The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-10

the others on Il cash basis, thereby get |
ting full credit for what it produces
The state has in the past been singularly |
lax in its system of bookkeeping. For ex-
ample, the state penitentiary annually sup
to other state institutions without expense |
TO them. As u result no one has any idea
of the relative cost of maintenance.
Prisons and Care of Prisoners.
Two years ago l directed the legisla- |
lures attention to the dilapidated condi- |
te9h oil te gseaier part OF the state ne i penn
age has not improved this condition. An
immediate start at rebuilding the prison
ton would enable the warden, by using
prison labor and material. to rebuild on u
sanitary. out-of-date and a reproach to
the state: ! recommend that this appro-
priation be made.
| also urge that careful survey be
made of the entire penal system of the
state that it may be made to conform more
closely to modern ideas of penology. Fur
prisons and penitentiary really reforma-
A greater number of the city and county
iails of Kansas are a disgrace to the state.
heartily approve the industrial farm
colony plan for of Jail prisoners.
These men should be kept at work.
Provision should be made for teaching
every inmate of our prisons useful trade
so that lie she may have means of self
support upon leaving the institution. l
urge, too, that provision be made whereby
prisoners of the penitentiary may receive
compensation for work done in excess of
a reasonable requirement of work for their
maintenance. This especially is desirable
in case of prisoners with families depend
ing upon them. Often these families suffer
| greater hardshfps than the prisoners
themselves But even the man without
dustry 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.
| The life, health and yigor of the men.
swomen and children of the state. are its
greatest assets. 1t is certainly as much
| the duty of the state to promote the well
fare of its citizens to protect their
lives and property. Kansas has been a
leader in many phases of welfare iegisla-
ton: but there is more We can do and
must do.
especially recommend these:
| Only few counties are observing the
| law for the payment of pension to
worthy widowed mothers; as provided by
the legislature two years ag, The law
should be strengthened by requiring each
! Children who thru the loss of parents or
| other misfortune become. wards of the
state or county. must be given the greatest
possible opportunity for development into
Christian manhood and womanhood The
best public institution can never equal or
/ take the place of a home and home-train-
ing. | recommend that so far possible
private homes be found for children of
A state detention home for the care of
delinquent women and girls over IL should
Il
such delinquents some respectable means
of earning a livelihood. Society gains
turned loose in a few weeks or months
| with no means of self support and help
less 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
| The child labor law should be amended
to restrict further the age limit and hours
OF labor of children, especially in hazard
The laws governing the employment of
women should make such provision for
given the mothers of the race.
The activities of the state free employ
ment bureau should be widened.
The small debtors court has enabled
many persons of limited means in our
| larger cities to collect small debts without
expensive litigation. These courts should
be extended to every county in the state.
| ghe, workmen's compensation act should
be amended. to reduce to the minimum
the possibility and necessity of litigation
i'll personal injuries cases. and more lib
allowance in Kansas is below the average
of other states having workmens com
pensation acts.
codified; inspection should be extended to
include supervision and inspection of
lutte sanitary conditions should be main
tanned. The state mine inspecting depart
m me should be given better facilities for
equipment. / hope to see the legislature
work out plan that will give ample pro-
lection to families of miners who lose their
lives in mine disasters. Legislation also
should be passed making all script issued
Dy. mIhlng companies OF other employers.
following its issuance.
The people of Kansas recognize the
value and necessity Of effective censorship
of moving pictures. However, the present
manner Of censorship and appeal has not
of great annoyance to the appeal board
illogically composed of the governor. the
r. rc nj h afu these ,ee tbpe Ss era
Gals should be called upon daily to drop
the important work of the state in order
to pass upon the pictured antics of a
buffoon or the hair-raising episodes of a
blood and thunder story. I recommend
this provision of the law be changed.
Threc-fourths Jury Verdict. =.
recommend an amendment to the con-
stitution to provide for verdict in civil
leases by three -fourths of the members of
a jury
The state of Kansas must take no back
ward step in its merit system. Politics
has absolutely been eliminated from the
state institutions. In the last two years
your governor has not asked nor suggested
lftical reasons. Ability, efficiency and in
tegrity have been the only requirements
for holding a public place; The people
do not want-to see the state institutions
again made the pIaythings of politics OF
the 2,66S state employees, 40 per cent or
1.6iS being exempted by law. If any
change is made in the present civil service
law, the change should be to strengthen
it and make fnfractions of it less easy
The public business of the state must be
divorced absolutely from partisan poll
tics
The Primary Law.
The people of Kansas look with favor
upon the Kansas primary election law.
Some minor changes doubtless are needed.
but any effort to repeal it will meet with
general disapproyal. The popular primary
election has come to stay.
Iish at of
I recommend abolishing the state school
of mines ut Weir City. This school, es-
tablished In 1912. has cost the state 500
COO. The average enrolment during the
, five years has been less than eighteen.
with graduates. The enrolment in
1921 b. ~ 'nis yeaa M1s t toul. ne