Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-01-14
State Reformatory at 4utchinson.

least hardened criminals from our state penf-
tertiary The report of the board and my
knowledge OF the institution lead me to believe
that it has proven a success and is solving the
question Of what to do with young criminals
who are started on a career of crime. In con-
nection with the institution is farm of 6sa
acres which, am informed, has produced
about II. GOO bushels OF corn this year, in addi-
ton to a large amount of vegetables
for use in the institution. in return for the work
OF the boys A tailoring department and shoe
factory conducted, where the inmates
are taught trades. Schools are maintained at
night for those who labor during the day and
during the day for those who do not labor. The
board of directors is asking for an appropria-
ton to complete certain portions of the building
SO that it can be used to accommodate other in
mates, and in my Judgment the requests should
be granted, to the end that the erring may be
reclaimed and our young boys who have taken
a step in the wrong direction be brought back
to the path of rectitude and right and made
honorable citizens
Industrial School for Girls at Beloit.
All that have said relative to the reform
atory for boys at Hutchinson, will apply to this
institution While that teaches good citizen
ship and habits of industry erring boys this
does the same for Maynard girls. The superin-
tendent and the state board of charities deem
it essential that certain improvements be made.
would commend to you these reports and that
this institution receive fair and just treatment
Board OF Agriculture.
In its past in history the board of agricul-
ture has been matter of public derision but .
in later years. in the hands OF competent men
and men who have taken deep interest in the
matter, it has become matter of state pride
and Of much benefit to the agricultural portions
of the state. The reports of this ONCE have not
only received Communications from the press of
the state, but have been accepted good aU-
thority on certain matters in sister states
AS a large portion of our citizens are interested
in agriculture, 1 deem it right and proper that
this board should receive due consideration at
your hands, to the end that Kansas may have
the advantage of the experience of others. anc
along the different lines which bring success to
the men engaged in this calling.
Board of Public Works.
Ny predecessor, in his message to the legis-
iature two years ago, recommended the abolish
ment of the board of public works. The senate
upon this recommendation, made no appropria-
not repealed This is matter which
will leave entirely to your Judgment 1 cannot
refrain, however, from saying that 1 heartily
agree with the Recommendation made by Gov.
Morrill, that the board should be abolished
Board of Health.
The report of the board of health has many
valuable suggestions in regard to the sanitary
conditions of our different state Institutions
and, while people prone to criticise
the work of this board, yet, am inclined to be-
ieve that when properly conducted, it is of
much Importance to the people of the state
The governor gives interesting sta
tistScs concerning the state historical
society, the horticultural society and
the state library. and urges the needed
appropriation Tor these institutions.
Continuing, he says:
About Irrigation.
few years ago the people of the western .
part OF the state became interested in the sub
Ject OF irrigation, and the cry OF ''irrigate OF
emigrate' was used by those who believed that
the salvation of that portion of the state de-
pended upon the success failure OF irriga-
ton. Two years ago a board of irrigation was
established by the legislature, and an appropri-s
alton was made for the purpose of experiment
ing along the line OF irrigation from wells If
there have been any results obtained that
would justify the outlay OF the appropriation,
have not been informed to what they were
People from the western part Of the state. in
the question OF whether irrigation from this
source can be made success not Some go
so far as to say that it is failure and q delu-
sion; others say that continuation Of the ex-
periments ought to be made in order to give
q fair trial
The governor recommends that the
forestry stations and the silk station
be abolished He then continues:
Live Stock Sanitary Commission.
In my judgment one of the most important
not the most important industry OF our state IL
our cattle interests The Kansas live stock
sanitary commission came into existence for .
the express purpose of seeing that our quaran-
tine lines were respected and that no contagious
diseases should be brought into the state by
the shipment of cattle from other points be-
iieve that it has done efficient work during the
last two years would ask OF the legislature
that the needs of this important board be at
tended TO, to the end that may have q feel
ing of security amongst those who are inter
eSted in this great industry. The statistics
show that Kansas is forging ahead as cattle
raising state. In western Kansas especially.
the finest cattle and beef are produced at a
nominal COST and predict that in a few years
the western part OF the state viii enjoy an ex-
tensive development of this business
State Grain Inspection.
There is erroneous impression among the
people of this state that the state supervises
the weighing and inspection of grain The fact
is that the deputy inspectors who really in
Spect the grain, and the weigherS, owe their 2p-
pointment to and receive their appointment
from boards of trade and the receivers Of the
grain II the people shall be protected in this
matter, and they should be. ii is absolutely
that the Eeighers and inspectors
should not owe their appointment to any power
but the state
Consolidation OF Boards
I would recommend that the law governing
the appointment OF the penitentiary board be
SO amended that it can also supervise and con-
troll, in addition to the penitentiary at Lansing,
the Hutchinson reformatory, and, If not abol-
ished. the reform school for boys at Topeka
the penal institutions under the charge Of the
board OF directors for penal institutions, and
all OF the charitable institutions under the SUI
pervision Of the state board of charities
As Insurance.
Year by year the people of this state pay to
foreign and interstate insurance companies. life
and fire. large sums OF money premiums for
insurance In several instances companies
that have done large business in the state