H
M'COQK TRIBUNE.
H V. M. KI.tinilSI.L , Publisher.
M
IfcCOOK , NEBRASKA
M
NEBRASKA.
J Some cases of destitution arc re
J Jiorted from .Sioux county.
H Tim Falls City creamery building
J Tvas completely destroyed by fire.
H The citizens of Beatrice favor ward
J reduction in the interest of reform.
J All the churches of Fairbury have
H -united in a scries of revival meetings.
H John C. Edmondson , a prominent
H citizen of Fremont , died last week
J from appendicitis.
H North Platte has a bachelor ladies'
H club numberingtwentyeight It re-
H cently held a banquet , at which the
HHHJ bill of faro was sandwiches , coffee and
HHHJ pickles.
J V. Barton , a farmer living west of
HHHJ Hay Springs , caught his hand in the
J Tunning gear of his wind mill and
HHHJ smashed it so badly that amputation
HHHJ 'was necessary.
B II. Fishback , a Beatrice dealer in
HHHJ poultry , last week received nearly 10- :
| O00 pounds of rabbits from points in.
HHHJ Kansas. There were about 2,000 of
HHHJ them cotton tails.
H The doors of the Standard glass and
Hj paint company , one of the largest ,
HHHH ivholesale houses in Lincoln , were
HHHH closed last week by local creditors on
HHHH mortgages aggregating slightly over
J 1 Forty thousand pounds of twenty- '
*
H our-inch iron tubing came in over the
J Turlington from Columbus , O. , says
HHHH the Tribune , for the Crawford citizens'
HHHH ditch , a portion of which is to be used
HHHH at the dam at the reservoir.
| William Dacy , one of the early set-
HHHH tiers of Box Butte county , became
B tired of trying to dig a fortune out of
HHHH his farm and went to the Black Hills
HHHH to prospect. He staked out a claim
HHHH last fall and sold it the other day for
JHHHJ SH,000.
The marriage record in the Cass
county judge's office shows 148 licenses
issued in 189G. This is a decrease of
fifteen as compared with 1895 , the bard
, times probably affecting the matrimo-
1 nial market as much as any other line
, of business.
Church services were resumed in Os-
! ceola last Sunday , and the school has
j also commenced. The school was
I tfjssed for three weeks. It is thought
3 jj the danger from diphtheria is passed ,
as there are but a few cases , and they
J all of a mild type.
| The directors of the Platte county
I iair association , after having advertised
I for many months for bids to sell the
I fair grounds and all equipments , held
I a meeting last week and reviewed the
| bids. All were rejected. The fair will
j be held this year as usual.
I John G. Kramer of Nebraska City
I has brought suit against Joe Snyder
j and his sureties for S3,000 damages.
I
| Snyder runs a saloon in Dunbarwhere ,
I on Sept. 14 , 1S9G , Kramer was beaten
| over the head with a beer bottle by ,
| Snyder. He claims to have lost his
I power of speech , which he thinks is
I worth $5,000.
I Frank Yocutn of Ogallala , who shot
I and killed James Van while charivaring
I a newly married
couple at the Union
I Pacific depot in that place , December
M I 23 , 1S9G , had his preliminary hearing
and was bound over to the district
H court under the charge of manslaugh-
II
ter. His trial will take place at the
IS next term of court.
I An agent who has made his head-
Ej quarters at McCool Junction for a cou-
B * pie of months has succeeded in selling
H a large numbers of pairs of spectacles
p to the farmers , their wives , and even
H the children and the hired men. He
m has. convinced nearly everybody that
W they need glasses , and has taken in
m nearly a thousand dollars.
J • The city attorney of Hastiners has
decided that the last election held in
that city for the purpose of voting
§ S,000 bonds for water works improve
ment was illegal. His decision was
made on the grounds that the legal
publication notice had only been run
ten days , , when it should have run
thirty days prior to the election.
J. 31. Eussel & Son of Wymore have
recently leased 100 acres of land one
mile east of Lincoln Normal for fif
teen years for orchard purposes. Their
I intention is to grow fruit nearer to
i Tailroads , Lincoln being a good distrib
uting point for fruit in car lots or
j locally , having favorable freight rates.
• Their peach orchards at Wymore arc
| from four to nine miles east of the sta-
I tion. Their in ' 96
crop was 75,000
j baskets , selling at SO cents down as
i 3ow as 20 cents per basket at wholesale.
! They will plant extensively this
I I spring.
j Thomas Coolcy , a highly respected
young man , 19 years of age , and the
only son of S. E. Cooley , was kicked in
the breast by a horse and killed in
stantly. It occurred at their home
adjoining Waverly. The shock to the
j parents is extremely great , it being the
i , death of the second grown son and one
daughter within the past fifteen
months.
i John Connors of Fort Scott , Kan. ,
b was in Sioux City en route to Wayne ,
| 2Jeb. , where he has been negotiating
I -with John T. Bresslor and others of
h JTort Scott to
erect a beet sugar factory
I
in the Nebraska town. It is proposed
I to build a factory with a capacity of
1 I 200 tons of beet sugar a day. Mr. Con-
1 iors says the plant will cost about
5150,000 and is confident it will bo
I built.
