Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-01-16

there Is a great need of this, for over IS
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 these young
men. The library should be care
fully oVerhauled, and a 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 at least $1,000.
A renewal of the effort made in the
last legislature will be made in this
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 a special view to light, air, and
sanitation; that they should be kept
clean; that the beds should be furnished
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, a 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 fc- their SER
vices adopted.
l believe the salaries of our supreme
court judges and our district judges
alike are ridicuouSly low. l heartily
indorse the suggestion that the salaries
of these judges be increased to a 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
&c prize 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
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
fornia pay from 100 to 100 per cent
more for their schooI-books than do the
people of Kansas. Plausible schemes
will doubtless be submitted to you for
the purpose of weakening this law and
l warn you against them.
Among the other suggestions made
by the State Teachers association l
would call especial attention to the pro-
rs not a PROPOSITION materially TO in
crease school taxation. It is rather a
proposition to better equalize the dis
tribution Of school taxation ami the
school facilities in poor districts.
Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri. and
perhaps. other agricultural states have
made the teaching of elementary agrl-
culture and horticulture a part Of their
our educators think that Kansas should
follow this excellent example, and /
heartily agree with them.
Superintendent and principals OF our
a new difficulty, the growth of high
school fraternities. These fraternities
should have no place in our high
schools. L believe they should be for
ln nrIe ~f Oh tow,
given all possible power to suppress
them.
Two propositions have been earnestly
and extensively discussed upon which
official action, namely, the project OF
semlcentennial exposition. and the in
auSuration of permanent state fair.
L wish to combine these two PROPOSE
tons and discuss them as ore. On the
18th of January, 1911, Kansas will reach
its fifteth milestone as a state. The
proposition to celebrate this historic and
important event in an elaborate and APP
proprlate manner when first SuggeSte d
met with a response remarkably hearty
and unanimous. The newspapers of the
state with singular unanimity Endorsed
the project, and on January 90, 1906, {.
posed of delegates appointed by varl
Gus commercial clubs, county commits
sioners. city officers and other NUM-
cipal and corporate bodies throughout
the state, and was a remarkably en-
thusiastic body of men.
No one thing would bring Kansas into
to its material development and pro-
gress than would this contemplated eX-
position. Allied TO this exposition
project is the kindred one OF, a perma
nent state falr. have long believed that
the state should have such an insti-
tuition, that it should be no cheap af-
fair, that it should have permanent
ana beautiful grounds that its build
should he
mental; and that a permanent display
OF the states resources, its minerals,
ITS grains, its grasses, its birds, its
animals. its arts, it's literature, its every
resource and development. should be
on permanent exhibition, for the inspec-
ton of strangers and for the inspira-
projects could be combined, and l see
no reason why they couldn or shouldn't,
Kansas could lead the procession in
this matter.
ike F. d. Coburn, for instance. at
its head (without interfering with his
present duties), would be of great value
.5 The race problem is ,rl largely an
tional problem, therefore, is a 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
i
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.
l believe it 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 it's scope to include treat
ment of this class of unfortunates.
Our debt of gratitude to our country 8
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. H. Coney, a copy
of which will be laid ali of your
| desks. In addition to the recommends
lions of Captain Coney, 1 wish to sug-
| gest the propriety OF the legislature pro-
| viding for a regular chaplain at the
| Dodge City Soldiers Home
The suggestion of Mrs. Cora G. Lewis.
| visiting member of the Board of Control,
! for the purchase of lands adjacent to our
| state hospitals for the insane to be Gull
| tivated by harmless inmates Of these in
| stitutions. seems to me to have much
merit, and l recommend the subject to
| Your faVOrab bile consideration