The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-08

mechanic arts, and in the arts of hus-
bandry and agricultural chemistry, and
IN the fundamental laws Of the United
States and in what regards the rights
and duties of citizens"
So, while the university, agricultural
college and normal school were located
at different points, and each one desig-
mated to give different instruction, Il
was in pursuance OF a common plan
The university was to be a school OF
liberal arts; the agricultural college, one
Of agriculture and the mechanic arts;
and the normal school one for the equip
ment of teachers.
There is no reason why this plan
could not have been kept constantly in
view, and Why these three Institutions
could not have worked toward the ac-
cOmpl1Shment of a common purpose,
neither encroaching upon the province
Of The other. il they had all been under
one common arrangement. But these
schools have been directed by separate
rnanagements, each wholly independent
littl-: united purpose or action among
the three, when they ought 70 be part
Of a common system.
I think much could yet be done to
render all of these Institutions more
efficient, by carrying out the intentof the
constitution of making each a part of
a general plan. and the first step in this
direction would be to place them under
the control Of one board of regents,
composed of six members, not more than
four of whom should belong to one po-
ntfcal party. with the head Of each in
stitution an ex-Officio member, and the
presiding officer of such board in all
matters relating to the particular insti-
tuition Of which he was the head. and I
earnestly recommend the enactment of
a law creating such board. No objec-
ton could be urged to such a law, eX-
cept as it might arise from those who
are willing that some one Of these in
stitutions should be fostered by the
state to the neglect and consequent in
Of 1,o f7ff7
INTEREST FUNDS.
The state university, agricultural col
lege and normal SHOOT have perman-
ent endowments, from which is received
annually a large sum in the way of in
terest. This amount is expended by the
several boards, without any restriction,
and no report of such expenditures is
required to be made to any state officer
It would seem advisable to have the
statute require that all such funds be
paid into the state treasury, and drawn
out In the regular way, by warrants OF
the auditor, upon vouchers properly
itemized and verified, providing an adj
ditional safeguard in the expenditure Of
the money, and giving the public full
information as to such expenditures.
In this connection, 1 desire to call the
attention of the legislature to the recon-
mendations of the auditor, advising the
abolition Of treasurerS of separate in
stitutions, andArequiring all funds to be
turned into the state treasury and paid
mendation is a wise one, and should be
acted upon
WESTERN UNIVERSITY.
The last legislature made an appro-
priation for the establishment of an in
dustrial department at the Western uni
versity, and provided for the appoint
ment of a majority of the board of trus-
tees, giving the state the control of such
department. An industrial building has
been erected, and there has been a large
increase in the attendance of students
The work that has been done fully JUS
titles the expenditure made.
I believe that reasonable appropria-
tons for the purpose of educating the
young people of the colored race along
educational and industrial lines can be
wisely made and should be encouraged.
CHARITA8LE INSTITUTION.
INSANE ASYLUMS.
Principal among best institutions are
the insane asylums at Topeka and Osa-
Watomie- They are in excellent cOndi-
ton. An appropriation was made by the
last legislature for the erection and
equipment of an administration building
at the Topeka asylum, and this building
is nearing completion. This will render
available in the buildings heretofore
used Tor administration purposes con-
siderable room which may now be di-
vided into wards for the accommoda-
ton of patients The number in this
asylum in 1888 was 795; in 1899, 1893; in
1900, sol, and with the additional room
afforded by the changes heretofore
mentioned, the state viii be enabled to
take care Of go patients in that institu-
ton.
The preceding administration attempt
ed to complete and furnish some base
ment wards in one Of the buildings at
OsaWatOr1ie. The work was never COM
pleted, but it is now well under way,
and small appropriation would furnish
the money necessary to complete the
work which would give room for one
hundred additional patients. The attend
ance at the Osawatomie asylum for 1898
was lob; 1899, 1.025; 1900 98I-
It is the judgment of the board of
charities that when these improvements
are completed, there viii be ample room
in the two aSylumS to meet all of the
present demands, and that a new asylum
at this time is unnecessary
For years, the legislature has been
making large appropriations to pay for
the expense of caring for INDECENT in
sane who were denied admission to the
state aSylumS for the lack of room for
their accommodation. An appropriation
of 1920 900 was made by the last legis-
lature to meet this claim. This large
expense of caring for the INDECENT insane
was the basis of argument for another
asylum. Recently, room was made at
the asylums for the care of additional
female patients. and notices were sent
to the probate judges of counties from
which applications had been made for the
admission of such patients, that the in
stItutl0ns were now ready to receive
them, and thus relieve the counties from
the further charge of caring for them,
and requests were made that such
patients be sent to the asylum at once.
In a number of instances, no response
was made to these requests, although
the state, in every instance had been
paying for the care of such persons. An
investigation disclosed the fact that in
many cases frauds had been perpetrated
upon the state in securing from the
state treasury the allowance made by
law for the care Of the INDECENT insane
whose admission had been denied for
want of room
I would suggest that chapter So laws
Of 1876 relating to the care Of INDECENT
insane be repealed. and that a require
ment be made that patients shall be
admitted to the asylunas in the order in
which the applications are made and
that the state be relieved from the ex-