HJHV Bessie Montgomery , youngest child
HHHJj of John Montgomery of Greenwooddied
HJ of membraneous croup. The mother
B of deceased is said to be a Christian
Hj science healer. The little sufferer
Hj passed away surrounded by a few of
H these believers , and no plrysician was
HJ summoned.
Hj The Cloride ( New Mexico ) Black
H Uange brings to W. F. McLaughlin of
H Grand Island the '
, following as' a sort
H of New Year's greeting : "John Yaple
H lias completed assessment work on the
H .Melissa mining claim of W. F. Me-
H Laughlin of Grand Island , Neb. The
Hj claim is A 1 prospect and is shpwing
J lip in good shape. 1
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
A VERY LONG AND ABLE
DOCUMENT.
Tiio Nebraska Executive Discusses State
Affairs Thoroughly and With Becoming
Dignity Defends the State and Slakes
a Number of KecominenUiitions.
SECTION TIIKEE.
. . Ponltontlnry.
Ey the census of 1S90 it was shown thai
Nebraska had a population of 1,058,910. At
the present time it Is fair to assume that
the population has increased to 1,250,000.
By an examination of the report for the
blonnlal period ending November 30 , 1S 4 ,
It will be found that the average number
per year sentenced to the penitentiary
was 175& , and the average number per
year for the 'biennial period just closed
as shown by the report of the present
warden. Is 17C/2. The number of prisoners
confined In the penitentiary 'November ' 20 ,
1S91 , was 351 ; while the number Imprisoned
November 30 , last , or at the end of the
biennial period , was 275 , thus showing a
considerable decrease. It • will also be ob
served , by the report of the pardons and
commutations submitted herewith , that
executive clemency has been exercised
with less frequency than during the years
previous , an # the number paroled only
a little In excess thereof. These statistics
disclose Nebraska standing in a very en
viable position respecting the low per
centage of criminality , as well as that of
Illiteracy , thus confirming the axiom that
Ignorance and vice go hand In hand.
The condition of the penitentiary upon
• the whole is very good. The present man
agement has taken advantage of the op
portunities which have been offered for
improvement. A careful study of the his
tory of the penitentiary since its organiza
tion will not disclose any two years of its
existence during which greater progress
was made than during the biennial period
Just closed. Credit for this condition Is
due to the efficiency of the management
of the present warden , who by a wise and
judicious policy has Improved the standard
of morals In the penitentiary , as well as
made large reductions In the expenditures.
This good record has been made by the
warden , despite the fact that he has
failed to receive the co-operation of most
of those with whom he has had official re I
lations in its management.
• MANAGEMENT.
The question of the management of
penal Institutions , is of course , difficult un
der most 'favorable circumstances. There
are various methods of management , each
having warm advocates. While the en
couragement of any method of manage
ment that will deverop the reformatory
features of prison life appeals strongly to
the sympathetic and human ? sentiments
of mankind , yet it is to be borne in mind
that the place should not be made so In
viting that the careless and wickedly dis
posed will commit deeds of lawlessness
without fearing tin punishment to follow.
The humanity of the , present age demands
that punishment for violation of law by
imprisonment or otherwise shall not 'be
inflicted barbarously , inhumanly , or in any
manner-that would tend to stifle the better
sentiments of a man , even though a violator
later of the law ; but rather that the pun
ishment shall bb humane , yet reasonable ,
fixed , certain and determined in its char
acter. This may he brought about by con
finement in the penitentiary in solitary
cells , in restraint of liberty , in strict and
rigid discipline , in plain , simple fare , yet
plenty and -wholesome , clothing of the
most common quality and some particular
uniform color and hard , steady and con
tinuous labor during the period of confine
ment. I do not believe in a sentimentality
that -would supply to the prisoner , con
victed frequently of the most henious
crimes known to mankind , with every
luxury , form of amusement or Intellectual
recreation that would be regarded as spe
cial privileges by many who lead a hum
ble , yet honest and upright life. I believe
In classification of the prisoners , so far as
it can be done , with the view of separating
the older and more hardened criminals
from those who have committed , perhaps
under mitigating cicumstances , their first
offense , and who sincerely repent , desiring
to pay the penalty for the broken law ,
retrieve the mistakes of the past , and lead
an "honest and upright life. Such prison
ers should receive all reasonable encour
agement. This , it seems to me , might
properly be done by constructing new
cells In the new cell house In the east wing
of the penitentiary , which is now used
as a chapel. This would render it less
difficult to maintain this class of prison
ers without coming so much in contact
with the more hardened class.
