The advocate., 1897-01-20

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after ell 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, / recommend that 1t
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 ofapparatus 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 total enrolment OF 24O In 1895
careful 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 re-
suits and gave no hope 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 Ou7 edJca-
tiOnal institutions mean all OF our institutions
Of learning which include this at Olathe and the
one ut Kansas City. Here, as at the latter
place, are 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 are spoken Of in the re-
port which believe will bear your investiga-
tion and any money appropriated for the neces-
stiles 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
stitution. BY many 1t is regarded as charita-
BILE institution. This is not true. 1t Is an edu-
cational 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. There is nothing
that should appeal to our sense OF humanity
more than these children, and | would recon-
mend that their wants be duly investigated and
that the improvements demanded by the super
intendent receive careful consideration. Strange
as It may seem, many Of these children are self
supporting and, with judiclous investment OF
the state OF q small amount Of additional cash
each year in order to increase its facilities, 1t
win 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
its avocations.
Kansas Penltentlary at Lansing.
The penitentiary contained S9l prisoners June
30 1895. OF these II were women. For the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1895, the expenditures
Of the institution were 1851, ,6OO29, the earnings
914S 9l8.5O. 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
Of this institution or the careful attention
which 1t 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
tory this has been q self-suppOrting institution.
Az other times 1t has been considerable OF q
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
q sentiment in portions Of the state
against utilizing this coal except
for state institutions. In another
portion Of this message certain recommends
tions are made in regard to theSsurplusafter the
state institutions are supplied This, in my
Judgment, at this time is as far as we can go
on the line Of correcting the placing OF coal,
mined by convict labor In competition with
free labor. II it could be so arranged that in
stead Of producing so much coal, other manu-
factories could he established which would not
compete with the free labor Of the state, 1t
would be better than our present system. To
place man in enforced idleness would in
crease his cost Of maintenance to the taxpayers
Of the state, and while his efforts may in q
measure work hardship on men engaged in
that industry, yet the cost Of maintaining him
in idleness would prove a grievous burden on
all who contribute to the support Of the state
by taxation.
There are certain recommendations made by
the board to which your attention is directed.
The principal necessities seem TO be the COM
pletiOn Of more cells for the use of prisoners
and additional clothing for convicts. The COM
pletiOn Of cells will necessitate the
placing Of heating apparatus and q
few other necessities in these cells. l would
recommend to your honorable body that the
eFaciencv of this institution should not be i'm