Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-01-14
state Norma, school


income of SSS. 200 of which, for the year ended
June So 1885, 81. 1859 were received from fees
from the model department, special classes
and irregular students One hundred and
eighty-hve children are instructed in the model
department which is utilized for training pur-
poses Ninety counties are represented at the
institution. During the last ten years IL Ola
pupils have attended the state normal school
coming from "a counties Last year there
were students from IL other states and terri
tories. Two-thirdS of the present attendants
are ladies' This institution has an endow-
ment fund of about $40 OOO0 buildings
laboratories and libraries to the value of $50 600
The interest on the endowment fund is some
what rapidly decreasing. For the year ending
June 30, 1893, the income from interest was
Sic, sO7. % while for the year ending June 80
1896. it was but s14,30O. 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 question in the minds of
any one as to their legality teachers certifi-
Gates It occurs to me that the state owes it to
itself to see that this is done. If,
after all the money expended, the
graduates of this institution are
not fitted to teach any of our common
schools, the Institution is failure. The board
of regents ask that certain improvements and
additional room be furnished. Under the head
of educational institutions, 1 recommend that it
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 extensive buildings at Emporia As to
other improvements in the way of apparatus and
libraries, the institution should be efficiently
and thoroughly supported.
School for the Deaf and Dumb.
The report OF the superintendent of this
worthy institution shows that the average at
tendance OF pupils since the last report has
been 225, with 4 total enrolment of 24O. In 1896
careful clinical examination of the ears of the
pupils was made to ascertain whether their
hearing could beebcnefited by modern science.
This examination, however. was barren OF re-
suits and gave no hOpa for the recovering Of
hearing by the pupils. Hence. for years or till
their education is completed, they will be under
our supervision. When speak OF our educa-
tional institutions mean all of our institutions
Of learning, which include this at OIathe and the
one at Kansas City. Here. as at the latter
place, taught trades, so that the child,
when q graduate, is well equipped to go out and
compete with those who have been more fortu-
nate. Certain wants arc spoken OF in the re-
port which believe will bear your inveStiga-
ion, and any money appropriated for the ueceS-
sites of this institution will meet with my
hearty approval
School for the Blind.
An erroneous idea appears to prevail through
out the state IN regard to this most worthy In
StitutfOn. By many it is regarded as a charita-
Die institution This is not true. 1t is an edu-
:ational institution similar to university,
formal school or agricultural college Within
is walls education is offered to and life made
brighter and happier for those who have been
oereft of their sight. Many of the children
here are as intelligent and bright as those who
attend our other institutions There is nothing
hat should appeal to our sense OF humanity
more than these children, and would recon-
mend that their wants be duly Investigated and
hat the improvements demanded by the super
receive careful consideration. Strange
IS 1t may seem, many OF these children are self
supporting and, with judicious investment OF
the state of a small amount of additional cash
each year in order to increase its facilities, it
will be not only credit to our humanity and
but will turn out class of citizens
FULLY equipped for the battle OF life in many OF
its avocationS-
Kansas Penitentiary at Lansing.
The penitentiary contained s91 prisoners june
30, 1895. OF these IL were women For tho
fiscal year ended June 80. 1895. the expenditures
If the institution were Sl51 900 %, the earnings
BIAS, 916.50. The report of the warden board of
directors and officials contains an exhaustive
treatise on the expenditures and necessities OF
The institution. But few realize the magnitude |
IF this institution the careful attention |
which it should receive from the legislature in |
order to keep it abreast Of institutions of the
same kind in sister states AT times in our his
,ory this has been a Self-supporting institution
At other times it has been considerable Of a |
burden to the taxpayers Of the state. The OUT |
put OF coal from the penitentiary has been its
principal source OF revenue, yet there Is |
! sentiment in portions OF the state |
against utilizing this coal except |
or state institutions In another |
or this message certain r6cOmmenCa-
ions are made in regard to thessurplusafter the |
state institutions supplied This, in my |
at this time. is as far as we can go |
IN the line of correcting the placing of coal, |
mined by convict labor, in competition with |
rec labor. II it could be so arranged that in |
stead of producing so much coal, other manu- |
actories could be established which would not |
compete with the free labor of the state, it |
would be better than present system To |
place man in enforced idleness would in |
,rease his cost Of maintenance to the taxpayers |
If the state, and while his efforts may in a |
Measure work hardship engaged in |
hat industry, yet the cost OF maintaining him |
n idleneSS would prove grievouS burden on |
al who contribute to the support Of the state |
oy taxation
There are certain recommendations made by |
,he board to which your attention is directed |
The principal necessities seem to be the COM |
1letion OF more cells for the use Of prisoners |
and additional clothing for convicts- The COM |
oletion of cells will neceSSitate the |
placing of heating apparatus and /
lew other necessities in these cells would /
to your honorable body that the |
efficiency of this institution should not be i'm
paired by any lack OF substantial assistance on /
your part Economy that would make cOndi- |
tons so that the guilty could escape from /
prison cells and again be thrown loose upon |
he communicated society would not be economy |
N line with the best interests of the state Your
committee from the two houses will visit this |
institution and 10 doubt will carefully inVesti- |
gate and report to you any Improvements or |
changes necessary to add to the efficiency Of /
the institution
Reform School at Topeka
II there is any institution in the state which ]
'orm school for boys, situated in capital /
.ity is that one Not that would charge in /