"While some advocate changing the
striped clothing customary to be used in
prisons all over the country , I doubt the
propriety of it. I understand it has been
tried only in very few prisons and there
found to work not very satisfactorily. Its
advocates say it Is degrading and humili
ating for the offender to be required to
Wear this badge of a broken law. It can
be said with equal propriety that it Is
humiliating to be put in prison and re
strained of one's liberty. The logical se
quence of such reasoning would be to dis
charge all the prisoners and tell them to
go their way and sin no more. We must
come face to face with the practical side
of depraved humanity and prison manage
ment of such , as well as to have the
theoretical.
We have had in this state almost ever
since its organization a form of prison
management that has been debasing and
degrading , a system of leasing the peni
tentiary and the convicts therein to selfish
Individuals for the purpose of private gain.
We have at least rid ourselves of this one
objectionable feature -of prison manage
ment. The last session of the legislature
passed an act providing for the annulment
of the lease of the prison and prisoners
and also providing an appropriation for
the payment of what should be found to
foe due the lessee by the cancellation of the
lease. Under -the provisions of the act the
lease was cancelled , the appropriation being
'
ing made by the legislature for that pur
pose being exhausted in the payment. Thi3
report is on file in the office of the land
commissioner. The state is to be con
gratulated upon the consummation of such
a laudable object as that of cancelling this
lease , even at the expense it incurred.
CONVICT LABOR.
After the state had taken full control
and possession of the penitentiary and the
labor of the convicts , an effort was made
by the board of public lands and buildings
to again lease the penitentiary grounds ,
machinery and labor , thus returned to
the objectionable system from which -we
had just freed ourselves. As soon as the
intention of the board came to my notice ,
I took occasion to cummunlcate to them
my views in regard to the matter , in the
nature of a protest , asking that the state
should assume control of the penitentiary
and of the labor of Its convicts , except
as the same had been contracted out under
the old lease , and which by the terms of
the act for its cancellation , were to be
j continued in force during the period for
' which they were _ made. The board , how
ever , proceeded to again lease the peniten
j tiary grounds and property , as well as the
labor of its convicts , subject to the sub
contract mentioned. It occurred to me
, ' that -this contract did not properly protect
1 the interests of the state , was beyond the
authority of the board to make , and ought
not to be recognized as a legal and bind
ing pontract on the part of the state. The
warden , being of the same opinion , de
clined to recognize the validity of the con-
tract. The controversy was submitted to
the supreme court , and an opinion ren
dered io the _ effect that ti eattempt to J
cgaln lease the prison and the labor of
the convicts was illegal and that the
• board had exceeded Us authority.
After the decision of the supreme court ,
the board called In Mr. James Whitehead
and under the designation of agent of the
• board , he assumed to perform some duties
connected with the management of the
penitentiary , which might very . properly
have been done by the warden , under the
direction of the board. The report of the
• board's agent is presented with the report
of the land commissioner. I am satisfied
that he has accomplished nothing that
might not have been done by the warden ,
and that ! che expenses occasioned by his
appointment were utterly needless. It is
disclosed by the report of the agent that
there has been collected by him , as the
proceeds of the labor of the convicts ,
jll.2S0.73. Of this amount there was ex
pended J10.014.S7 , and paid Into the state
treasury ? 4,115.03. These expenditures I
regard as having been made without au
thority of law. All moneys derived from
the labor of com'icts should , It would seem ,
be turned Into the state treasury to be
drawn therefrom on approved vouchers ,
as In other cases. In the manner provided
by law. The board having the power to
make provisions for the proper employ
ment of Idle convicts seems not to have
exercised this authority , except temporarily
rily from time to time , as shown by 'the
report of the agent of the board. It also
appears that the contracts or agreements
temporarily entered Into were at a much
lower figure than heretofore secured.
NEW LAW NEEDED.
I have thought it proper to go Into
details to some extent regarding the his
tory and condition of this institution , as
it sesms necessary that there should be
an entire revision of the law respecting
its future management. Under the lease
system there have been established dif
ferent industries at the institution for the
purpose of utilizing the labor of the con
victs. These Industries have been main
tained by sub-contractors of the lessee
and are yet owned by them. There are
now in operation a broom factory , a har
ness factory , a cooper establishment anft
an iron foundry. The capacity of these
several industries Is perhaps large enough
to utilize all of the labor of the con
victs not required in the management of
the institution. If arrangements could be
made for the continuance of the work
performed In these different establish
ments at a reasonable rate of wages for
the labor of the convicts , with suitable
provisions and restrictions to fully pro
tect the rights of the convicts and the
morale and discipline , it becomes a ques
tion whether at the present time the state
should attempt to employ all convicts on
its own account. It would seem ad
visable to inaugurate some system look
ing towards the ultimate control on the
part of the state of all the labor of the
convicts and that the penitentiary should
be made self-sustaining , or as nearly so as
possible. Prisons in several states are ,
as I am advised , entirely self-sustaining.
