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

struction, the board was compelled to
borrow money for that purpose
An industrial department mas peen
established, a good building constructed,
and when provided with the proper ap-
planes, will be ready for operatlon- II
is believed that good Industrial oe-
partment, where the boys may be taught
useful trades and skill in handling TOOLS,
viii be Of permanent benefit after they
leave the school Soon after the present
superintendent assumed charge, he at
tempted to procure homes Tor sucn OF
the inmates as he believed Wouid pc
benefited by such change NO 1unda
were available for this purpose, ana the
superintendent was greatly embarrassed
in his attempt to accomplish THIS. VVork-
Notwithstanding the difficulties IN ms
way, he has succeeded IN nndInS hoIneS
for thirty-eight boys, and these, with
very few exceptions, are doing we'll
The work Of caring for the INDECENT.
unfortunate and refractory chlldfen OF
the community, including all classes -
attracting more and more attention, ana
recently it has called forth the very pest
thought of those engaged IN the work
of charities and corrections the better
view at this time seems to be in favor OF
procuring homes for these enlldreh'
rather than confining them IN 1nsl1tu-
tons In my former message, sug-
gested such plan, and it was IN pur-
Suance of this policy that there mas peen
a beginning of the work. ootn III the
orphans home and the reform scnool.
The SUPERINTENDENT of the reform Scnool
has been without means to visit the
homes in which the boys nave Deen
placed to ascertain from a personal m
spection and examination the nature or
their surroundings
l would suggest a liberal appropria-
ton for the use of the Orphans home
and the Reform school, available to the
superintendent Of these institutions, TO
enable them to procure homes through
their own and other agencies, and at
suitable times to make personal visits
and inspections, so as to know from per-
al r,I,c vat ion
rounding he children who have been Ia
ken out of the institutions and placed
in other surroundings.
It would be wise to change the name
of this institution from Reform school,
to Industrial School for Boys"
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The Industrial school for girls at Be
lott, was in good condition when the
present administration entered upon its
term, and its condition remains pracu-
cal1y the same.
Since the last meeting of the legisla-
tuwe the engine room and laundry, at
this institution, were burned, and it VIII
be necessary to have an appropriation
for It's rebuilding.
In this connection, it would be well
for the legislature to consider the ad-
visibility of insurance. During the last
administration, the electrical engineer
ing building and machinery at the state
university were destroyed by fire, and
rebuilt at a cost of $40, 907, which money
citizens OF Lawrence (and other por-
lions of the state) and repaid by act of
the last Legislature. Since the present
administration entered upon its term
the following buildings have been de-
stroyed by fire:
Engine house and laundry at Be
q lott, LOSS. --.-.-..-.......$ 5,UUo
Engine house and laundry at Re
form school, Topeka. 10000
Building at Agricultural college.
Manhattan, loss .-..........--.. 10000
Total ....... .......s2 SIS, 600
SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME
This institution is well managed, and
the children properly cared for.
The last legislature made provision
for the selection Of an agent to find
homes for the children now in the in
stItution. The success attending this ef-
fort does not in my judgment, justify
its continuance, and I respectfully rec
omlnend that the law creating such
agent be repealed.
There has been considerable difficulty
at his place, for years, to secure a sup
ply of good wholesome dater Succeed
ing administrations have attempted TO
remedy this defect, but the efforts, so
far, have resulted in failure. The board
of charities have plan for securing
this supply, and will ask an additional
appropriation for that purpose.
INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND.
The institution for the education OF
the blind at Kansas City. was taken
charge of by the present superintendent
nearly two years ago, since which time
it has been placed in good condition.
The buildings are old and wholly insuf-
ficient for the needs of the institution.
No permanent improvements have been
mace at that institution for a number of
years. The superintendent is now ask
ing for additional room to accommodate
additional scholars, and provide for the
comfort and welfare of those in attend
ance.
T1rstTrTTT1TTr,TfAT TOD rrvrTu4 nm n 7TTD
DUMB.
The institution for the education of
the deaf and dumb at Olathe has had to
contend with many difficulties The sup
ply of water at this school was entirely
exhausted during the year 1900, and the
city refused to furnish water in COM
pliance with the terms of the contract
which had been previously entered into
between the board and the city. This
necessitated the hauling of water long
distances to supply the actual needs of
the school.
The sanitary system was in bad con-
dition at the time the present board
took charge. This defect was partly
reInedied, but additional work must be
done before it is made complete. AS the
result of the imperfect sanitation ana
the poor water supply, there has beer
much sickness in that institution. The
board is now paying the city of OIathe
the sum of $50 per month for water, and
there is no guaranty that this arrange
ment viii continue.
Large sums of money have been ez-
pended by former boards to obtain a
sufficient supply of water, but all efforts
to obtain such supply have been fruit
less do not think further appropria-
tiors should be made for additional
buildings until a sufficient supply of
pure water has been obtained.
STATE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTIC AND
INIBECILE YOUTH
The state asylum for idiotic and i'm
beetle children is of growing Importance,
and the demands upon that institution
are increasing An additional building
has been constructed there within the
I last two years. and other improvements
are necessary The number in that in
stitution in 1898 was 1872, in 1899 was $780,
and in 1Sc5, was 220. and I am informed