The Topeka state journal., 1902-01-09


those plants and enormously stimulated
their production. On the side, more
over, the secretary has found time to
throw an occasional shot from his
typewriter wherever detractors of Kan
sas have happened to be stirring. Up
to this time it has not been necessary
for him to shell the same piece or works
twice.
IT mention thus in detail some of the
more notable works of the present sec
retary, both because delight to do him
honor and because 1 desire to take ad-
vantage of the opportunity to call at
tention to the eminent success of a de-
partment of state government which
is divorced from politics. In both
branches of the legislature 1t has been
StOutly cOntended that the pie In this
office should be passed over to the faith
full. If the office were political, whether
elective or appointive. no man could ex-
pect TO hold il long enough TO become
expert in it. Non-political, as 1t now Is,
the secretary is practically sure of re-
election as long as he measures up to
the requirements of the position. The
State Board of Agriculture, the State
Horticultural society, the State His
torical society and the state labor bu-
reau are all recognized and supported
by the state, and all are independent
of partisan coercion, greatly to their
advantage. For one, l would be glad
to have the necessary changes made in
the constitution and the laws so that
the principle of board control could be
eAlCuQGQ " OlAAeI O1AlCCS III ILLS
Secretary Coburn made his annual
report to the board in which he said:
Gentlemen of the State Board of Agri-
''The year 1901 has been auspicious for
the Kansas board of agriculture, and its
standing at home and abroad With
our legislators, our untitled citizens,
and strangers as we'll, it has steadily
improved. Evidence of this was given
by the legislature. when, unsolicited, it
ordered a second edition of $500 copies
of the boards twelfth biennial report
printed, and appropriated the funds
therefor; when it specified that here
after the regular editions of the biennial
should be 10000 copies; when it provided
that the board should have an assist
ant secretary, and in that respect be
on an equal footing with other state
departments; when it increased the sec
retary'S salary % per cent, putting him
in this important matter alongside the
penitentiary warden and numerous 9TH
er Indispensable officials.
Further, the governor, doubtless as a
mark of respect to your board, appoint
ed your secretary a regent of the State
Agricultural college, possibly a mis-
take by the governor, and a misfortune
to the college, the board and the secre-
tary. The executive council, and also
its men berS who compose the commit
tee on printing, have been extremely
considerate of the boards interests, and
courteous at all times, and the neWSpa-
per men and the press are always kind.
THE second edition of the Biennial
has been published and placed in the
hands of persons who seemed eager to
secure it, as was the March quarterly.
an Illustrated work of ZIG pages de-
voted to information upon the charac-
teristics and merits of shorthorn cattle.
In recognition of this quarterly the
American Shorthorn Breeders associa-
ton, in its recent annual meeting at
Chicago, unanimously adopted a reso-
luton, presented by member from In
= Il f7ea6 1axy or
ious other states, saying among other
things. that we recognize this as q
most important contribution to the liter
ature of animal husbandry," for which
1--WE tender to the Kansas board of
agriculture a unanimous vote of thanks
for and appreciation of their invalua-
BILE efforts in behalf of advanced agri-
culture, better \live stock, and a
wider knowledge of the N erits of short
horn cattle"
During the growing season crop bull
letins were sent out to the press, as the
occasion justified, but no especial effort
was made to exploit any of the states
present, possible or even probable mis-
fortunes, whether from insect, frost, or
too frequent freshet-
THE December quarterly, a volume
of 233 pages and illustrations, is just
now coming from the press and COM
prises an exposition of the merits and
history of Hereford cattle as beef
makers. It contains also, in detail, the
population, crop and live stock sta
tistics of the year 1901.
THE provision for an assistant sec
retary became effective July 1, and Mr..
J. c. Mohler was appointed to the posi-
tion. Some of the reasons why Mr..
MohIer is deemed worthy and well quail
flied are that he is a native Kansan. a
gentleman, has a natural aptitude for
clerical work. has served ten years
learning the duties of the office, is faith
full and honest as any man must be
who achieves real success, and he never
leaks.
THE secretary of this board is con-
stantly besought to lend the use of the
boards or his own name, supposedly
representing the board, in favor of this
or that scheme which, worthy or other
wise, is intended chiefly to further espe-
cially the fortunes of its promoters.
Failing of endorsement through the
office there is often suggestion that the
matter can and will secure approval
through the annual meeting, and in this
way obtain use of the boards good
name in furtherance of propositions
that at best may be but remotely re-
lated to the duties of a board of agri-
culture. If not presuming too much,
and my observation is of any worth, L
would suggest that we as a board con-
tlnue to pursue the conservative course
which has heretofore marked our de-
liberations pertaining to irrelevant mat
ters attempted to be thrust in by those
with axes to grind, and which In nowise
pertain to the boards legitimate work
The programme of the boards ses-
sions tonight and tomorrow will be as
follows:
CE.vening Session-7:30 O'clock.)
The Rural School Problem-F'rank
Nelson, state superintendent of public
instruction, Topeka
The Country School House Lucy
B. Johnston, Topeka.
FRIDAY, JONUARY 10
(Morning Session-9:30 O'clock.)
Corn Culture and Breeding-Prof. A.
ID. Shamel, Illinois Experiment Station,
Urbana
The Lister in Kansas Corn Economy
Theo w. Morse, Mound City.