In adopting a plan of conducting the pen
itentiary entirely < m state account , it
would seem the better part of wisdom to
begin cautiously and in a moderate way ,
and by careful experiment determine the
best method of utilizing the labor of the
convicts without unnecessary expense on
the part of the state or loss occasioned
by inaugurating an enterprise which can
not successfully be carried out. In this
is also involved the question of bringing
into competition convict labor with that
of free labor. The penitentiary should be
so conducted as to reduce to the lowest
degree possible , with due regards to the
interests of the state , all competition with
free labor. I can see no objections to the
inauguration of a system looking to the
manufacture and production of numerous
articles required in the maintenance of the
different state institutions as a means
of providing "employment for prison labor
and making the prison self-sustiining.
This plan has many warm advocates
among those who have studied the subject
of prison labor. This could be introduced
in a small way , and gradually developed
as wisdom and experience would simgett
until , p ; 2 haps , the larger portion cf the
Inmates can thus be employed.
This whole question is submitted to you
for your consideration with the hope that
a law will be enacted providing for the
state's management of the penitentiary ,
in a manner such as to place the insti
tution on a higher moral plane and pro
vide for the proper utilization of the
labor of the convicts while in confinement.
Hospitals for tlie Insane.
Nebraska has three hospitals for the in
sane , located at Lincoln , Norfolk and
Hastings , respectively. I choose to treat
all of them together and in a gene al
way. They have each been managed in
a wise , careful and economical mai.ner.
The professional treament has been of a
high order and the welfare of the un
fortunate wards of the state confined in
these institutions has been carefully
looked after in all resDects. A visit to
any cue of these institutions cannot but
ilmprcss one with the high professional
sk"ll and orderly management which char
acterizes it. The welfare of the inmates
is improved wherever possible and the ut
most kindness and gentleness in caring
for them prevails.
A considerable saving has been made in
the expenditures. Some further can
doubtless be made and yet I am inclined
to the view that in these institutions the
minimum expenditures in their mainten
ance has been very nearly reached. In
caring for the unfortunate insane , it is
apparent to the ordinary observer that
the necessary employes , as well as offi
cers of such an institution , are more num
erous than are required in any other
institutional work. The proposition of re
ducing expenditures further by a reduc
tion of salaries has been sugegsted to me.
I submit it to you for your careful and
judicious consideration , without recom
mendation on my part farther than to
say that I approve of any effort which
may be made to place all salaries and
wages of employes of the state upon a
basis of equality , as near as may be. done ,
with reference to the character of the
work to be. performed. "The laborer is
worthy of his hire"- and all servants of
the state , in whatever capacity employed ,
should receive fair and just compensation
and their services should be the very bast
obtainable , honestly , faithfully and in
telligently performed.
The management of each of these insti
tutions has made request for appropria.
tions to provide additional room. Each
is now crowded to its utmost capacity and
yet there are a number of insane persons
being cared for by the different counties
of the state who could be much better
and more economically treated in state
hospitals. Reasonable provisions should
be made to meet tha Increasing demands
upon these institutions in the most eco
nomical manner compatible with the wel
fare of the unfortunate for whom such
institutions are maintained. It will be ob
served that the population of the Hastings
asylum and the Lincoln hospital are
much larger than the Norfolk hospital.
The best results as to economy and effi
ciency in treatment and management can
be obtained as the population of these
Institutions increases up to a certain limit ,
which as yet has not been reached in
any of them. In view of the fact that
the institution at Norfolk has less room
than cither of the others , it seems to
me that if the legislature shall determine
to make appropriations for additional
room and it can be provided for with as
little cost at the Norfolk institution as
elsewhere , it would be advisable to en
large that institution until its capacity
has reached 350 to 400 inmates. The sug
gestions madebythesuperintendent of the
Lincoln hospital present some features of
economy in the way of procuring addi
tional room with a minimum ofexpense ,
which I submit to you for your careful
consideration.
The Hastings institution is denominated
an asyium for the chronic Insane and re
ceives Its inmates from the other two.
by transfer of Inmates after a period of
tlmo has shown that the "hope of recovery
is very small. Tlus hospital
for the insane , if the 'Intention of
the lawmakers In Its establishment bo
carried out to its fullest extent , will have
to have Its capacity still further increased ,
nithough It now has the largest popula
tion of the three. Some Interested In the
subject of caring for the Insane favor
the placing of all three of these Institu
tions on an equality , that Is , making them
all asylums for the Insane , without quali
fying the different degrees or types of in
sanity. I do not believe it would bo ad
visable to make any change of this kind
at this time and am inclined to the view
that the present arrangement has ad
vantages that perhaps overcome any dis
advantages or objections that might be
urged against its continuance. The re
quest for an appropriation for additional
buildings at the Hastings Institution is
with a view , I assume , of increasing Its
capacity so that It may be able to receive
inmates from the other two institutions
by transfer as rapidly as it shall appear
that the condition of the patients renders
it advisable to place them In this insti
tution for permanent treatment , as con
templated by the law creating it. It will
be obsevred , however , that no fixed or
definite rule can be made In determining
just what patient shall be transferred. It
will , therefore , fulfil reasonably well its
mission by receiving those seemingly best
adapted to transfer only so fast as va
cancies occur by death or recovery , after
its maximum number of inmates has been
reached. I Invite your attention to a care
ful perusal of the biennial reports of the
superintendents of these three institu
tions , which will glvo you much valuable
information.
