The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-11

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hdence of those having him in charge ana nj;
ultimate restoration to the ranks OF good citi-
Gems
The brand Of disgrace should not always at
tach TO a person convicted Of crime, and the
state should be the first in aIoTding means and
opportunities for the convict 70 regain ut least
a measure of the confidence which he has lost
Punishment is often necessary, but always
harsh. IAN eye for an eye was the doctrine
Of the old dispensation, but in these latter and
better days the old things are passing away.
The growth Of this reform idea has resulted in
the establishment of our reformatories, reform
and industrial schools, and at these institutions
this idea has had a sort of imperfect develop
ment. Here punishment should be minimized
and reformation reach its fullest development
Intelligent and humane persons should be put
In charge and given every opportunity to work
put the highest good Of those entrusted TO their
rare and ample facilities should be afforded
Tor that purpose.
Dependent and Neglected Children.
The best our prisons and reformatories can
20 IS to take those upon whom the disease OF
vice has fastened itself and effect cure; no
steps have yet been taken In this state TO pre-
rent the disease There are many who believe
that in the solution Of the whole question OF
the treatment Of our Iagless classes AN ounce
Of prevention Is worth pound Of cure" and
along this line some states have organized
schools for the care and education OF depend
nnt and neglected children with very satisfac-
tory results, so far as have been able to aScer-
lain In many communities in this state there
IRE children dependent upon the public Who
ere so neglected and ill-treated as to endangeF
both their health and morals, and from these
and
Dur criminals. To protect such children from
neglect and vice is to protect the state from
the danger with which they would In few
years threaten it
To provide schools for their education. bring
them under healthful, moral and physical
restraint and find for them good homes where
they would be reared in safety would be an
economic measure, and even on the low plane
of selfshness it is worthy of attention, for be
lieve we could more than save in the expense
OF maintaining our prisons and reformatorles,
what it would cost to maintain a school for the
care Of our dependent and neglected children
until they could be placed in suitable homes.
The stream Of lawIessneSs is very strong
We may not stop the flow but if we are wise
we can direct the current I would suggest
that authority be given the executive to call TO
his assistance two competent persons who have
given attention to the subject OF prison reform
at an expense Of not to exceed 81 GO0, that they
may work out plan to be submitted TO the
next legislature for approval, the administra-
ton IN the meantime working out such refor'
nation as is possible within the limitations OF
the law now in force.
schools and Colleges.
Our common schools have long been the
pride Of the state and their present condition
IS marked by high degree OF efficiency The
last administration is entitled to much credit
for making provision for supplying our school
books at reasonable price; some defects have
been discovered which can easily be remedied,
but all the advantages obtained should be pre-
served We should have not only a uniform
series Of books in our schools, but as
lar as practicable a uniform course OF
study The advantages Of such uniformity !
are apparent The administration OF our high !
er Institutions Of learning has been the subjeci |
OF some criticism. Radical changes have been /
made in some of these institutions, so that |
they no longer serve the purpose OF their crea- /
tioD. In others salaries have been reduced. L |
we maintain colleges at all we should have the 4
best, and should conduct them along the lines |
of work for which they were created II We ex. /
pect TO have the best colleges we must have |
the best teachers, and the best teachers com.
mand good salaries The cutting down Of the |
salaries of efficient teachers below a reason. /
would be waste
Industrial School for Negroes
One OF the more recent movements IN tn, |
state is the attempt to establish industrial /
schools at Quindaro in the interest of the negro /
Tho school at Quindaro is under the superyi. |
sion of Rev w. r. Vernon, a gentleman Of Gull
ture, who is fully devoted to the uplifting o,
his race. II within the limits Of tbs constitu.
ton, would suggest that the Quindaro move.
ment be given aid and encouragement by tht |
state
The Railroad Question.
For years there have been unfriendiy rela. |
tiOns existing between the railroads and tbs !
people OF this state, during which time thu |
railroad question has been the source OF ami.
mated discussion, sometimes resulting in bitter |
Rntagonism In the earlier history of Kansa,
this condition did not exist AS settlement
pushed westward from the eastern border the
for means Of transportation was Sc
great that counties townships and cities gave
large subsidies to encourage the building Of |
The people giving this aid ex.
pected that the advantages afforded b.
new or additional lines Of railway
would in some degree conpeusats
for the self-imposed burden which the grant,
ing OF aid created The railroad companies
to this friendly assistance and be.
came efficient agencies in the settlement anc
Development OF the country. They made
lavish expenditures in advertising the re-
sources OF the state and special efforts to en-.
courage immigration They entered into
generous rivalry with other interests in the
work OF making Kansas a great state. This
friendly cooperation produced great results,
and soon our advantages were so well al.
Eertised that Kansas attracted much attention
and thousands OF homeseekeTs found their
way to this western Mecca
The railroads have always borne their full
'hare Of the public burdens The last available
iata shows that they pay-in the way of taxes
mn
tate and one-third as much as our entire tax.
IDLE lands In addition to all this, the opera
ion OF the railroads in the state furnishes en-.
Iloyment 10 about 50, 600 employees and pays out
4 the way Of salaries and wages, about as co.,,
10 annually. 1t seems strange that agencies
which have done 50 much for the state, are
low bearing such large part OF its burdens
nd furnishing employment to so many Of its
aborers, should be met by the people in
pirit of unfriendliness, if not of hostility; YET
I is apparent that such a spirit exists
The causes for this condition are numerous
IN the one hand, the political demagogue has
zen constant in season and out OF season, il
netting the people against the railroads thai
Ie might gain personal or political advantage
IN the other hand, the railroad management
AS afforded ample ground for the discomfort
which exists II can hardly be hoped that
here viii be re-esta5lishment OF the old
line relations Of cordiality and good viii while
hose reasons remain.
The railroad companies have large sums in.
ested IN Kansas and should be allowed "a
ealize a reasonable profit on the amount in
eSted The people Of the state are too fan
minded to so limit the rate OF transportation
yer railroad lines as To cripple thescompanies.
revent them from realizing reasonable in
ONE on their capital, or from paying TO the
reat army OF laboring men they employ, good
RACES They believe however that the rail.
Dads have Disseminated against Kansas com
lunities and out Of this belief has grown
luch Of the feeling OF dissatisfaction which
ow prevails
Laws passed in the heated discussion ~