Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-21

DleteQ In aoeOrQaDCe Win Lne bpeCluCdLlOub
Of the architect who formulated the plans
for their building, but 1t 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 completed, we can tide over
until the next session of the legislature. It
might be we'll to make arrangements for
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
made and the buildings completed as quick
ly as the circumstances and conditions de-
mand
For IdlOtlo and Imbeclle Youth.
According to the report of the superin-
tendent, there,are lit pupils at present in
this institution. There are few recon-
mendations made by the superintendent
which will need your consideration, and 1
would ask for the inmates of this institu-
ton, which appeals so much to our human
| ity the same considerate treatment as Is
accorded those who have brighter futures
and are possessed of faculties that make
| life worth living.
Soldiers, Orphans and Veterans.
"Thls institution (the soldiers orphans
home at Atchison) was founded and endow-
ed 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 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
and who were looked upon by society as
wallis. Any reasonable demands 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
'"rhe Soldiers home at Dodge City has
been established and maintained for years
for the care and enjoyment of abe INDECENT
soldiers of our civil war. Its 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 pos
sible from our people. Kansas is known as
the great soldier state OF the union, and,
while we have within our borders the ma
tlonal home, the state home at Dodge City Is
matter of pride to the citizens of our state.
Any reasonable request that may be made
for this institution should be granted.
Educational Institutions.
| IuC punt SCuOOl SYSTEM VI hdllSda IL
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
ings. Several localities will = x that nor
NAL schools be established. Should you con-
clude that another normal school is neces-
sary would suggest that 1t be located in
some portion of the state of the largest pop
ulation and in some central city of that
| section.
The Schools of the State.
"The report of the superintendent of pub
lie instruction indicates that there are 1924
schools in the state, with a school popula-
ton of 495,771. OF these, 379,339 were en-
rolled in the schools, while there was an
average attendance of 252,727. Eleven
thousand seven hundred teachers were en-
ployed, with an average salary, for male
teachers, of S42.S2 per month, and for fe-
males teachets. of 1858 per month The
average number of mills levied for all
school purposes was lilo The school
property of Kansas, including buildings and
grounds, Is valued at S10145,6 31. The
bonded indebtedness of the school districts
was S44, $40, 709 Sixteen thousand eight
hundred and thirty-seven persons were ex-
amined for teachers certificates, of whom
IL, 46s, with an average age of 90 years, re-
ceived certificates. Only $50 districts have
failed 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
Tho Permanent School Fund.
1.-THE state permanent school funds have
reached the muniflcent sum of Sc, 953, 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 l
would suggest that the attorney general,
If necessary, be empowered to collect the
interest and principal on these delinquent
! 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 1t difficult 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 inten-
| ton to devote the present diminutiye chem
| istry building to the school of pharmacy,
which at present appears to be in 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,
and In some respects ranks as the first, has
become so large that 1t is simply stored
like baled hay in its present quarters The
property although accumulated at slight
expense, seems to have great value, and
in its present quarters the state might lose
by fire 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 engin-
eering have become absolute necessities 1
commend the requests of the regents for
more room to the serious and thoughtful
consideration of the legislature. Only in
telligent citizens of Kansas can maintain a
republic, and believe 1t is a settled princi-
pie of the commonwealth of Kansas that
her people shall be as we'll prepared for the
duties of citizenship as those of any state in
the Union.
The State Agricultural College.