The Pratt Independent from Pratt, Kansas • 1

1 INDEPENDENT IN ALL THINGS NEUTRAL IN NOTHING. THE CITY OF MAKE PLACE TO LIVE IN THE PRATT INDEPENDENT. COUNTY OF PRATT COUNPRATT A GOOD TY THE BANNER IND KANSAS VOLUME I. KANSAS RECORD FOR '13 First Official Report Ever Compiled Makes Good Showing PUBLIC MORALS IN KANSAS In a Population of 1,600,000, Only 4,883 Prisoners in Kansas, County Jails. The Divorce Records The first official report of the publie morals of Kansas is condensed as follows: Prisoners in Kansas county jails- During 1913...

4,883 Prisoners awaiting trial. 367 Prisoners under 744 Boys under 21 sent to 13 Girls under 21 sent to 18 Total divorces 1913... .2,480 Liquor convictions 1913.... 166 That is the official record for Kansas in 1913, according to figures compiled by Senator J. W.

Howe, secre: tary to the board of control, from 102 of the 105 counties of the state. It is the first official record of divorces, county criminals and liquor convie-tion tions ever made by state officials. Every county in the state with the exceptions of Crawford, Labette and Greenwood, filed reports. The Crawford and Labette county records will probably make sone material increases in the number of county prisoners, liquor convictions and divorces. Greenwood is a more normal Kansas county and would make but slight change in the records, it is believed.

Estimating the reports from the three missing counties the number of prisoners in county jails during the year would perhaps be increased to a little more than 5,000, while the records for divorces granted in the state during the year might reach 2,700 or even 2,800. One of the really important features of the report is the showing that there are but few young criminals in Kangas. Less than three per cent of the men and women who are confined in Kansas jails during the year to await trial or serve sentences, were under the majority age of 21 years. Of course the record compiled by the state covers only prisoners in county jails and does not deal with police court cases and men and women who have been confined in the city jails of the larger towns of the state. Yet with its population of more than one and three-fifths million people, the total number of county jail prisoners in the 105 counties during the 12 months of the year will perhaps not exceed 5,000.

It is a record, Senator Howe believes, which but few states can show. In fact the control board secretary is inclined to the theory that Kansas may have this year established a brand new record in the suppression of crime wave. In the matter of liquor convictions under the state prohibitory law, there were but 766 state convictions, or an average of but slightly more than seven for each 103 counties which filed reports. The divorce record, however, is matter over which the state can ponder. reports from all counties, the record will easily show 2,600 divorces actually granted in 1913.

That does not touch the number of divorce suits filed and dismissed or compromised. It just means that 2,600 families voted- unanimously in most cases -that matrimony wasn't all that was advertised and decided to quit. Estimates made by the state board of health recently showed that there are from 15,000 to 18,000 marriages in Kansas each year. With the record of divorces obtained by the board of control about one of every six weddings in Kansas hag a final setting in the divorce court. Six Kansas counties--Cheyenne, Grant, Haskell, Morton, Stanton and Wichita -had no prisoners in their county jails during 1913.

Some of these same counties recently reported to the board of control that they have had no paupers in their poor farms for years. Out in Trego county there was but one prisoner in the jail last year. He was a weary, lonesome tramp who spent four days in the jail before the county officials decided that he was an unnecessary expense and should be released. Hodgeman county, though, is the prize moral county in Kansas. Her PRATT, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1914 Weddings of the Week Temperance Meeting Weather Report M.

L. McCray, of Cunningham and Arrangements are being made for a Weather report for the week ending Mary B. Murray, of Isabel, the Rev. temperance meeting at Eden Valley Sunday, January 4, 1914, prepared by Noah Florce, of Sawyer officiating. church in the north side of the T.

J. county, Arnold, local meteorological obHiram H. Scott, of Coats, and Lilon Monday evening, January 12. Earle server: lian Busch, of Coats, the Rev, Snyder, R. DeLay will be the speaker and will DATE MAX MIN RAINFALL SNOWFALL officiating.

illustrate his address by a Dec 29 36 18 0.00 0.00 Sullivan, of Chickasha, A good meeting is expected. Dec 30 30 16 0.00 Clarence A. stereopticon. 0.00 and Nellie A. Norville, of Mul- Dec 31 45 27 0.00 0.00 linsville.

Jan 1 42 28 0.00 0.00 Bauman, of Turon and Ger- Root and Edward McDermott were Jan 2 46 Erwin 32 0.00 0.00 trude Ellison, of Preston, the Probate business visitors here last week The Jan 3 37 26 0.00 0.00 Judge officiating for the last two McDermotts are in the real estate busi- Jan 4 37 28 0.00 0.00 couples. ness at Hutchinson. Jerry Harry left last week for eastM.L. Barrett. editor of the Arlington Miss Georgia Fletcher of Preston is ern furniture markets to 1 buy furniture Enterprise was a business visitor here visiting here with her sister, Mrs.

