The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-01-13

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The brand Of disgrace should not always at
tach to q person convicted of crime. and the
state should be the first In afiording means and
opportunities for the convict TO regain 1t least
q 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 sort Of imperfect develop
ment Here punishment should be mtnimtzed
and reformation reach its fullest development
Intelligent and humane 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.
Dependents aud Neglected Children.
The best our prisons and reformatories can
do is to take those upon whom the disease OF
vice has fastened itself and effect q cure; no
steps have yet been taken In this state to pre-
vent the disease There are many who believe
that in the solution of the whole question Of
of prevention Is worth q pound of cure" and
along this line some states have organized
schools for the care and education OF depend
ent and neglected children. with very satisfac-
tory results, so far as have been able to ascer-
tain. In many communities In this state there
children dependent upon the public who
are so neglected and ill-treated as to endanger
both their health and morals. and from these
classes are largely recruited our paupers and
our criminals. To protect such children from
neglect and vice Is to protect the state from
the danger with which they would in q 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
m rIQnQ
OF selfishness it is worthy Of attention for be-
lieve we could more than save in the expense
OF maintaining our prisons and reformatories,
what 1t would cost to maintain a school for the
care of our dependent and neglected children
until 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
cou never be completed at all If the manage
m MT of our prisons and +. formatories is to be
given over to politicians as a reward for party
services.
The stream Of lawlessress is very strong
We may not stop the flow but il wise
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 a2. O0l. that they
may work out a plan to be submitted to the
next legislature for approval. the administra-
nation as is possible within the limitations OF
the law now in force
choois and Colleges
Our common schools have long been the
pride of the state and their present condition
is marked by g. 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 havs
been discovered which can easily be remedied.
but all the advantages obtained should be pre-
served. We should have not only q uniform
series of books in our schools but as
far 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 subject
of some criticism Radical changes have been
made in some of these Institutions, SO that
they no longer serve the purpose of their crea-
tion In others salaries have been reduced. II
we maintain colleg IS at all we should b i've the
best. and should conduct them along the lines
OF work for which they W ere 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 thu
salaries OF efficient teachers below a reason
able limit is one instance where economy
would be waste.
Industrial School for N.groes
One Of the more recent movements in the
state is the attempt to establish Industrial
schools at Quindaro in the interest of the negro
No race ever emerged from slavery, and in so
short time reached such an advanced position
in all the branches OF industrial pursuits as
the colored race in America They have also
made great advances in literature and the arts
The one great need OF the negro to-day Is
progress and development in the things fos-
tered and encouraged by industrial education
Tho school at Quindaro Is und r the supervi-
sion of Rev. w. T. Vernon. q gentleman OF Gull
ture. who is fully devoted to the uplifting of
his race II within the limits Of ths constitu-
tion would suggest that the Quindaro move
ment be given aid and encouragement by the
state.
Tho Railroad Question.
For years there have been unfriendly rela-
tions existing between the railroads and the
people OF this state, during which time the
railroad question has been the source of ami
mated discussion, sometimes resulting In bitter
antagonism In the earlier history of Kansas
this condition did not exist As settlement
necessity for means OF transportation was SO
great that counties townships and cities gave
large subsidies to encourage the building of
railroads The people giving this aid ex-
pected that the advantages afforded by
new or additional lines of railway
would in some degree compensate
for the self-tmposed burden which the grant
ing Of aid created. The railroad companies
responded to this friendly assistance and be-
development Of the country. They made
lavish expenditures in advertising the re-
sources OF the state and special Ell )rts to en-
COURAGE immigration They entered into q
generous rivalry with other interests in the
work OF making Kansas q great state. This
friendly cooperation produced great results
and soon our advantages were so well adj
vertised that Kansas attracted much attention
and thousands of homeseekers found their
way to this western Mecca