Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-01-15

II
Topeka, Kan, Jan. 13.-Willis JOSH
ua Bailey, who was inaugurated gov
ernor of Kansas Monday, IN Tuesday
delivered the following essage to
the legislatures: ..
AGRICULTURE
With all due recognition Of the vast
| ness and Importance Of her other con-
stantly developing resources, and her un-
suspected possibilities, as revealed by
each passing year. the basis of the states
material prosperity must be her agri-
culture-the utilization of her soils won
derful fertility and the favoring climate.
That Kansas, with her comparatively
sparse population, already leads all
other states In the production of such
commodities as wheat, alfalfa and the
sorghums, and ranks with the foremost
In the output of corn, Is suggestive of
her capabilities. The official statistics
indicate that, in the decade just closed,
the increase In value of farm products
has been nearly "a per cent, and of
live stock more than 50 per cent, or,
for all combined, 3l.6 per cent The pro-
motion and record of our farm industries
were early in the states history en-
trusted to the state board Of agriculture
which fortunately from its beginning,
In methods of practical helpfulness. the
thoroughness and reliability Of Its sta
tistical work, and the high order of Its
publications, has rendered an invaluable
service to the growth and development
Of the agricultural interests Of the state.
The high standard of the work done un-
der the administration of the present
secretary justides such appropriations as
are necessary to maintain the usefulness
of the board. The opportunities AFFORD
ed the state for needed agricultural ex-
perimentation by the possession of the
Fort Hays land make judlcious such ap-
propriations as are necessary to establish
and equip the work there on proper
basis for greatest future usefulness. The
past two years It has been well demon
strated that portions Of our state are
adapted to the production Of sugar beets
yielding largely in tonnage and sugar
content. The last legislature provided
for the payment Of bounty of 81 per
ton on all sugar beets grown in Kan
sas In the years 1901 and 1902, containing
not less than IL per cent. of sugar ana
actually used in the manufacture OF
sugar. The advisablllty Of providing such
IL bounty on sugar beets gram In the
ensuing lWO years Will VIC hNAsfNAO ANbASE
lature to determine. e-i58
HORTICULTURE.
would impress upon you the impor-
tance of encouraging this important In
dustry; an industry that elevates our
rural communities, creates love OF
home and induces the boys to stay on
the farm. Under the educational infu-
ence of the department of horticulture,
the orchardists of the state have, in the
last decade, planted 5,7S4,495 apple trees,
bringing our state up from ranking sew
enth to ranking fourth, or an increase In
ten years of nearly 100 per cent. The
total of fruit trees and grape vines Is
quite 25000,000 in our state. The off,
GERS of this department are chosen by
the practical hOrticulturists for their
long experience and ability l recon-
mend such appropriations as may be nee
essary to carry on the work of this So
ciety.
EDUCATION.
As a result of the general prosperity
of the state, there Is a marked increase
in the attendance at each of our state
institutions-the university,
the agricultural college and the state
normal school would respectfully rec
ommend for each of these institutions
such appropriations as In your Judgment
may be necessary to maintain them upon
a plane commensurate with the growth
and development of the state. I believe
that the law should provide for the
charging of a nominal incidental or tut
lion fee at our educational institutions. /
10 7 think 4 unjust to- the
fhxpayers or our state that pupils from I
,ther states can attend our state educa-
t,onal institutions free Of cost as is now !
dome In the three institutions OF our !
state. there are now enrolled 169 pu-
nils from other states, with practically |
40 cost to them.
There is a universal sentiment among .
he teachers and educators Of the state
hat the salary Of the state superinteno-
mt should be increased from N'OO 10
1850. It Is claimed the salary OF TINS
,flcial should be equal to that Of secre-
10 Nv ~ state. state treasurer, state aud /
tor. and attorney general. This claim
,eems to me but just.
Repeated efforts have 5een made In re-
.ent years to improve cur compulsory
attendance law. It is conceded that our +
compulsory attendance law 10
weak in many respects, and should be
The state has the same
light to enforce attendance at school
nat n has TO enforce collection OF taxes
'or the support Of schools. 1t Is wise
economy for the state to enact such
avs as will enable school authorities to
enforce attendance at school, The boy
mon the street In many cases becomes
he dangerous citizen Of the state.
The people Of Kansas will justify lib-
raj appropriation for the educational ex-
,iblt at the St. Louis exposition. Kansas
,aS a splendid school system, and 1t VIII
- A great credit 10 US to secure a worthy
display at the 81. Louis exhibit Of our
Educational resources. Our public school
,ystern is the greatest heritage that the
founders Of our commonwealth have be-
,ueathed unto US. and II should be pre-
'eryed and enlarged by wise and con-
,eryative legislation.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The dictates Of humanity suggest gen
,rous appropriations for the support OF
ne charitable institutions Of the state,
md II Is very gratifying to me to b.
,ble 20 say that believe each one OF
he institutions under the control Of the
,oard Of trustees Of state charities ana
corrections r. IN good condition and has
zen maintained during the last admin
stratiou without a dehcit For your
-sa-.-.-- - r-fcrr,nffou a. "a the needn /