--li I
State Industrial Schools.
By constitutional enactment the legis
lature may provide by law for the estab
lishment of a school , or schools , for the
safe keeping , education , employment and
reform of all children under the age of
sixteen years , who. for want of proper
parental care or other cause , are growing
up in mendicancy or crime. Under this
provision the Industrial school at Kear
ney , for both girls and boys , was first
established. Afterwards the legislature ,
in its wisdom , very properly made provis
ions for the separate institutions. The
one at Kearney was maintained as an in
dustrial school for boys , and another es
tablished at Geneva of the same char
acter for girls. The. reports of the super
intendents of these two institutions are
nuite comnlptA and slinw thorn in Yh > - in
a satisfactory condition. While I do not
think there has been any extravagance in
the management of either of these insti
tutions , I am of the opinion that there
is opportunity for greater frugality than
heretofore exercised without interfering
wltht the efficiency of the work or reach
ing the line of demarcation between par
simony and rigid economy. I invite your
attention to the improvements suggested
by the superintendents. Some of them
are well worthy of your careful consider
ation. I am prepared to favor appropria
tions for additional buildings at either
of these institutions.
Institution for Feeble-Minded Toutli
The work of the Institution for feeble
minded youth , located at Beatrice , ap
pears to be in a satisfactory condition ,
and I kn w of no suggestions for im
provements to make to you , unless per
haps It is along the line of more rig'd
economy in its management. I coincide
with the views of the superintendents
.respecting trie advisability of making
further provisions for a class of citizens
who are past what might be termed the
school period in an institution of this
kind and are yet not fit subjects to bo
again returned to the county of their
residence , there to struggle for a living
and be subjected to unfavorable com
ment , rendering trieir lives miserable. I
am impressed with the view that a large
number , afflicted as are these .wards of
the state , should be cared for and locked
after with the same spirit of humane re
gard as that given to the insane ; and
yet I am doubtful of the propriety of
this legislature making additional appro
priations sufficient to accomplish this
much desired result.
Institutions lor the Deaf and for the
Blind.
I desire to call the attention of the leg
islature to the urgent necessity for suit
able legislation making proper provisions
for the control , government and mainten
ance of the institution .for the blind at
Nebraska City and the institute for the
deaf and dumb at Omaha. These two in
stitutions are so nearly alike in character
that I am of the opinion that each can
be provided for by the passage of a single
act. In the treatment of thi3 subject , in
speaking of one. I take it that the same
remarks will apply as well to the other.
The law at present governing the insti
tute for the deaf and dumb is found in
chapter 22 of the compiled statutes of
1S93 ; while the law governing the institu
tion for the blind is found in chapter 42
of the same statutes. The lav. * for the
governing of the institute for the deaf
and dumb was passed in 1S75 , prior to the
adoption of our present constitution , as
was also the law governing the other in
stitution. The
present constitution pro
vides that a board of public lands and
.buildings consisting of the commissioner
of public lands and buildings , the secre
tary of state , treasurer and attorney-gen
eral shall have general supervision and
control of all buildings , grounds and lands
of the state , the state prison , asylums
and ail other like Institutions except
those for educational purposes. It was
intended by the original enactment of the
law governing these institutions that the
institute for the deaf and dumb should
be controlled by a board of directors , as
mentioned in the original act , and the
institution for the blind should be gov
erned by a board of trustees to be se
lected by tbe legislature , as therein pro
vided.
Under the provisions of the present con
stitution these institutions could no long
er be governed as originally intended ,
and in the case of the institute for the
deaf and dumb the board of public lands
and buildlng3 assumed control , the gov |
ernor exercising the authority to appoint
the managing officers. This Institution
has been conducted in this manner until
the present time.
Respecting the institution for the blind.
In an early decison of the supreme court ,
found in the ( > th Nebraska , page 2i.G , In
the case of State vs. Bacon , it was de
cided that this institution was not an
educational institution within the meaning
of the section of the constitution hereto
fore cited arid was within the control of
the board cf public lands and buildings.
Thereafter this institution was under the
control and management of that board ,
the governor appointing the managing of
ficer. In a recent decision , found in the
case of Curtis vs. Allen. 43 Nebraska. ISf.
the sunrcme court reversed the derision
above mentioned and held that this was
an educational institution and not und r
the control of the bonrd of public lands
and buildings.
SCHOOLS , NOT ASYLUMS.
