the commencement of 1896, 100 stu
dents graduated, about so per cent of
the graduates of recent classes have
gone into the teachers work, and about
per cent are doing advanced work
preparatory to teaching more advanced
students. The attendance is greater
than ever before. Nearly One-half of
the students now in attendance had
teachers certificates when they entered.
About one-fourth of those certificates
were those of the first grade. Two hun
dred of the attendants last year We're
graduates of high schools academies
and colleges. The class which eradu-
ated in 1896 averaged over 26 years of
age, and nearly Ave years teaching ex-
per1ence A few of them hal already
graduated from other colleges and were
prepared to do higher work
This institution has an endowment
fund of $270,O0O buildings and grounds
valued at $780, 900 and furniture labora-
tories and libraries to the value of $780,
600. About $500 per annum is paid as
mileage to Kansas students coming
from outside a radius of 100 miles, and
there are about 200 of these The board
of regents favor the continuance of this
system. The interest on the endowment
fund is somewhat rapidly decreasing.
For the year ending June 30, 1893 the
income from interest was SIG, 8O7. 25.
while for the year ending June 80, 1896,
it was but $14, 300.
The board of regents urge that the
law providing for the recognition of
state normal school diplomas for cities
of the first and second classes be made
so specific that there could be no ques-
ton in the minds of any one as to their
legality as teachers certificates. 1t oc-
ours to me that the state owes it to it
self to see that this is done. IT, after
all the money expended, the graduates
of this institution are not fitted to teach
of schools
stitution is a failure. We know that
our state normal ranks high among
similar institutions, that it's students
are as efficient, curriculum as liberal
its instructors as proficient. as any of
its rivals; therefore, its diplomas should
pc as good, at least, as the certificates
issued by county boards of examina-
ton.
The board of regents asks that GER
tain improvements and additional room
be furnished Under the head of edu-
catlonaI institutions, recommend that
II WOULD better serve the interests of
the people to establish an auxiliary
normal school in some other portion of
the state rather than to erect more ex-
tensive buildings at Emporia. As to
other improvements in the way of ap-
paratus and libraries, the institution
should be efficiently and thoroughly
supported. The school was founded
to train young men and young women
to go out among the rising generation
of Kansas and keep them in touch with
the highest developments of our modern
civilization. The state of Kansas can
not afford to abandon the high ideals
she has established. and towards which
the state normal school is a most potent
instrument
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND
DUMB AT OLATHE.
The report of the superintendent of
this worthy institution shows that the
average attendance of pupils since the
last report has been 225, with a total
III
1895 sickness interfered in a great meas
ure with the success of the school, but
in 1886 improvements are noted in the
general health and today I believe that
it is an excellent condition. In 1896 care
full clinical examination of the ears of
the pupils was made to ascertain whether
their hearing could be benefited by
modern science. This examination,
however, was barren of results and gave
no hope for the recovery of the hearing
by the pupils. Hence, for years or I'M
til their education is completed, they
will be under our supervision. When
[ speak of our educational institutions,
I mean all our institutions of learning
which include this at OIathe and the
one at Kansas City, Kan. Here, as at
the latter place, are taught trades, so
that the child when a graduate, is well
equipped to go out and compete with
those who have been more fortunate.
1t is a gratifying fact that at last this
institution has been supplied with pure
water of an inexhaustibIe supply. This
will add greatly to the health of the
inmates and provide an adequate fire
protection for the buildings. Certain
wants are spoken of in the report
cation, and any money appropriated for
the necessities of this institution will
meet with my approval.
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AT KAN
SAS CITY.
An erroneous idea appears to prevail
throughout the state in regard to this
most worthy institution. By many it
is regarded as a charita BILE institution.
This is not true. 1t is an educational
institution similar to our university,
normal school or agricultural college.
Within its walls education is offered to
and life made brighter and happier for
those who have been bereft of their
sight. Many of the children there are
as intelligent and bright as those who
attend our other institutions. Not
alone are they educated, but taught
many things which will be beneficial to
them in after life. Many trades are
taught to these pupils and they are so
schooled' that they can successfully
compete with their more fortunate fell
low beings. There is nothing that
should appeal to our sense of humanity
more than these children, and I would
recommend that their wants be fully
investigated and that the improvements
demanded by the superintendent re-
ceive careful consideration. Strange
as it may seem, many of those chill
dren are nearly Self-SupportlnS ana,
with judicious investment by the state
of a small amount additional each year
in order to increase its facilities, it will
be not only credit to our humanity
and citizenship but will turn out
class of citizens fully equipped for the
battle of life in many of it's avocations-
Your committees will no doubt visit this
institution during your session, and L
hope that due observation will be given
to the conditions, so that any irregu-
Iarities or aught that stands in the way
of a complete success of the institution
and it's objects and the welfare or the
pupils may be removed
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.