The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-01-16


for the use Of the state, but no appro-
priation was made for the purpose of
making either the purchase or lease; but
a contract has been made for the pur-
chase of what is known as Staiger's is
land, a tract of land containing sH 2-3
acres.
The parole law for convicts of the state
penitentiary. a development of the con-
ditional pardon rule inaugurated by Gov
Stanley during his first term, is in sue
ceSsful operation, shown by reports on
file. 1t Is now recognized by experienced
prison management as an aid in prison
discipline and as means through which
young men, especially those who are
serving their first terms in the peniten-
tiary. can be saved from following a life
of crime. The defect. however, in the
present system of granting paroles in this
state is. in my judgment. the lack Of an
equitable adjustment of the method
through which it is put in operation 1t
should be based upon a merit system.
The parole should come from a list of
eligibles, on grades which the prisoner
attains through his own efforts. This
would place the friendless inmate upon
the same footing with the one favored
by friends and influence from the out
side. L would suggest such legislation as
may be necessary to meet these require
ments.
The Irvine plant at the penitentiary. in
view of the inexperience of those charged
with it's conduct, has achieved a reason
able degree of success, and I believe
should be maintained upon the present
basis: and suggest that the profits of the
plant be set aside until $4,000 is accum-
ulated, this fund to be used to protect
the revolving fund from loss should any
occur, which Is liable to happen even
under the most careful business manage
ment
OKLAHOMA PRISONERS.
In tha
tertiary, of whom ZIG are from Okla
| homa. I question the wisdom of Kan
sas longer assuming the responsibility
| of taking care of Oklahona's prisoners,
| and recommend that Oklahoma be asked
to relieve US of this charge soon as
| she can do so.
KANSAS STATE SOLDIERS HOME.
This home was founded upon the pa
| triotic sentiment that it was the dutv
of the state to provide for the INDECENT
soldier Of the civil war and his family.
I believe the home and it's affairs are in
splendid condition, but 1 call the atten-
ton of the legislature to the very i'm
portant need of fire protection at this in
stitution.
STATE BANKS.
The report of the bank commissioner
shows the institutions under the control
Of this department as being in excellent
condition. Perhaps nothing more clearly
indicates the prosperous condition of our
people that comparison of the state
ments made by our banks under the Off
cial call in 1900 and again in 1902 Com
parison made between the calls of Sep
TENDER l. 1900 and November g. 1902,
shows the total number of banks under
state supervision at this time Is Al,
gain of SO banks in two years. The to-
tai capital is now 81. 900. an increase of
$1,13S,OO0 during the same period. The
total surplus is now 81, 769, 701.S6 gain
of s419, 1914 The total deposits are now
| $40, 135, 1865, a gain of $S,508, S411 The
total loans are now $50, SS5, 1858, an in
crease of 1,O72, 211.42. The cash and sight
exchange Qegal reserve) at this time
Is SIS. 352, 451 "A, or 3S.25 per cent. of the
entire deposits, showing the banks of the
state are upon a safe and conservative
| basis.
HANDLING OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
I believe that the law should be so
amended that county treasurers, when
they remit any funds to the state treas
urer, should be required to notify the
state auditor of the amount RENTED.
and the auditor, upon receiving such
| notice, should be required to charge the
| treasurer with such amount. And, would
| further recommend that our laws be so
amended that the accounts of the state
| fiscal agency and the state despositories
be kept with the auditor Of state and
| state treasurer in more businesslike
| manner. Under the present law, neither
|
| positories are required to report to the
| auditor of state.
find from the record kept of the ex-
| aminations made by the board of the
| state treasury for the year 1902, that the
| average amount of funds In the fiscal
| agency during said year was s51,390. I
also find that the state has a contract
with the state fiscal agency whereby the
agency pays the state two per cent. on
| the average of daily balances of state
/ I'D nI, f0rs
would amount to S1,027.S0. I also find from
| the records of said board that the average
| amount deposited In Topeka banks. the
| same being state repositories, for the
| year 1902, was $4S1, 27269 If the New York
bank which is the fiscal agency can pay
| two per cent. on the average daily bal
| ances, 1t occurs to me that the banks of
| Kansas will be willing to pay the same.
| Two per cent. on the average deposits
| in the Topeka banks for 1902 would
amount to s9,625.45. I also find from the
records of said board that the average
amount of money in the state treasury
| and in the Topeka banks as state de-
| positories for the year 1902 amounted to
t s76s, SIT. This amount, at two per cent.
| on average daily balances would net the
! state 1922 per annum. 1t seems to me
| that business prudence and the public
| welfare demand that some change, such
| as suggested herein, be made in the hand
! ling of our state funds. I would also rec
| ommend, II these suggestions are en-
| acted into law, that the bond of the state
treasurer be reduced to one-half its pres
| ent sum, the bond to be made by some
surety company and paid for out of the
| profits accruing to the state upon the
| daily balances as suggested in this rec
| ommendation.
REQUIRING ACCOUNTING OF MON
| EYS.
| would recommend that the legislature
hnl Ch
| trading and trafficking in the marketable
| commodities from the various state In
| stitutions At every institution, educa-
tional or otherwise, where any money
| is received from any source. or where
| any commodity Is sold. it should be sold
for cash, and the cash paid at the end
| Of each month to the state treasurer.
would also suggest that all public mon
eys received from any Of the sources
| mentioned at any of the state institu-