Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-01-18

synopsis:
1 take pleasure in saying that the general
condition of the state is one OF unusual prosper
ity. During the two years just past, the num-
Der of school children has increased from 49),,
$40 to 50S,S ~ we have builded $40 scnooi
houses ut u cost OF more than half million
dollars and now have an attendance in our col
leges and universities OF over 10000. During
the period mentioned the value OF our agrlcul,
tural and live stock interests has increased
from S265 l51, 756 to $50 POD 1J9, and our
bank deposits, from S4+,S+7.255 to SOL ,3os,-
636 1t is exceedingly gratifying 10 Know,
that, Notwithstanding our small increase IN
population during this time the advance OF our
material and educational interests has been at
a rate unknown in the previous history OF the
state
increase in crime, and the number confined In
our penal institutions Is but slightly larger than
II was two years ago. There has been decrease
of our bonded indebtedness of more than
S3,o000O0, and we pay much lower rate OF IN
terest on our public Indebtedness. During the
time mentioned, the people have reduced their
mortgage Indebtedness about SS,ooo'ooo. we
have many reasons to congratulate ourselves
for the condition that has brought to our people
such alarge measure of prosperity
State University.
The educational institutions of the state are
reviewed in detail and their various conditions
are set forth. They all make good showing;
them. OF the state university the message
says: ,,. l..
The increased attendance uJ pne unlNtrSity II
followed by demand for additional room ana
increased facilities. The tniollment Tor tne
year commencing September lo9S was ~;
for the year 1899, !, LOU, and for the year 1000;
promises to be 200. The chancellor ana board
of regents unite in saying that an Increased APP
preparation for the proper maintenance OF the
university will be necessary. They claim that
for years the teaching force has been Wholly
INADEQUATE to the needs of the institution, and
that the increased number OF students makes
the employment OF additional professors ana
preparation for additional buildings.
The separate maintenance OF the university
and Agricultural College, where many OF the
same branches are taught, Is much more eX-
pensive than II they were united, but IL Is now
too late to cure this defect, and we must expect
to meet the increased cost Of their separate
maintenance.
this addti Cnal expense which Will constantly
increase with the growth and development OF
these institutions. No tuition, or other Zee, Is
charged at the University, evidently under the
theory that the university should be tomple-
ton OF our flee school system, and that the ad-
mission OF students to any OF the departments
should not be attended with any charge.
III the theory of free education III our STATE
educational institutions is TO be contnu "a, IL IL
only question OF time until the cost OF ma IL
tanning them will be so great that tle peopie
will grow FESTIVE under their burdens. A ma
circulation and Incl entail fee from resident stu
dents, q reasonable tuition from non-rt sidehJ
students, and tuition IN all departments giving
reasonable requirements and assist in reducing
the ever-growing demands made upol me state
for the support and maintenance OF our UnlVer-
stiles and Colleges would suggest the passage
of n Jaw fixing the tuition and fees of this inStl-
tuition. or c.olhing the Board OF Regents ana
Chancellor with such power
The agriculture college Is doing excellent
work. aud the attendance last year was the
largest in its history. Increased approprla-
tions are necessary If the scnool Is 10 be mann
tanned as great educational institution
matriculation fee is suggested as an ala 10 the
income of the institution.
Larger appropriations and more teachers are
wanted for the state normal school ana new
library building. The governor recommends
that the management of the state university,
agricultural college and state normal school be
placed under one board. instead OF three separ-
ate boards as now.
A reasonable appropriation is asked for the
Western university, a colored industrial insti-
tuition. :.
good shape Increased appropriations are
asked to make necessary and urgent improve
ments.
Penitentiary.
The number now confined in this institution
is 1925, 236 Of whom are from the territory OF
Oklahoma and five are United States prisoners,
leaving the number committed to the lnstltu-
ton by the courts of our own state, IS4. Inc
governor requests that the board OF pardons be
repealed. The governor refused to appoint the
board two years ago, and the state has been
without board of pardons for two years. Inc
passage of u law is suggested establishing q pa
role system at the penitentlary.
1t is recommended that the law creating q
board of directors Of the penitentlary and
board OF managers of the state reformatory, be
repealed. and that one Doard OF thiee nehoers
be created, to have supervision of both institu-
tiOnS
Railroad Legislation.
The law creating the court of visitation"
having been declared unconstitutional, and the
act relating to the board OF railroad commits
sioners having been repealed it remains for the
present legislature to enact law creating
board with all the powers possible wlthln the
limits Of the constitution enabling 1t TO adjust
rates of transportation within the state, and to
settle and adjust all differences arising between
the railroads and the 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
Insurance Department.
The insurance depar ment is in most excel
lent condition. For two years the business of
that department has been conducted on bust
ness principles aud there has been paid into
the State Treasury from all sources larger
sum THAI at any previous time Tor IKE lfloa;
that in the aggregate, there has been saved TO
the policy holders of the state during the in
cumbency Of the present superintendent, by
this decrease alone, more than half million
dollars. .
ance companies is uncertain, and the power
lions arbitrary. The present superintendent
recommends modification Of that law, and
most heartily join in his recommendation. The
law should be amended fixing the charge to be
made by the examiners to be paid by the inSur-
ance companies; the fees so received should be
turned over to the state treasurer, and report
of such examinations should be filed with the
SUPERINTENDENT of insurance, which al all times
should be open to inspection.
State Banks.
ne report OF the bank commissioner shows
that the state banks are in u prosper Gus con-
dition: that during the last two years there has
been an increase in the capital and surplus OF
more than S5Ul 900, and i'll the deposits OF
more than S9,000,0O0. Our principal indus
tries 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 deposits in such banks are made by
those two classes OF citizens. Your attention
is called to the many valuable suggestions
which the commissioner makes in his report.
state Funds.
The governor urgently recommends that the
surplus state funds be placed in any bank offer
ing the largest rate of interest, instead OF
limiting the deposits to Topeka banks as at
present
The legislature is urged to give careful CON
sideration to the live stock sanitary board. The
live stock industry is one of the great and grow
ing industries Of the state, second only to that
-of agriculture. The value OF animals slaught-
cred or sold for slaughter in the state in o99,
was $50, 900; In 1900, SOD, 322,OOo. The
number OF head of live stock in the state in
1900 was 6,518612 of the value OF Sl43,457,-
600. ,
IA. 49,, HOW a ..ant ..t.p.. tnFt