That lvcth of these two institutions are
educational in their aims and objet ?
rather than asylums or permanent abiding
places far the unfortunate blind and def
it seems to me hardly admits of argu
ment. The latter decision of Vac supreme
court was in accord with the spirit and
intention of the law establishing and pro
viding fcr the maintenance of these tv.o
institutions and if either is found to bo
educational In its character by a proper i
tribunal , it must follow as a logl-ial se
quence that the other is likewise of the
same character ; the one being for the
purpose of educating the unfortunate
chlldrenof _ . tke state who have lost thor
r
sense of sight and the other for these
who have lost the sense of hearing. View
ing the subject in thl3 light , nnd yet not
wishtng to exercise any control or su
pervision that might not Ik'vo the s p-
proval of my fellow state officers com
posing the board of public lajids and
buildings , I requested the uttorney-gon-
cral for an opinion as to whether the in-
Ktltute for the deaf and dumb was of the
immc character and stundlng rs the Insti
tution for the blind ; In other worda ,
whethr It was an educational Institution
or an asylum , within the meaning of thft
constitutional provisions cited above. It *
an opinion .which will be found in his
report , the attorney-general pasaes upon
the question adversely to the position
taken by myself. With all duo deferens
to the opinion of the attorney-general , I
am convinced that both of these Institu
tions are educational In thor ! character
and should be treated us such. This view
is held by their superintendents and the
method of the work In operation In each
of them clearly demonstrates It to bj cor
rect.
After the latter opinion of the supreme
court respecting the legal status of the
institution fcr the blind , some effort was
made by the last legislature to enact a
law respecting Its government , bur for
some reason It failed to pass both branch
es of the legislature. An effort was then
made to fall back on the old law enacted
at the time of tno creation of these In
stitutions and elect trustees by a joint
session of the legislature , as provided by
the original act. This section having been
abrogated by the adoption of the consti
tution , I deemed it my duty to refuse to
recognize these so-called trustees or any
of their acts , believing the action of the
legislature to be in conflict with section
10 of article 5 of the constitutional provi
sion governing the appointment of offi
cers created by the constitution or by
law. This resulted in another case in the
supreme court , in which it w.w decided
that the position taken by mo in this
matter was correct and that the action
of the legislature was in conflict with
the constitution. The institution ha. ?
since been under the control of a super
intendent appointed by the governor anti
responsible to the chief excutive fcr the
proper discharge of his duties.
This state of affairs renders the situa
tion in regard to these two institutions
unsatisfactory. Assuming as I have that
the institute for the deaf and dumb is.
notwithstanding the action of the board
of public lands and buildings in assum
ing • • ontrol , In exactly the same sUuatI-
as the Institution for the blind , I recom
mend a revision of the two chapters re
ferred to. The revised law should provide
for the appointment of a beard of control
or trustees of three or five member. ; to
/erve ; fcr stated periods with compensa
tion fixed at a certain amount per diem ,
together with actual expenses , and not
exceeding altogether a fixed sum during
any one year. They should be required
to meet not oftener than once in every
three months for the purpose of examin
ing into the general condition cf these
institutions and taking such action as
Khali be deemed advisable for their proper
conduct and management.
Nobraskn Industrial Home , and Homo
for the Frlondless.
With a. view to aid in the suppression
of prostitution , the legislature of 1SS1 muds
provisions for the establishment of the
Nebraska industrial home , to provide
shelter , protection , employment and
means of self-support for penitent women
and girls. The government was placed
under the supervision of the "woman's
associated charities of Nebraska" and [
an appropriation of $15,000 was made to
purchase a site and erect buildings. This
Institution was located at Miltord and
bas sJnce been in operation , doubtless ac
complishing great good in the direction
intended by its founders.
In 1SS7 the legislature saw fit to make
an appropriation of $5,000 to establish ar.d
provide for the erection of a home for
the friendless at Lincoln , its management
to bo under the supervision of the society
of the home for the friendless. Hundreds
of homeless children and aged women
have been cared for at this institutum
during Its existence.
The similarity of these two institutions is
marked. Each originated with an organ
ized society of benevolently disposed ,
Chirstian women , who desired to benefit
society by rescuing fallen women and
providing a comfortable home for those
whom unfortunate circumstances had cast
helpless ujxm the 'world.
At each recurring session of the legislat
ure liberal appropriations .have been made
for the maintenance of these institutions ,
and at the present time the state is almost
the entire support of each of them. I am
in some doubt regarding the propriety of
the state assuming the financial responsi
bility and not having equally the respon
sibility for the government and manage
ment of them. The conditions under which
they are now managed and maintained
bring a sense of responsibility and prima
ry duty upon the part of the governing
officers to the associations referred to ,
rather than to the state. Heretofore there
has been more or less.contention and con
troversy respecting the authority of the
state in the management of them , though
I am pleased to , say that for the two
years past the relations have been of the
most pleasant and amicable character. It
seems to me it is a sound proposition ,
however , that the state should have the
complete and absolue control and manage
ment of all of its institutions and that
the officers should be responsible alone to
the state for the faithful and intelligent
discharge of their duties. The institutions
under consideration are of a peculiar
character , and as the women seem to be
better adapted to know the needs and best
methods of conducting them , it might be
well to povide for a government by a
board of women , who should be directly
responsible to the state for the manner
in which they discharge their duties. This
plan would serve the purpose and fulfil
the objects sought by their founders , and
yet bring the institutions within the com
plete control of the state , where , in my
judgment , they properly belong , if the
state is to be held responsible in any way
for their management and government. |
Control of Stnto Institutions.
