The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-10


vest in the future. It is gratifying to
announce that all this was done with
out exhausting the limited and meager
appropriation placed in the hands or
our commissioners and that they con-
cluded their splendid labors without
a deficit. but on the contrary will have
about $4,000 to return to the state
treasury. I congratulate them upon
the magnificent results they achieved
with such limited means at their COM
mand and believe them entitled to
some kind of official recognition at
the hands of the legislature of Kansas
as well as the gratitude of all the peo-
pie of the state.
Temperance.
The manufacture and sale of intoxi-
cants has long since been universally
recognized as a legitimate subject of
governmental concern because the evils
ly recognized. The growth of temper
ance sentiment has been marvellous,
but among the most hopeful signs in
this direction in recent years is the at
titude toward the drink habit now sus-
tanned by the great corporation, and by
business men in all commercial circles.
The business world is now practically
great temperance society, and no rail-
road company or other corporation, no
banker no merchant, no business man
of any kind, who places a proper value
upon highest efficiency, now desires the
services of those addicted to this hab-
it. The temperance question, therefore,
is no longer purely a moral question
it is great business problem, and If
the great corporations and business
concerns have enlisted on the side or
temperance, not from sentimental but
from cold, commercial considerations,
how important it is that the greatest
corporation of an-the state-should
maintain a correct attitude on this SUD
ject. Prohibition has now been part
of the organic law of this state for "A
years and while there are honest diff
dom and While it has been defective in
operation, it's benefits must be conced-
ed. The conditions are not all that good
citizens desire everywhere in the state,
but with all of it's defects in operation,
the conditions are much better mere
than in states sustaining a different at
titude toward the subject. I do not be-
lieve an equal number of people can be
moral. and freezer from poverty and
crime than are the people of Kansas
Especially, may we be proud Of the
young people of the state as a class.
We are raising a high class Of citizens
here. 1t is a better civilization than
can be found among the environments
of the legalized saloon. / hope, there
fore, that the legislature viii take no
backward steps on this subject
bikes and Drainage.
The subjects of bikes and drainage
will doubtless be presented Tor your
consideration. Their inheritance has
been emphasized during the past few
years. Under present statutes the To-
practically impossible for farmers in
the low lands and valleys, subject to
inundation, to get relief without addi-
tionaI legislation. For the lack of such
ed great loss. Missouri, Iowa, Illinois,
New York and perhaps other states have
suffered.
A Legal Oddly.
One of the oddities of the law which
would be amusing if it were not ex-
asperating is the fact that the chiefs
of the state institutions are required to
forward their printed reports to the
governor, but are not required to for
ward them to the governor-elect. al
though, as a moments thought will
show, he needs them precisely as often
as the incumbent of that Office. I am
now in need of all these documents
which are doubtless piled up in the ex-
ecutive office in reach of one who does
not need them at all. The matter is
perhaps of not enough Importance to
suggest a remedy and only call atten-
ton to it to show the grotesque side of
much of our legal machinery By per
Sonal effort and through the courtesy
of the heads of departments have Sc
cured the necessary documents, but it
is not my purpose to burden this mes
sage with detailed reference to each in
stitutiOn in the state. These reports
will be laid upon your desks and can be
examined by you at your leisure.
Educational Institutions.
Every citizen of the state will be
gratified to know that the educational
institutions are in a hourishing condi- |
ton. Each of the three asks additional !
to serve their great
needs and I am sure you will deal gen
erously with them. No money is better |
spent than that which is expended for |
the equipment of our educational insti- |
buttons.
Penitentiary.
From the report of the warden of the |
penitentiary you will learn that that |
Institution is self-sustaining that dur
ing the past two fiscal years there has
been returned to the state in cash and |
in products, which If sold in the open |
market would have produced the cash, |
a greater sum than the amount appro- |
priated by the state for the expense ac- |
count This is certainly gratifying |
statement. I wish to indorse the rec |
of the board of directors |
that each state institution shall pay |
cash for what it receives from each I
other state institution "as it would to |
quote their language, more clearly |
show the correct receipts and expendi- /
lures of each one" And I may add it |
would promote economy in each. From |
the report of the directors you viii also |
learn that the state sis not losing and |
never has lost one cent on its contract |
with the authorities OF Oklahoma for /
the keeping OF OKlanOnaa prisoners,
and they therefore favor a renewal of
the contract. 1 have been much inter-
ested in the parole experiments and in |
the operation of the somewhat similar /
experiment under the new law enacted |
last year known as 1.-The indeterminate
sentence law From the report of the |
warden I learn that during the past
five years 1872 prisoners have been con- /
ditionally paroled and pardoned. OF
this number 115 have been released by |
service of full time and Communication I
of sentence, ID have been reincarcera-
ted. 8 have violated their parole con-
tracts and are still at large, have died,
and 81 are still serving time under their |