Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-01-10


both. In case OF the creation Of a single
board would suggest that not more than
two members be selected from the same
political party
The State Soldiers Home.
The state soldiers home was intended
to afford home to the soldiers and sail
org of the civil war when they were no
longer able to provide for themselves.
This was In accord with the patriotic
sentiment that no survivor OF the civil
war VINO, In the days OF his strength gave
himself to his countrys service in the de-
tense Of her institutions. should remain
uncared for In his hour OF need. The
number demanding admission to the
soldiers home Is increasing rapidly, and
during the last two years many who
ought to have been admitted have teen
turned away. because sufficient provision
had not been made for their accommoda.
ton. Those now In the home are We'll
fed and well cared for. The board of
managers suggest an increased appTo-
priation for the purpose Of erecting ad-
ditional cottages to supply the increas-
Ing demands upon that institution, anu
l recommend that their request be
granted A few years more will mark
the discharge Of the last OF these sacred
obligations. but while they last the
state can make no wiser use Of Its means
than to amply provide for the survivors
Of the civil war.
Needed Railroad Legislation.
The law creating the court of vista
ton" having been declared uncOnstitu-
ti0nal. and the act relating to the board
OF railroad commissioners having been
repealed, 1t remains for the present leg
stature to enact law creating board
with all the powers possible within the
limits Of the constitution enabling It to
adjust rates Of transportation within
the state and to settle and adjust all DIFF
ferences arising between the railroads
and shippers, and such other questions
as may from time to time arise In the
operation OF the railroads as common
carriers and their relation as such to the
people.
GOOD Words for Insurance Department.
The insurance department Is in most ex-
cellent condition. For two years the bust
ness OF that department has been con-
quoted on business principles, and there
has been paid into the state treasury
from this source larger sum than at any
previous time for like period. The rate
OF premiums has been decreased so that
In the aggregate there has been saved to
the policy-h0lders of the state during the
lncumbency of the present superintendent,
bv this decrease alone, more than $780,
WO. The amount of taxes and fees from
companies. doing business In the state re-
ceived during the incumbency of the pres
ent superintendent will be $25O,O0O. The
law relating to the examination of In
surance companies Is uncertain, and the
power given to the superintendent In max
Ing examinations, arbitrary. The present
superintendent recommends modification
Of that law, and most heartily join In
his recommendation.
Thinks Fire Marshal Is Needed.
A number of fires throughout the coun-
try are the work Of incendiaries. 1t Is
Important that reasonable measures be
taken to prevent such fires. The people are
Interested In protective measures, as such
fires often occur In business portions Of
town or city, and are easily commune
Gated to other buildings. The insurance
companies are Interested, as every loss
from fire upon an insured stock or build
Ing, Is a loss to the companies carrying
the risk. A state fire marshal, whose du-
ties 1t would be to trace the origin of
fires, and, In case Of incendlarism, be
charged with the prosecution of the guilty
persons, ought to do much to diminish
the loss from this source
Coal OIL Inspection.
AT the last session of the legislature an
act relating to the inspection of oils was
passed, which was crude and imperfect
In Its provisions but contained many ad-
vantages over the old law, and provided
also for the inspection Of gasoline. This
act also provides for test of the safety
rather than the quality of oil inspected,
and oil may pass the requisite test, al
though. Of very poor quality. The re-
celpts for the inspection Of oils have been
In excess Of the expenditures of the de-
partment. and the surplus of such re-
ceipts for the term Of the present In
spector, will be more than $4,000. The
Inspector recommends that II the present
local inspectors are continued, the num-
Der of general deputies may be reduced
to two-pOssibly one. concur In this
recommendation. would also suggest
that the law be amended to provide for
quality as well as safety test.
Recommendations Of Bank Commissioner.
The report Of the bank commissioner
shows that the state banks are In pros
porous condition, that during the last
two years, there has been an Increase In
the capital and surplus Of more than
I500 900, and In the deposits Of more than
100000. Our principal industries being
agriculture and stock raising, 1t Is
source Of qualification to know that
more than one-half of the depositors In
our state banks are farmers and stock
men, and that more than half of the de-
posits In such banks are made by these
ton Is called to the many valuable sug-
gestions which the commissioner makes
In his report.
There seems to be pronounced diff
ference between the commissioner and
number Of state bankers as to the ad-
visibility of limiting the total invest
ments Of bank to four times its capt.
tai and surplus. Many Of our state
bankers insist that this rule works
hardship to the state banks having large
deposits in proportion to their capital
stock, and gives national banks, similar
ly situated advantages of which the
state banks are deprived. The commits
sioner, while admitting that 1t works a
hardship in some cases seems to think
this rule q wise one. | trust the legis-
lature will give careful consideration to
this question 1t might be well to give
to our state banks all of the advantages
enjoyed by the national banks, If 1t can
be done without in any way endangering
the safety Of the banks or the security OF
the depostors; but, 1t should always be
DUTIt Ill IllIIlu that tIC uIipli
asts TO be conserved are such safety and
stcu--s
! recommend the passage Of uniform
negotiable instrument law.
Disposition OF State Funds.
In my last message recommended that
the surplus state funds be deposited in
banks offering ample security and the
largest rate of interest Private interests
succeeded in defeating the passage Of
such a law The recommendation Is now
renewed. The state treasurer In his re-
port suggests that the present law pro-
viding for collection repositories could
be made more satisfactory to the people
generally by an amendment permitting
the appointment Of collection agents from
any Of the banks OF Kansas, instead of
limiting such appointments to the banks
Of Topeka, and that he would cheerfully
administer such law. He also suggests
that reasonable use Of the states money
could be made source of profit to the
state by interest on the daily balances.
For One Live Stock Inspector.
The live stock Industry is one of the
great and growing industries of the state,
second only to that of agriculture. The
value of animals slaughtered or sold for
slaugnler in the state In 1899 was S0,5Si,-
900; In 1900, $5i.322,O00. The number Of
head of live stock In the state In 1900 was
S5ls,6i2, of the value Of sl43 900. While
other interests have been protected an
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