The interest of the state in the. = e public
institutions amounts to millions e dollars
and there are expended annua. ! ; . - large
sums of money for their maintenance in
conducting the business for which they
were constructed. They should each be
governed and controlled in such a way
as to bring about the greatest harmony
• between the several institutions , as well
as the greatest economy in their manage
ment in the interest of the taxpayers
of the state. Their control and manage
ment heretofore by different bodies , and
as many different methods , has
been productive of much needless expense
and friction as to the policies which should
obtain. This fact , I doubt not. has become
quite apparent to every executive of the
< ; r.irf nf iX braska. Governor Bovd in his
closing message to the legislature speaks
of this matter as follows :
"And in this connection I would further
call your attention to the fact that there
are a number of state institutions over
which the authority of the executive has
been by the statute taken from him. In
the case of the industrial school for boys
at Kenarney. of the industrial school for
girls at Geneva , of the institution for
feeble minded at 'Beatrice and of one or
two others , the appointing power is
vested in the board of public lands and
buildings. This board is also by the consti
tution given full control of all institu
tions , and the executive has no check or.
them whatever. This should nat be so.
The governor should have the power to
appoint the superintendents and manag
ing officials in every one of the state in
stitutions ; and I would recommend that
this legislature so amend this statute , that I
the appointing power shall be fully restored - " |
stored _ to _ him. " . I
• * H
taw mmms 1.1 i i jm p * < < 3 _ _ H
"My predecessor. Governor Crounse. ' illce- , |
'
wise toc't occasion to express hit views on |
this samw subject In the following Ian * H
"In the case of some of the Institutions t , 9
of the Htate the governor appoints the 9 f M
superintendents nnd other oIIlcern , wliilu aK I
in others this authority is given to the - tS I
board of public lands and buildings. Thla ' jm k
lswrong. The governor should be charged Jvt M
with the appointment in all thc cases. t l
and ho alone be responsible to the people- t l
for hi * action. The responsibility for a J M
bad appointment should not bu a divided M
one. and one not directly traceable or j H
Xianrgcablc to any one person. Comldcra- H
lions of a political or partisan character H
may bo opposed to a favorable a eeptanco- J H
of this recommendation at this time , still H
sound legislation should not be avoided for H
fear of the loss of some partisan ndvant- 1
age. It Is unfortunate that the heads oC . M
some Institutions. In cases where fitness / H
and experience has been added , should ' H
become the sport of political fortune , and |
for good reason only should tried and ex- H
pcrienccd officers be replaced. " H
ONE RESPONSIBLE HEAD NEEDED. H
To all that has been said by these two H
gentlemen on this subject , I can give my i H
hearty approval. I am" quite well con J
vlnced that a more satisfactory udmlnls- H
tration of the affairs of these various in- H
stltutlons can be secured 'when thereij J
ono responsible head to whom each must |
bo required to account for the faithful H
discharge of the duties of his position , and / H
that a fixed and well defined policy dcrlv- / H
lug its source from one head -may be inaugurated - H
augurated which will work advantageously - H
ly in eacli of the Institutions. In my Judg- J 9
nient. it was never Intended by the constl- Bl
tutlou that the board of public lands and jfi l
buildings , therein created , should have tho1 1
control and supervision of the administrative - |
tive and governmental part of these dif- H
fcrent Institutions , but rather , as their H
name implies , ami as expressed in direcS * H
terms by the constitution , they should H
have control of the public lands and build- M
iiigs , to look after , to care for the repairs LJfiT 1
and improvements , the erection of new < t
buildings when provided for by the legislature - H
ture , and such other control and suporvis- j H
Ion as pertains to the buildings and lands H
belonging to the state" , as distinguished H
from the c.tre , maintenance and control H
of the inmates of such institutions. TherQ- j |
has been almost continually , slnco the enactment - M
actment of the law defining the duties of H
the board of public lands and buildings. . f M
more or less difference between that boant . j H
and the executive regarding the powera fs [ |
and duties of each , and this witho- ret- \ B
gard to whom may have been otvupyins m w
eacli of the respective posi- * AV
tions. This ought net to be permitted to- SL Mm ]
exist , nnd the duties of this board should < "C HH
bo made clear , specific and well defined. . % HJ
and provisions made so as to prevent anjr J HH
differences respecting the duties of execu- { HJ
tive officers and this as well as other" j M
boards created by statute. This board by I M
law is now required to approve vouchcre B
for expenditures made by many different , H
board * , as well as the vouchers required , ' < AV
