The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-01-22

the opinion that II the two asylums we now
have were completed, we can tide over
until the next session of the legislature. 1t
might be well to make arrangements Tor
the future ooh Ing to the building OF an
other institution of this kind, so that II the
occasion demands 1t 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 Idlotic and Imbccilo 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, ana
would ask for the inmates of this institu-
ton. which appeals so much to our human
ity, the same considerable 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 0he soldiers orphans
home at Atchlson) 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
waits. 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
"The Soldiers home at Dodge City has
been established and maintained for years
for the care and enjoyment OF lhe 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. L
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
tional home, the state home at Dodge City is
a matter of pride to the citizens of our state.
Any reasonable request that may be made
for this 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
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 ask that nor
NAL schools be established. Should YOU con-
clude that another normal school Is ncces-
7 4 SURE hat ln m
some portion of the state of the largest pop
ulation and in some central city of that
section.
The Schools of tho State.
"The report of the superintendent of pub
lie instruction indicates that there are 92S4
schools in the state with a school popula-
ton of 495,771. OF these, 376,339 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 S42.82 per month and for fe-
males teachets, of $35.5S per month The
average number of mills levied for all
school purposes was 1119. The school
property of Kansas, including buildings and
grounds, is valued at S10,145,631. The
bonded Indebtedness of the school districts
was $44 ,545 70S. Sixteen thousand eight
hundred and thirty-seven persons were ex-
amined for teachers certificates, of whom
IL ,468, 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 $39, 776.60.
Tho Permanent School Fund.
"The state permanent school funds have
reached the munifcent sum of sc, 1853, 987.79
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.
1.-THE rapid increase in attendance during
recent years has made 1t di1lcult 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 a chemistry hall If the legislature
decides to erect this building, 1t is the inten-
ton to devote the present diminutive chem
istry building to the school of pharmacy,
which at present appears to be in a rather
unsettled condition as to house room.
Again 1t 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
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
of the legislature. Only in
telligent citizens of Kansas can maintain
republic, and believe 1t Is settled princi-
Pile 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.
Tho State Agricultural College.
"This institution has faculty of twenty