The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-18
FIRST SESSION WAS
HELD LAST NIGHT
President Snyder Gives Ad-
dress at Meeting.
OF KANSAS ASSOCIATION
Stereopticon Lecture Is This
Evenings Program

LfOtiiiSo y Nf'h
The Kansas Association of Charities
and Corrections held the first session of
the convention at the First Presbyterian
church last night.
The meeting was opened by an address
Of welcome by Rev. ]. u. Ritchey. Mr..
Ritchey in a very interesting talk gave
a fine address
Prof. Z. w. Blakrnar OF Lawrence re-
sponded to Mr.. Ritcheys address with
a few brief and well chosen words.
Prof. Blackmars response was follow
ed by an interesting address by the presi-
dent Edwin Snyder Of Oskaloosa, Kan.
which was read by Prof. H. W. Charles
Of Topeka. As Prof. Dumont Smith. who
was next on the program. was absent.
the committees were appointed and the
meeting adjourned until this morning.
The following is the address of Presi-
dent Edwin L. Snyder:
Time flies Another milestone has
been reached in the history of the Kan
sas Conference of Charities and Correc-
tons. and we pause in annual session to
review our past work and plan for flu
ture campaigns.
Whatever of success we have achieved
should be our encoura cement and in
spira ZION to renewed effort, and wherein
We have failed or erred should not be al
lowed TO pass an unheeded warning.
Successes and failures are alike in
structive. The buoy that marks the
sunken rock or treacherous sandbar is
as useful to the mariner as the beacon
light which guides him safely into har-
Dor
He is wise who profits by the expert
ence of others. As an organization we
are young and inexperienced and can
be profited by the history and practices
of similar organizations in older states.
Recognizing this fact at the inception Of
our conference. a wide field of action was
adopted, as indicated by the following
objects set forth in our prospectus, which
it is probably well to repat here, to re-
fresh our memories.
"First-To make a careful study of the
conditions of the charitable and correc-
tional Institutions of Kansas.
"Second-To study the most improved
methods of management of charitable
and correctional institutions.
''Third-To organize all workers in
charitable and correctional affairs in
the state into a cooperative body.
''Fourth-To give proper support and
help to the officers of such Institutions
by study, education, favorable legisia-
ton and general information to the peo-
pie.
'Fifth-To encourage scientific research
regarding the treatment of crime, insan-
ity. epilepsy. incorrigibility. etc, and the
management of Institutions treating
these diseases,
'Sixth-To assist all prisoners and in
mates at the several charitable and cor
regional institutions to work of reform
while in these institutions. and especially
to assist them towards work and an indie
pendent life after leaving them.
"Seventh-To advance and encourage
proper legislation for the support and
management of said institutions.
"Eighth-To ascertain the number and
condition of detectives, dependents and
delinquents not in institutions and take
measures for their proper care.
'Ninth-To endeavor TO remove all evil
Influence of partisan politics from the
management of state charitable inslitu-
tions.
"Tenth-To take practical measures for
the prevention of crime. pauperism and
degeneration.
This comprehensive declaration of
purposes and objects certainly furnishes
4 field broad enough TO accommodate the
tastes and talents of all philanthropists
dition of the helpless delinquents.
The effective work Of an organiza-
tion like ours is often impaired by under
taking too much at a time. Thorough
work along a few distinct lines will fure-
~ be attended by better results than
scattered efforts in several directions.
IN this connection l desire to call the
attention of ,ne conference to a few
subjects which I believe urgently demand
the attention of those who would see our
charitable and correctional institutions
placed upon higher plans and the help
less wards of the state more humanely
treated.
Il hope what 7 say Will not be con-
strued as a carDing criticism OF the pres
ent management of our public charitable
and correctional Institutions. l believe
they are as well managed now as they
have ever been or perhaps ever will be
under our present system of partisan
political control
What I desire 10 make as plain and
emphatic as l can is that our present
spoils system is absolutely fundamental
" wreng and that until it is overthrown
and the management of our institutions
wholly divorced from politics we need
look for no improvement.
1t is scarcely necessary for me at this
time to dwell upon the evil OF political
control The intelligent members of this