in its own expenditures. An auditing- SVJ
board should doubtless exist to approve tho- HHJ
vouchers issued by the heads of the ]
different departments in state institutions , flH
as well as by boards when'created with HB ]
authority to incur indebtedness or make HJ
expenditures in the discharge of their du- | HH
ty. This board might very properly ba M
composed of two or three state officers , . HJ
the auditor being one , as these duties per HH
tain very naturally to the duties of hl3 ; AHJ
own office , 'each voucher upon the stato- AHJ
treasurer having to be presented to him AVJ
and there approved before the Issuance of HWJ
a warrant. The board of purchase and : HHJ
supplies Incurs much indebtedness in sup- HHJ
plying the different state institutions. jHHJ
This board should be- required to approver HH
its own vouchers and then be passed to- f AVH
the auditing board for final approval bo- Hi
fmv > . thf. Issuance ; of a warrant en th state .BHJ
treasury for the amount of the claim. HJ
I A very slight modification of the law re- HHJ
garding these subjects would obviate need HHJ
less confusion , and encourage a more har- , Hfl
menious administration ' of state affairs , . jHH ]
It would also provide for a better system ) ' jHVJ
of appoving vouchers upon which warranto • - AHH
are drawn against the state treasury. , / HHH
4 HHI
University of Nebraska. " * a HHJ
The state university is In a very flour ' HHJ
Ishing condition. The excellent work In HHJ
the educational fleld occupied by this in- HHJ
stitution under the direction and efficient H
management of thechancellor. . Is very HHJ
gratifying to all citizens of the state. The HHJ
high rank which it occupies among similar HJ
institutions of the land testifies to the/ H
excellent work which has been performed. HHJ
The university edue-ational
work has been H
extended so as to provide a practical train- HHJ
lng for a short period of time In the H
varied branches of agriculture for those/- H
who are unable to avail themselves of the H
opportunity offered to take the prescribed- H
course in the college of agriculture and yet AHJ
wish to prepare themselves for active and | |
intelligent work in uexicultiir.il tuirsni * ! H
In a state such as ours , where the agrlcul- HHJ
tural interests are paramount to all others AHH
it seems to me that an effort to promote H
this feature of university education must AHJ
find much cordial support by the people/ • HHJ
generally. In considering the needs of the HHJ
institution especial attention is requested HHJ
to this branch of the work which is now. AVJ
in process of development. HH
The law provides for two funds to bo- HHJ
used in support of this institution , lirst. AVl
the endowment fund , to be invested and' |
the interest of which only can lie used H
in its support ; and , second , the regent's HHJ
fund , which shall consist of the proceeds |
of the investment of the endowment fund. HHJ
the annual rental of the university and AHJ
agricultural college lands , the matricula- HHJ
tion anel other lees paid by students antt HHJ
a tax of three-eighths of one mill on the AVJ
dollar valuation on al ! taxable property. BHJ
From this it would appear that it was j H
the intention to have the university
sup- HHJ
ported from these funds rather than from- |
an appropriation from the general fund , H
unless for repairs and permanent improve- J
ments. The condition of the state's finan- HHJ
ces would seem to emphasize the necessity ftVJ
for adherence to this method of deriving
J HHJ
t
revenues for the current expenditures of" Ji 'A HHJ
the institution as nearly as possible , with- H
out injuring its usefulness. The estimate J
of expenditures calls for an appropriation. J
from the genefur.J ! cf 324.500 , ar.d. also , . |
$50,000 for pernjanent improvements. HHJ
"While I am strongly impressed with tho- J
necessity of economizing wherever possible • HHJ
in making appropriations for the expenses } j H
of state government. I bespeak for this HHJ
highly useful institution a liberal support , H
sufficient to maintain its various depart- HHJ
ments unimpaired. The *
report o the re- J
gents for the biennial period just closed &HH
will be submitted to you and is worthy of HHJ
your careful consideration. It is an irn- J
provement on all past reports In its thor- HHJ
cughness and the
attention given
to de- AHJ
tails respecting the past management and HHJ
the future requirements of our university , H
( cox-rrxcED ) HJ
Doctors in Ciilna. HHJ
European doctors in China find tho. H l
John Chinaman SOmewhat "S Patients. "
rarely obevs the in
"
structions how to take his medicine
but consults with
his
friends
on the-
subject , and ioUov.s the advice of-tho <
majority. As the native practitioners. '
furnish very large doses
, John is apt
to tmnk that the foreigner has been
mean in giving him
a small quantity
ana so taktetwoorthrce doses at once ! "
Women "eatingTrains. Vfl
Forrr Scott , Kan. , Jan. -Oiivc an *
Clan , Lowe , two ,
young
women who-
had been employed in
JvansasCitv left HH
therefor Hot Springs , Ark , , pVvimr "
their fares as far as 1'aola. Then beinS- HH
out of
money were put oft the Sf H
They boarded the next train HWl
and M *
until they were found near here t fl
arrested * * c uan. m
HJ
H J