The advocate., 1897-01-20

competence upon itS management or employees,
but from the fact that II Is impossible TO reform
boys In idlenesS. I am informed that, when
this school was established, the object sought
was TO take the erring boys and lead them to a
better and higher life. In order TO do this they
should be taught trades and made useful citi-
zens. For some reason unknown TO me, tho
legislature has failed TO make appropriations
for buildings and mechanical apparatus for car
rying out this idea. / recommend to the legts-
lature that II Is thought impracticable to fur
nish apparatus suitable for teaching them
trades, that additional appropriations be made
for the Hutchinson reformatOry and that the
boys be removed there where they can have
the influence brought upon them that will lead
them In the right line In case you should see
At and proper to do this, the reform school
building could be used for additional room for
the insane.
State RefOrmatOry at Hutchinson.
The reformatory ut Hutchinson, established
by the legislature In 1895, was made ready for
occupancy In 1895, and opened with 30 Of the
least hardened criminals from our state peni-
tentiary. The report Of the board and my
knowledge Of the institution lead me to believe
that IL has proven o success and is solving the
question Of what to do with young criminals
who are started on q career OF crime In con-
nection with the institution is farm Of $40
acres which, / am informed, has produced
about IL, 900 bushels Of corn this year, In addi-
tion to large amount OF vegetables
for use in the institution in return for the work
Of the boys. A tailoring department and shoe
factory are 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-
oiof M the hni1dnU
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
q 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 to erring boys, this
does the same for wayward girls. The superln-
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 our 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 Office have not
| only received concentrations from the press Of
the state, but have been accepted as good au-
thority on certain matters in our sister states.
AS large portion Of our citizens are interested
| in agriculture, 1 deem 1t 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, and
along the different lines which bring success to
the men engaged In this calling.
The last report Of the secretary can be found
at his Office, and has not been mailed out to the
| people Of the state on account OF no apprOpria-
| ton for postage. This matter will be called to
| your attention early in the session, and have
no doubt you will promptly attend to It,
would recommend that the suggestion made be
fairly investigated and carried out by your hon
Orable body.
Board of Public Works.
MY predecessor, in his message to the legis-
| lature two years ago, recommended the abolish
! ment of the board Of public works. The senate,
| upon this recommendation, made no appropria-
| tion for it's maintenance. The law, however,
was not repealed. This is a matter which
| will lleave entirely to your judgment l cannot
refrain, however, from saying that l 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 some people are prone to crticise
the work of this board, yet am inclined TO be-
neye that when properly conducted, 1t is OF
much Importance to the people Of the state.
The governor gives interesting sta
tistics concerning the state historical
society, the horticultural society and
the state library, and urges the needed
appropriation for these institutions.
| Continuing. he saws: