The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-10

essary for their support, too great to bs
placed at the disposal of political free
hooters. Efficiency, rather than party
service, should be the test of fitness for
appointment to responsible positions in
connection with the management of our
charitable and penal institutions, and
drunkenness. vllgarity and profanity
should be a bar to such appointment
and sufficient ground for dismissal,
made so by law.
1t shall be one of the objects of my
administration to secure for our public
institutions the highest degree Of hon
esty and capability in their manage
ment, and to give to the wards of the
state such sympathy and care as their
unfortunate condition demands.
PRISON REFORM.
The management of the penitentiary
has for years been a subject of much
difference of opinion. Two theories
have had their advocates: One, that
the penitentiary should be a place for
the punishment of criminals, and that
it's management should only have in
view the Safe-keeping of those Sentenc-
ed to confinement at the minimum cost;
the other, that the reformation of the
convicts should be the chief object to be
attained, and while economy is an i'm
portant consideration, it is not the pr1-
mary aim of prison management. We
have been proceeding largely upon the
first theory, and have looked upon the
balance sheet at the end of each year
as furnishing proof of the success or
failure of the conduct of this institu-
ton.
In my Judgment the cost of conduct
ing our prisons is of great, but not Of
first Importance. The good of the con-
Victs, their continual betterment, and
their ultimate reformation, Should be
the principal aim of the administration
of our penal institutions.
Some system of promotion and change
of employment ending in parole and
discharge-aI as a reward for merit
could be inaugurated, that would set
before the convict the possibility or
earning his own promotion and final re-
lease and, from the moment of enter
ing prison, furnish him an incentive for
obedience, faithfulness and attention to
confidence of those having him in
charge and his ultimate restoration to
the ranks of good citizens.
The brand of disgrace should not al
ways attach to a person convicted of
crime, and the state should be the first
in affording means and opportunities
for the convict to regain at 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 Sdea has
resulted in the establishment of our
reformatory, reform and industrial
schools, and at these institutions this
velopment. Here punishment should be
minimized and reformation reach its
fullest development. Intelligent and hui
name persons should be put in charge
and given every opportunity to work
out the highest good of those entrusted
to their care, and ample facilities should
be afforded for that purpose.
DEPENDENT AND NEGLECTED
CHILDREN.
The best our prisons and reform
atories can do 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 prevent
the disease.
There are many who believe that in
the solution of the whole question OF
the treatment of our lawleSS classes
IAN ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure,'' and along this line some
states have organized schools for the
care and education of dependent and
neglected children, with very satisfac-
tory results, so far as have been able
to ascertain.
In many communities in this state
there are children dependent upon the
public who are so neglected and all
treated as to endanger both their health
and morals, and from these classes are
largely recruited our pauperS and oul
criminals.
To protect such children from neglect
and vice is to protect the state from
the danger with which they would IN g
few years threaten it.
1t is much easier to prevent a criminal
than to reform one; easier to preserve
a pure fountain than to cleanse a pol
luted stream.
Wisdom would suggest that the in
crease of the criminal classes should be
prevented, and no surer way can be
suggested than by removing ourneglect-
ed children from the surroundings Wh1cE
would almost surely lead them into
crime.
To provide schools for their education
bring them under healthful moral and
physical restraint and find for them
good homes where they would be rear
ed in safety would be an economic
measure, and even on the low plane OF
selfishness it is worthy of attention, fol
L believe we could more than save in
the expense of maintaining our prisons
and reformatories, what it would cost
to maintain a school for the care of oul
dependent and neglected children unit
they could be placed in suitable homes
The solution of the question of the
prevention and treatment of crime is
difficult. 1t could be only commenced
during one administration. 1t could not
be completed during many. 1t could
never be completed at all if the manage
ment of our prisons and reformatories
is to be given over to politicians as {
reward for party services.
The stream of lawlessness is very
strong. We may not stop the flow, bu
| if we are wise we can direct the current
1 would suggest that authority be
given the executive to call to his as
sistance two competent persons whC
have given attention to the subject o
prison reform, at an expense of not tt
exceed s., 900, that they may work out {
plan to be submitted to the next legis
| lature for approval, the administrator
| in the meantime working out such re
| formation as is possible within the linn
| itations of the law now in force.
| SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
Our common schools have long beer
| the pride of the state, and their presen
| condition is marked by high degrees
of efficiency.
The last administration is entitled t.
| much credit for making provisions 70
supplying our school books at a reason
| able price; some defects have been dis
| covered which can be easily remedied
| but all the advantages obtained ShOull