The advocate., 1897-09-08

scarcely duOCueE great Interest mas IlOt
representatives on the floor of both
houses. II there is defect in our code
there are lawyers there to see 1t cor
rected. If the profession of medicine is
being OverTun with Quacks there are
doctors there to put up barriers. II
farmers want legislation in their inter
est, farmers are there to represent their
claims. And who does not know that
both houses have on the floor hired at
tOrneys in the interests of the railroads?
But as a rule the State institutions have
only their superintendent in the lobby,
bearing their own expense and forced to
neglect the work of their institutions for
the time being in the hope of securing
some legislation in the interest Of the
unfortunate, dependent classes in their
care, with the usual result of being re-
buffed as a common lobbyist-without
money Under these circumstances is it
any wonder that no provision has been
secured for teaching the inmates at the
Boys Reform School useful trades by
which to make an honest living when
discharged?
And this is but one of many reforms
needed, as Senator Jumper will learn
by becoming familiar with the institu
tiOns. hope he will not for moment
harbor thought of resigning his seat In
the Senate, but as q member Of the Board
Of Charities make himself familiar with
the needs of the several institutions, and
in the Senate work to secure the legis-
lation so much needed for their proper
care and control
Brother Elder has had more varied
and larger experience in our Legislature
than any other man now living in the
State of Kansas He has not only been
member of both houses, but the pre-
siding officer of both. He has been a
prominent candidate for Governor Of the
State and for the United States Senate,
and during this legislative career, ex
tending over a period of some thirty
years, the Board of Trustees of Charita-
BILE Institutions was created, and since
its creation has had the handling Of
nearly one-half million dollars OF the
States money annually-sOmewher in
the neighbOrhOod of $7,0O0OOO all told;
still the members of the board have
never been and are not now required to
give any bond for the safe control of that
money, Now | can but believe that II
Mr.. Elder had been aware of this grave
omission while a member of the Legis-
lature he would have seen to it that it
was corrected, or would have done what
he could to correct it. Senator M. A.
Householder, an ex-member Of the
board, had observed this startling def
cheney, as well as many other omissions
and errors in the laws for the govern
ment Of the institutions, and at the last
session of the Legislature introduced a
bill to correct them, which passed the
Senate by a nearly unanimous vote He
was there to explain it. But when it
reached the House 1T met with differ
ent fate, because the institutions had no
representative in that body, and it was
defeated almost ais unanimously as 1t
was carried in the Senate. l mention
this case, as it is one that strongly illus
trates the point l am trying to make
clear, and which will, trust, be appre-
ciated by the average legislator, whether
he knows anything Of the workings Of
the State institutions or not, viz, that
they should be ably represented in both
houses OF the Legislature by the placing
of at least one member Of each house
upon each Of the State boards, for in
this way only can we hope to secure any
thing approaching intelligent legislation
for the control Of these vital interests
Of the State.
Permit me, before closing, to express
my hearty approval Of Judge DOster's
able defense Of the rights of the legis-
lative branch Of our State government
against the encroachment Of the judi
niaru. and fllrthar To axnrass my hinh