Chas. for the new store at Iuka. Mr. Harrel last Saturday. Cooper.

accompanied G. W. Doan. KANSAS, THE LAND OF MAGIC KANSAS is the naval of the nation. Diagonals drawn from Duluth to Galveston, from Washington to San Francisco, from Tallahasse to Olympia, from Sacramento to Augusta, intersect in its center.

Kansas is the nucleus of our political system, around which forces assemble, to which its energies converge, and from which its energies radiate to the remotest circumferance Kansas is the focus of freedom, which the rays of heat and light concentrated into a flame that melted the manacles of the salve and cauterized the heresies of State sovereignty and disunion. Kansas is the core and kernal of the country, containing the germs of its growth and the quickening ideas essential to its prepetuity. The history of Kansas is, written in capitals. It is punctuated with exclamation points. Its verbs are imperative.

Its adjectives are superlative. The commonplace and prosaic are not defined in its lexicon. Its statistics can be stated only in language of the hyperbole. The aspiration of Kansas is to reach the unattainable; its dream is the realization of the impossible. Alexander wept because there were no more worlds to conquer.

Kansas, having vanquished all competitors, smiles complacently as she surpasses from year to year her own triumphs in growth and glory. Other states could be spared with irreparable bereavements, but Kansas is indispensable to the joy, the inspiration, and the improvement of the world. Notwithstanding the mishaps of husbandry and the fatalities of nature, it is a modest and conservative statement that no community ever increased so rapidly in population, wealth and civilization, nor gained so great an aggregate in so brief a time as the State of Kansas. There is no other state where the rewards of industry have been so ample, and the conditions of prosperity so abundant, so stable, and so secure as here. And this is but the dawn.

We stand in the vestibule of the temple. Much less onehalf the surface of the state has been broken by the plough. Its resources have been imperfectly explored. It has developed at random. Science will hereafter reinforce the energies of Nature, and the achievements of the past will pale into insignificance before the completed glory of the century to come.

New School House in Coats The lively little city of Coats is going after a new school house. An election will soon be called to vote $13,000 for its construction. Coats is one of the best little towns in Kansas and is surrounded by a splendid farming country. Practically everyone down in that section of the country is prosperous and contented. The civic spirit of the town is of a high order and the town has just commenced to grow, Stores to Close.

An egreement has been reached among the different merchants by which all the grocery, dry goods, furniture, hardware, clothing and shoe stores and the butcher shops will close at six o'clock from now until April first except on Saturday, and Rock Island pay days. This closing order will include about every store in the city except drug stores and confectioners. The movement is one that has been sought for sometime by a good many of the merchants and all are very glad that this step has been taken. R. H.

Christie and Gr Sneed who circulated the petition met with only the best of success. Who Was the Author? The eloquent and beautiful tribute to Kansas, published in this issue of The Independent, was written by a famous Kansan. It is one of the gems of literature and stands unrivaled in a field by itself. To the studen of the Pratt County High School who first sends to this office the name and a brief biography of the author will be sent a copy of The Independent for one year. Who will be the first to respond and get the reward Mr.

H. H. Scott and Miss L. Busch were married at Pratt last night, after which they went to the home of E. Jenkins where a large crowd of relatives and friends had assembled to celeprate the occasion.

A fine supper was served and all spent an enjoyable evening. The Conrant with their many friends extends congratulations and best wishes. -Coats Courant, Dr. D. G.

Gibbons, of La Junta, Col. is here and his many friends are glad I to see him home once more. NUMBER 6 recrod to the board shows that there has been but one prisoner confined in her county jail in the last 12 years and the reporting official adds that criminal lawyers would starve to death on Hodgeman county business. The Athletic Park Practically every person in Pratt endorses the action of the board of education in acquiring possession of the necessary ground for an athletic park to be maintained in connection with the Pratt county High school. Now since the park is an assured thing it is necessary to make it one of the best and most attractive athletic fields in the state.

The members of the board of education are busy men. Their jobs carry no salary. The time given to the prosecution of their duties is a free will offering to the community. The Independent believes that they would gladly consider any suggestion that might be made by any of" our citizens in regard to the planning and building of this park. The park is a public enterprise and every person in this city is necessarilly interested in its success.

The Independent would like to see the students of the High School, especially, take more than ordinary interest in the matter. No doubt some of the students can give many sensible and practical plans as to its construcand equipment. We also believe that the board of education would welcome any suggestions that might make and give the same careful consideration. The Independent, therefore, would like to hear from the boys and girls who compose the membership of the school as to just what kind of an athletic field in their judgment would be the best and most practical. A number of the students are able to draw up plans and make all kinds of suggestions.

