The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-20

ment may cooperate mere easily in the
mood prevention work. suggest that the
state drainage engineer at the zsricul-
tural college be designated also as state
flood engineer
Prisons and Care of Prisoners.
Two years ago 1 directed the Iegisla-
lures attention TO the dilapidated eondi-
ton OF the greater part OF the state peni-
Tertiary at Lansing Two years hard
usage has not improved this condition
An immediate start at rebuilding the
prison should be made A moderate an
preparation would enable the warden, by
using prison labor and material TO rebuild
on a modern plan the big cell houses
now unsanitary. out-of-date and a re-
proach to the state recommend that
this appropriation be made
L also urge that a careful survey be
made Of the entire penal system of the
state that it may be made TO conform
ology- Further effort should be exert
ed to make our prisons and penften-
tiary really reformatory.
a greater number of the city and county
Jails of Kansas are a disgrace to the
state heartily approve the industrial
farm colony plan for care Of jail prison
ers. These men should be kept at work
Provision should be made for teaching
every inmate of our prisons useful trade
so that he or she may have means Of self
support upon leaving the institution I
urge, too, that provision be made where
by prisoners of the penitentiary may re-
eelve compensation for work done in ex-
cess OF reasonable requirement Of work
for their maintenance This especially Is
desirable in case Of prisoners with fami-
lies depending upon them Often these
families suffer greater hardships than the
prisoners themselves But even tha man
without dependents will feel the incen-
tive to industry and good conduct if he is
earning wages and is accommodating money
with which he may make a new start in
life upon his release
Human Welfare.
Among measures for general welfare. 1
especially recommend these
Only few counties are observing the
law for the payment of a pension to
worthy widowed mothers. as provided by
the legislature two years ago. The law
should be strengthened by requiring each
county to provide funds for this purpose
Children who through the loss of par
ents or other misfortunes become wards
OF the state or county, must be given the
ment into Christian manhood and woman
hood. The best public institution can
never equal or take the place of a home
and home-training- 1 recommend that so
far as possible private homes be found
for children of the Orphans home
A state detention home for the care of
delinquent women and girls over Il
should be established for the purpose of |
teaching such delinQuents some respect |
able means of earning a livelihood So
ciety gains nothing by their incarceration |
II they are turned loose in a few weeks !
or months with no means of self-support /
and helpless to cope with the world.
To abate the loan-shark evil cities OF /
the first and second class should be au-
thorized to establish municipal loan |
agencies
The Civil Service.
The state of Kansas must take no /
backward step in its merit system Poll /
tics has absolutely been eliminated from
years your governor has not asked nor
suggested single change at any Insti- l
tuition for political reasons. Ability. eff /
cheney and integrity have been the only
requirements for holding a public place /
The people do not want to see the state l
again made the playthings of 4
politics Of the 1858 state employees 40 /
per cent, or 1921, are now under the civil 4
service s. law, 1'64S being exempted by law
II any change is made in the present civil 1
service law, the change should be to 1
strengthen it and make infractions of it 4
less easy. The public business of the 1
state must be divorced absolutely from |
partisan politics. 4
The Primary Law.
The people Of Kansas look with favor /
upon the Kansas primary election law |
Some minor changes doubtless are need
ed, but any EFFORT to repeal it win meet /
election has come to stay
Abolish the State School of Mines.
recommend abolishing the state school 4
Oh mines at Weir City. This school, es-
taolshed IN 1912, has cost the state $50
1OO- The average enrolment during five
years has been less than eighteen. witt,
no graduates The enrolment in Septem-
Der OF this year was four. The school has
met no demand of the people; il fills no
need; and should immediat ely be
abolished
The State House and Grounds.
strangers judge a state. as well as an /
Individual by the condition in which If
keeps ITS home and front yard Kansas
cannot be proud of the dilapidated con-
1itlon OF the east wing of the state house
ana the slovenly-kept state house grounds
suggest an ample appropriation for re-
storing the east wing and for the beauti-
ymg and keeping the grounds
Report Appropriation Bills Promptly.
L especially urge that the WAYS and
means committee Of each house report the
appropriation bills early in the session.
nat they may be given the careful con-
'1deration they require.
Inc house Of representatives is to be
commended for excluding members from
districts in which state institutions are
coated from service on the ways and
means committee The same r1,Ie should
prevail in the senate
Great Chance to Help Kansas
N conclusion, desire to congratulate !
VO' SSHtiennen OF the legislature OF 1917 |
ipon the opportunity you have of render
ng real service to the people of this
'reat state Kansas was never so ready
OF constructive program Our peopIe Z
eaIlze- as never before. that with all orr l.
lgh ideals and all our good intentions We
omehow have failed to reach high efTf-
lency In governing ourselves We are
retty well convinced the fault Is not in
ur intent but in the machinery We have
cen using The people are looking to Won
remedy that fault 1t is a big iob but
ne 70 which you are equal No political
xpedient demands lodging or trimming
hedging on your part: no bitter parti-
anship exists to excuse pettifozging at
MS session 1 appeal to you as men as
-ansans.~ as statesmen, as patriots to NUT
SIDE minor matters; to eliminate poll
les and partisanship; to get together and
o the big things required and expected
you 1 ask you to consider throughout
our deliberations, first last soIely-the
interest and the welfare Of all the people
Kansas whose public servants Won are.
nd have every confidence that you will
hat You viii earn the praise Of the peo-
lie and the approval of your conscience.
Respectfully submitted
ARTHUR CAPPER.
Governor