Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-01-14


different state institutions and report their
conditions and wants 70 their respective bodies,
and would esteem II q favor II any suggestions
they might soc proper TO make 10 the two
houses, bo also made TO me, for, OF oil the re-
sponsibillties / am charged with by the suf-
frage OF the people OF this state, none appeals
more deeply 10 me than the welfare of the In
mates OF these institutions
Insane Asylum at Osawatomie.
At the last session OF the legislature, appro-
priations were made for the rebuilding OF the
central building at this institution, erection OF
boiler house, electric light plant, and several
minor improvements These improvements
have All been made, yet, from the reports Of
the superintendent Of this institution, find
that there nre several matters that need your
consideration. The principal one Is, thut the
property has sustained serious damage which
demands repairs, and unless these are accom-
plished at the earliest possible moment great
injury will be done the institution. Not having
had an opportunity to visit and make personal
examination OF this matter, / would call the
attention OF your committees who visit the diff
ferent state institutions to this report IL would
not only be neglectful, but an unsound
business policy TO allow any Of our state
institutions 10 be ruined by the elements
on account OF not taking proper precautions for
their preservation. II IL also asked that new
laundry building be given the institution. One
OF the strongest pleas Is that the present laun-
dry building Is detrimental TO the health or the
institution, owing to Its lack OF sanitary ar
rangements. II Is said to be n standing menace,
constantly increasing the risk OF the institu-
ton being destroyed by fire Several times
during the last few years the public mind and
conscience have been disturbed by awful re-
ports OF the burning OF institutions Of this kind.
Often the helpless inmates were cremated, and
horrible scenes have been enacted, believe 1t
our duty TO do all In our power TO protect our
state institutions from the elements, and II
upon investigation the complaints made are
valid believe II would be proper and right to
grant the request. While we are pledged to
economy, we are not pledged TO that economy
which risks not alone the states property, but
the lives OF our fellow-bengs This institution,
like the Topeka insane asylum, Is overcrowded,
and every possible means should be employed
to give additional room for those who are ut
present unable to gain admittance.
Insane Asylum at Topeka.
It is noteworthy and lamentable. fact that
the percentage Of the insane people, compared
with our natural growth, is increasing, and
that the accommodations we have to-day for
their care 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-
dated at the Topeka and Osawatomie aSylums.
II Is not alone the extra cost OF keeping these
unfortunate people at home, compared with the
cost OF keeping them ut the asylum, that enters
into the argument for more room at these insti-
tutions. It is impossible to give them the
same care or as good care in their respective
counties as Mt an institution which is peculiarly
fitted 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 q per cent. recover when isolated or con-
fined with criminals, Hence, II Is not only q
matter of economy, but a matter Of humanity
and right that we should give additional room
ut our state institutions for the care of this
class Of people. For the present believe that
the asylums at Topeka and OSnwatomie 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, l am of the opinion that
II the two asylums we now have were COM
peted we can tide over until the next session
OF the legislature. II might be well to make
arrangements for the future looking to the
| building OF another institution of that kind,
so that II the occasion demands 1t, at the next
session Of the Legislature appropriations could
be made and the buildings completed rs quick
ly as the circumstances and conditions demand
Asylum for IdiOtic at Winfield.
According to the report OF the superintendent
there are III pupils at present in this institu-
ton. The object of the institution is to care
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
lizatlon. There Nv no more worthy institution
In the state than this, and, while 1t Is IN great
measure hoping against hope TO attempt to
| bring them up to u standard which will make
them useful citizens. yet this is not a valid Pea
son why our efforts should be abated or why we
should fail to do our whole duty in their care
and maintenance and education
Soldiers Orphans Home at AtcbisOn,
This institution was founded and endowed for
the 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
! izens and capable of caring for themselves,
Since that time, however the doors have been
opened to the orphan children Of the state who
are needy and who were looked upon by society
as waits 1t is very pleasing TO citizen Of the
state to see these foundings placed In an institu-
ton where they can enjoy, in measure, all
that goes to make home happy, instead of being
| in o poor house. The report shows that since
the opening Of the home, 800 children have en-
joyed its benefits, l5 Of whom have been re-
stored to the care of parents or relatives who
have recovered their ability to provide for
them. Any reasonable demand made by this
institution should receive attention. to the end
! that throughout the borders of our great state,
no child be allowed to suffer from hunger or the
need OF FRiment
Soldiers Home at Dodge City.
This home has been established and main
! tanned for years for the care and enjoyment Of
the INDECENT soldiers OF our civil war. Its board
has been established and kept separate from
that OF all of the other institutions Of this state.
would recommend that this policy be con-
tinued, In order that those who risked their
lives in their countVy's defense may have the
advantage of the best treatment possible from
our people Kansas is known az the great
soldier state Of the union, and, while we have
within our borders national home the state
home ut Dodge City is q matter OF pride to the
citizens OF our state. Any reasonable request
that may be made for this institution should be
granted. In few years the men who now in
habit the home will have passed oyer into the
unknown, and anything we might do W tbs
present, unthinkingly, In the interest Of
economy. which we feel at this time, might be