The Globe-republican., 1907-01-10

i and moral or spiritual. The day-school
should be greatly improved. Surely
there Is q great need OF this, for over 81
per cent of the boys who are sent TO this
Institution must enter the first or sec.
ond reader class. Many Of Them cannot
read or write. I believe women teach
ers should be provided for those young
men. The library should be care
fully overhauled. and system OF pri-
vate reading inaugurated and encour-
aged, under the supervision particularly
Of the chaplain and the teachers. A
wonderful reform work can be wrought
In this manner. There should be resi-
dent chaplain In the institution, with
salary Of Mt least 81 600.
A renewal of the effort made In the
last legislature will be- made in this
one to establish a salt plant at the
State Reformatory at Hutchinson and
trust with more favorable results.
The law should require that all coun-
ty and city jails should be constructed
with special view to light air and
sanitation; that they should be kept
clean; that the beds should be furnished
with clean linen and covers that can
be washed and changed frequently. The
jails, particularly in populous counties
and cities, should be SO arranged as to
permit classification Of prisoners. There
should be an adult department, Jul
venile department. and. OF course.
womens department. Prisoners serving
sentence and prisoners awaiting trial
should be separated. When possible,
prisoners should be given employment,
and some system OF pay for their SER
vices adopted.
| l believe the salaries of our supreme
court judges and our district judges
alike are ridiculousy low. l heartily
indorse the suggestion that the salaries
Of these judges be increased to rea-
sonable sum.
The three state educational institu-
lions, the state university the state
normal school, and the state agricul-
tural college, show a most gratifying
growth and each appeals to the patriot
lc pride of every loyal kansan. Each
is worthy OF your fostering care.
Kansas, leader in real reform, was
one of the first states to require uni
formity of school-books in its public
schools. The law was passed in 1897 and
has worked wonders. A comparison of
prices in Kansas with those In Cali
| fornia, where the state prints its own
books, shows that the people of Cali
fornia pay from 100 to 200 per cent
more for their school books than do the
will doubtless be submitted to you fer
the purpose OF weakening this law and
| warn you against them.
| Among the other suggestions made
| by the State Teachers association I
would call especial attention to the pro-
position to levy a state school tax. This
is not u proposition materially to in
crease sch:ol taxation. 1t is rather a
proposition to better equalize the dis
tribution Of school taxation and the
school facilities In poor districts.
Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, and
perhaps other agricultural states have
made the teaching of elementary. agri-
culture and horticulture part of their
common school curriculum. Many Of
our educators think that Kansas should
follow this excellent example, and
heartily agree with them.
Superintendent and principals Of our
city high schools are confronted with
new difficulty, the growth of high
school fraternities. These fraternities
should have no place in our high
schools l believe they should be for
given all possible power to suppress
them.
Two propositions have been earnestly
and extensively discussed upon which
you will doubtless be called to take
official action, namely, the project OF
a semicentennial exposition. and the In
auguration of permanent state fair.
| wish to combine these two PROPOSE
tons and discuss them as one. On the
its fiftieth milestone as a state. The
proposition to celebrate this historic and
important event in an elaborate and APP
propriate manner when first suggesttd
met with a response remarkably hearty
and unanimous. The newspapers of the
state with singular unanimity Endorsed
the project, and on January 70, 1906.
convention was held in Topeka, COM
posed of delegates appointed by vari
Gus commercial clubs, county commits
sioners city officers and other NUM-
cipal and corporate bodies throughout
the state, and was remarkably en-
thusiastic body of men.
No one thing would bring Kansas into
greater prominence and contribute more
to its material development and pro-
gress than would this contemplated ex-
position Allied to this exposition
project is the kindred one Of 4 perma-
nent state fair. have long believed That
the state should have such an insti
tuition, that 1t should be no cheap af-
ana beautiful grounds that its build
ings should be substantial and orna-
mental; and that a permanent display
of the states resources, its minerals,
its grains its grasses, its birds, its
animals, its arts its literature, its every
resource and development should be
on permanent exhibition, for the inspec-
ton of its own people, If these two
projects could be combined, and ! see
no reason why they couldn't or shouldn't
Kansas could lead the procession in
this matter.
A bureau Of information with a man
like f. D. Coburn. for instance. at
it's head without interfering with his
present duties), would be of great value
to the state.
The race problem is largely an
educational problem. The educa-
tional problem, therefore. is q most
serious one. 1t must be solved, If
solved at all, by colored schools. Prac-
teal men Of both races realize this
fact State aid extended to this class
of schools is therefore along the line
of practical craftsmanship, and COM
mend to your favorable consideration
the two institutions which former leg
islatures have generously helped, west
ern university, located at Quindaro, and
the Topeka Industrial and Educational
Institute.
/ believe 1t would be wise to estab-
lish state hospital for inebriates, for
the treatment of alcoholism. Perhaps
the new medical department of the
state university might be wisely en-
larged in its scope to include treat
ment of this class of unfortunates.
Our debt of gratitude to our country's
defenders should be intensified by the
passing years and by the infirmities and
necessities which age brings to them.
| most heartily commend for your care
full consideration, therefore, the wise and
practical recommendations Of Depart
ment Commander P. II. Coney, copy
desks. In addition to the recommended
lions of Captain Coney, ! wish to sug-
gest the propriety OF the legislature pro-
viding for a regular chaplain at the