The Advocate and news., 1898-01-05

LOp6kh r0LOTm SCHOOL OE AJ Lno Ob3r
watomie asylum, where we have plenty
of labor, the supplies for the different
institutions along this line could be fur
nished very che&ply. At every letting
OF the board we buy immense quantities
of canned goods, corn, tomatoes, beans,
and peas, which could be produced at
hardly the expense OF q cent to the taE-
payers of the State, provided we had the
facilities OF canning and making them
ready for consumption. With the spe-
cial qualifications the young people at
Olathe have for trades, there is no quesr
tion In my mind but that all the flTnlA
ture, or nearly all, could be manufac-
tured for the different institutions at
that place. The blind could do a good
harness and shoe business, and there
would bo a saving by cooperation along
these lines. The children at the or
phans' home could raise all the small
fruit, gather 1t and prepare 1t for ship
ment The industrial school for girla.
at Belolt could do It's part along the
line of cooperation by knitting the hos
iery and manufacturing other articles ag
clothing. The boys al the reform school
certainly should learn trades, and the
Legislature has been derilect In its
duty towards these boys by not provid-
ing them with facilities for that purpose.
Under the guidance Of a competent fore
man they could not only be taught
trades, but add much to and supply the
wants OF other institutions. The Win
field institute is located in splendid
wheat. growing country, and could very
Oh, Ahn ~
with flour. There are great many
people at the two insane asylun1s who
are mildly insane and are able and will
ing 10 work. They could produce a great
deal which would be beneficial to other
institutions.
/ am confident that among the eight
institutions named, there is not one but
could contribute along some line by CO.
operation to the support OF the others.
MY observation Is that the healthieBk
and best managed institutions are those
in which the inmates are required to do
a certain amount OF manual labor. To
many this is pleasure. 1t gives them
something to occupy their minds. and
never fails to have a beneficial result.
But few people in the state recognize
the amount of money that ia expended
annually for the care and malntenaneD
of our institutions. AT present there are
two new buildings being erected, one at
Winfield, the other at the Topeka Insane
asylum, which will cost the State when
complete, $4,000 to $4,000. Additional
room was the necessity and additional
room OF course means additional 1n-
mates. An additional number OF IN
mates means a heavier expense to the
taxpayers OF the State, and the end is not
vet. Every session Of the Legislature has
large appropriations TO make for tho
care Of the destitute insane outside Of
our asylums. II public sentiment could
be aroused upon this question and ap-
propriations be made for buildings and
cooperation be complete among tho
different institutions, the expense OF
caring FOR them would be much lighter
upon the taxpayers, and the surround
ings and environments more pleasant
for the inmates. The idea Of co-opera-
Cion in some cases may seem impr&cti-
cable, but in my judgment would 30
found to work Nike charm among the
different institutions OF the State.
On behalf Of the board wish to thank
the Advocate and News for the agitation
Of this question. / also wish to thank
the gentlemen who have taken UP the
subject and hope the question will be
discussed so that when the next Legis-
lature meets appropriations can be made
for putting into effect the ideas adj
vanced. After q careful study OF the
situation for the last six months am
satiafied there ds no other way to bring
expenses lower except by co-operation.
With this conclusion reached Kansas
will start the pace for other States.
Kansas leads, but never follows, and
hope to live to see the day when co.
operation between the different State
institutions of the State Is fixed fact,
and when this rs accomplished, In my
Judgment. It will be a solving Of the