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

would be pleased to cooperate with You
along these lines in order to more fully protect
our unfortunateS than under the present law
| where the board of charities goes specified
| date TO visit these institutions. and has no
chance to obtain knowledge to the exact
conditions of the inmates when not present,
| and the treatment accorded them by the EN-.
| ployeS of the institution.
| have been handed the tenth biennial report
u{ the board of trustees of the charitable insti-
| tutiOnS, which, in addition to the Information
| have already received, gives me the basis for
| the recommendations which I shall make for
| the different institutions; however, there are
several Of them, and their wants are many. It
q custom for the committees of the two
| iouses on penal and charitable institutions to
risit, during the session of the legislature, the
| Gderent state institutions and report their
| conditions and wants to their respective bodies,
md would esteem it favor if any suggestions
hey might see proper to make to the two
| houses, be also made to me, for, of all the re-
possibilities I am charged with by the suf-
rage of the people of this state none appeals
more deeply to me than the welfare OF the 14>
mates of these institutions.
Insane Asylum at Osawatomie.
At the last session OF the legislature, appro-
,riations were made for the rebuilding of the
'.ntral building at this institution, erection OF
boiler house, electric light plant, and several
minor improvements. These improvements
nave all been made, yet. from the reports OF
;he superintendent of this institution. find
that there are several matters that need your
consideration The principal is, that the
property has sustained serious damage which
| demands repairs, and unless these are accom-
3liShed at the earliest possible moment great
injury Will be done the institution. Not having
| lad opportunity to visit and make a personal
examination of this matter l. would call the
attention of your committees who visit the diff
erent state institutions to this report. 1t would
lot only be neglectful, but an unsourd
business policy to allow any of our state
Institutions to be ruined by the elements
IN account of not taking proper precautions for
| 1,oir &c o1., 81,
aundry building be given the institution. One
If the strongest pleas is that the present laun-
Try building is detrimental to the health of the
institution, owing to its lack of sanitary
:angements. It is said to be standing menace,
constantly increasing the risk of the inStitu-
lion being destroyed by fire. Several times
Turing the last few years the public mind and
conscience have been disturbed by awful
ports of the burning of institutions of this kind
Often the helpless inmates were cremated, and
horrible scenes have been enacted. believe it
,ur duty to do al in our power to protect our
state institutions from the elements, and II
1pon investigation the complaints made are
Talid believe it would be proper and right to
grant the request. While pledged to
economy, not pledged to that economy
which risks not alone the states property, but
he lives of our fellow-OeingS. This institution,
ike the Topeka insane asylum is overcrowded,
Ind every possible means should be employed
20 give additional room for those who at
present unable to gain adnittance.
Insane Asylum at Topeka.
1t is a noteworthy and larnentable fact that
he percentage of the insane people, compared
with natural growth, is increasing. and
hat the accommodations we have to-day for
heir and maintenance are inadequate to
the demand made by the people OF the state on
these institutions. One of the largest appropri-
atoms that will have to be made by the present
legislature is for the care of the destitute in
sane over the state, who could not be accommo-
lated at the Topeka and OSawatomie asyluIns.
It is not alone the extra cost of keeping these
fho
cost of keeping them at the asylum, that enters
into the argument for more room at these insti-
buttons. It is impossible 10 give them the
same good care in their respective
counties at an institution which is peculiarly
lifted for their reception and maintenance. In
many cases insane people are kept in the
county poor house, and in some cases
In the county Jail The reports
of institutions of this kind bear me out in say
ing that large per cent, if placed where they
have proper medical attendance and pleasant
environment, recover their reason. Not so
large per cent. recover when isolated or con-
fined with criminals. Hence it is not only
matter of economy, but matter of humanity
and right that should give additional room
at our state institutions for the Of this
class of people. For the present, believe that
the asylums at Topeka and OSawatoInie should
be completed in accordance with the specifca-
tions of the architect who formulated the plans
for their building, but it is evident that in the
near future another institution will have to be
established. However, I am of the opinion that
if the two asylums we now have were COM
pleted can tide over until the next session |
of the legislature. It might be well to make |
arrangements for the future looking to the
building of another institution of that kind, |
that if the occasion demands it, at this mex;
session of the legislature appropriations could
be made and the buildings completed as quick |
ly aS the circumstances and conditions demand
Asylum for Idiotic at Winfield.
According to the report of the Superin tcndent
there are III pupils at present in this institu-
- 1l@io 80 %I4 to- to-
for those who through accident or from birth
have been deprived of the faculties that make |
manhood and womanhood pleasant and useful, |
not only to themselves, but to society and civil
ization. There is no more worthy institution
In the state than this. and, while it is in great
measure hoping against hope to attempt to
bring them up to standard which will make
them useful citizens, yet this is not valid
why efforts should be abated why we
should fail to do our whole duty in their care
and maintenance and education.
Soldiers Orphans Home at Atchison.
This institution founded and endowed for
che purpose of caring for the orphan children OF
the veterans of our civil war, but years have
rolled by since that event, and the orphans OF |
the soldiers have in most instances become cit
liens and capable of caring for themselves.
Since that time, however, the doors have been
opened to the orphan children of the state who
needy and who were looked upon by society
waits. It is very pleasing to citizen OF the
state these found1ings placed in institu-
ton where they enjoy, in measure, ali
that goes to make home happy, instead of being
in poor house The report shows that since
the opening OF the home, 329 children have en-
loyed Its benefits Isl OF whom have been re-
tore T.. thor of rautS r0lo VuhC