Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-01-13
the danger with which they would in a few

To provide schools for their education bring
them under heaithful, moral and physical
restraint and find for them good homes where
they would be reared in safety would be
economic measure, and even on the low plane
OF seifishness il is worthy of attention. for be-
lieEe we could more than save in the expense
OF maintaining our prisons and reformatories,
what 1t would cos to maintain a school for the
care of our dependent and neglected children
until they could be p ced in suitable homes.
The stream of lawlessress is very strong.
We may not stop the flow. but IL We are wise
we can direct the current / wdald suggest
that authority be given tn 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 - 0OI. that they
may work out plan to be submitted to the
next Iegfs allure 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
chnois 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 a reasonable price: some defects have
been diScoyere which can easily be remedied,
but all the advantages obtained should be pre-
served We should have not only uniform
series of books in our schools, but as
far as practic lble unif ,rm course of
study. The advantages OF such uniformity
are apparent. The administration of our high
er institutions of learning has been the subject
OF some critici sm- Radical changes have been
made in some OF these Institutions. that
they no longer serve the purpose OF their crea-
ton. In others salaries have been reduced II
we maintain colleg IS at all we should have the
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 TIL cutting down of the
salaries OF efficient teal hers below a reason :
able limit is one instance where economy
would be waste
lndu-lriaI School for Negroes.
One of the more recent movements In the
state is the attempt to establish in iuStrial
schools at Quindaro in the interest of the negro.
Tao school AT Qulndaro is und r the supervi-
sion OF Rev. w. T. Vernon. q gentleman of cul-
ture. who is fully devoted to the uplifting of
his race II within the limits OF the constitu
rion. would suggest that the Quindaro move
ment be given aid and encouragement by the
state.
The Railroad Question.
For years there have been unfriendly rela-
lions existing between the railroads and the
people of this state. during which time the
railroad question has been the source OF AMI
mated discussion. someli mes resulting in bitter
antagonism In the earlier history of Kansas
this condition did not exist As settlement
pushed westward from the eastern border the
necessity for means OF transportation was so
great that e9unties. townships and cities gave
large subsidies to encourage the building OF
railroads The people giving this aid ex-
new additional lines of railway
would in some degree compensate
for the self-imposad burden which the gram
ing Of aid created The railroad companies
responded to this friendly assistance and be-
came efficient agencies in the settlement and
development of the country They made
lavish expenditures in advertising the
sources of the state and special Ell Jrts to
courage immigration. They entered into a
generous rivalry with other interests in the
work of making Kansas great state This
friendly cooperation produced great results.
and soon our advantages were we'll ad-
vertised that Kansas attracted much attention
and thousands of homeseekers found their
way to this western Mecca
The railroads have always borne their full
share OF the public burdens The last available
data shows that they pay-iu the way OF taxes
more than the entire personal property of the
state and one third much entire tax
able lands In addition to all this, the opera
tion OF the railroads in the state furnishes en-
ployment to about 81. 600 mployes and pays out
in the way of salaries and wages about 15.0N.-
QUO annually 1t seems strange that agencies
which have done much for the state. are
now bearing such q large part of its burdens
and furnishing employm ent to so many of its
| laoorerss should be met by the people in a
spirit Of unfriendi ness if not of hostility; yet
IL is apparent that such a spirit exists.
The causes for this condition are numerous
On the one hand. the political demagogue has
been constant in season and out of season, in
melting the people against the railroads. that
he might gain personal or political ADVANTAGE
On the other hand. the railroad manag .ment
has afforded ample ground for the discomfort
| which exists 1t can hardly be hoped that
there will be a re-establiShment of the old
time relations of cordially and good will while
those reasons remain
The railroad companies have large sums <n-
vested in Kansas and should be allowed to
realize q reasonable profit the amount in
vested. The people of the state are too fair
minded tn so limit the rate Of TRANSFORMATION
| over railroad lines as to cripple the companies
prevent them from realizing reasonable in
come on their capital, or from paying TO the
great army OF laboring men they employ, good
wages They believe however. that the rail-
roads have Disseminated against Kansas COM
muuities and out of this beief0 has grown
much of the feeling of dissatisfaction which
now prevails
Laws passed in the heated discussion of
partisan controversy are often defective, some
times unconstitutional Remedies through
the courts are generally tedious and expensive,
and frequently mad quate to meet the case.
and especially is this true where the diScr m
nations are made in matters of interstate COM
| merce. and consequently. matters over with
our local courts have no control But in all
matters of state commerce the state has very
great powers of regulation and control. The
benefits and obligations accruing to and resting
upon the state and the railroads are dependent
and mutual Each desires the largest advan-
tave poSSibl consistent with the rights of the
other, and however and Whenever the differ
ence is adjusted it must be done on the basis
| of the reciprocal rights of parties
The new law-just passed at the special ses-
sion-is entitled to fair trial. II called into
use for the purpose OF enforcing rights or re-
dressing wrongs it is hoped that its provisions
may be ample but I would expect better re-
| suits IL an honest attempt should be made to
adjust matters alon2 friendly lines, legal meth
| DDS being resorted to only when friendly meth
DDS fail. I am satisfied that the people are
| fair and will meet the railroad companies half
way. II the managers OF the railroad compa-
| mics are willing to have an equitable ADJUST
ment of the difficulties which exist have no
doubt that the representatives of the people
will be equally willing to meet them on a basis
| of fairness. and think we could accomplish in
two years of effort in this direction. more than
we hay. accomplished in q decade of strife and