This paper will take pleasure in co-operating with them and will publish anything they want to say about this important department of the school. Who will be the first to send to the Independent drawings or plans of a modern athletic field? A Twenty Year Record Kansas farms have produced crops worth more than four and -third billion bollars in the last twenty years, according to figures compiled in the office of F. D. Coburn, secretary of the state board of agriculture. The compilation 1S contained in the quarterly report of the board, for the quarter ending December, 1913.

Incidentally the period coincides with the career of Secretary Coburn as secretary of agriculture in Kansas; it was twenty years ago next week that the agricultural celebrity first entered on his duties as secretary and advertiser of Kansas and her products. The exact figures as compiled by Secretary Coburn are $4,339,409,154. The value is made up on the price at home, not on the Kansas City, Chicago or other markets, according to Secretary Coburn. The total valuation does not inclnde live stock kept over each year. 'The annual average value for these twenty years is given as the value of the same crops listed for 1913 is given as $241,466,357.

In the printed report also are given a number of interesting statistics, including the population reports by cities and counties, the agricultural and live stock valuations for each of the last twenty years, and other interesting statistics on Kansas. Copies of the report may be obtained from the office of the state board of agriculture. The aggregate crop values for the twenty years from 1894 to 1913, inclusive, follows: Winter wheat 869,400,864 Spring wheat 7,817,080 Corn 1,062,435,530 Oats 162, 767,603 11,796,415 Barley 22,977,827 Emmer 1,635,563 Buckwheat 86,569 Irish potatoes 63,122,957 Sweet potatoes 5,621,458 Castor beans 278,919 Cotton 77,354 Flax. 17,457,523 Hemp 21,394 Tobacco 154,991 Broom corn 11,815,041 Millet and Hungarian 38,036,427 Sugar beets 2,488,481 Sorghum. 71,461,928 Milo 9,197,881 Kafir 138,117,776 Jerusalem corn.

1,274,737 Tame hay 177,411,709 Prairie hay 127,748,418 Live stock 1,490.536,787 Horticultural products etc 45,667,932 Grand $4,339,409,154 Annual average. 216,970,458 MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT Proposition of Company Not Very Favorably Received WILL BE DULY CONSIDERED General Disposition to Give the Old Company a Fair Deal, but City's Rights to be Considered Also. The proposition of the Pratt Light Ice Company, which was published in last week's Independent, does not seem to meet with the approbation of a good many of our citizens. But the fact that the commission has taken the people of Pratt into their confidence and is willing to be governed very largely by their recommendations indicates that the commissioners are anxious to settle this perplexing problem in the best porsible manner. As we stated last week we believe that there is no desire among the people of Pratt to build a separate municipal plant to be conducted in opposition to the present company.

But there is no question in regard to the sentiment in favor of municipal ownership of this important public utility. That matter was thoroughly discussed during the recent election, and the voters decided in favor of a municipal plant by a popular vote. The only thing to be decided now is whether a new plant be constructed or the present plant purchased and operated by the city. In settling this question both sides should be considered. The old company should be given a fair deal and at the same time all the rights and interests of the city be safely guarded, From the proposition submitted by a representative of the company they are willing to sell plant and equipment to the city for a fair and reasonable appraisal.

But a condition is attached to this agreement which should be carefully considered. The Pratt Electric Light Ice Company is a dual corporation. That is, it manufactures ice in connection with the manufacture of electricity. Under the present laws the city has no legal right to embark in the ice business. The maintenance of such an industry is prohibited by the state constitution.

The company, therefore, agrees to sell the city the lines and distributing system of their plant, and an option on the purchase of the ice plant at a fair praisal whenever the city can legally embark in the ice business. But until that time arrives that "the city buy the electric current from the present company, at the switch board, at a fair and reasonable price, to be determined by expert electrical engineers." But there are some very objectionable features to such an agreement. There is no telling when the city be empowered to go into the ice business and until that time arrives, the city would be in partnership with the present corporation and tied up with a contract of indefinite duration. It is true a sentiment exists in Kansas for municipal control or ownership of ice plants. A bill was introduced in the last legislature giving municipalities that power, but it never got beyond the committee.

It is not at all likely that such a law be passed in the near future. Furthermore the veters of this city did not decide at the recent election to go into the ice business. The only thing discussed or decided was the municipal ownership of the electric light plant. The Independent is not in favor of drastic measures in this matter, however, and we are decidedly opposed to anything that would have a tendency to rob the stockholders of the old company of any of their legitimate rights. The company should be fairly treated, but at the same time the rights of the city are paramount and should be given at least an equal consideration.

The commission is confronted with a grave responsibilty and in settling this question is entitled to sane and temperate criticism. The fact that they are willing and anxious to have the question discussed in all its angles at a public meeting of all realize our citizens is an indication that they. their responsibilities and obligations to all parties concerned. It is hoped that the meeting of the Commercial Club held for the purpose of considering the electric light company's proposition be well attended and that there be a fair, impartial and commonsense discussion of the whole matter. The crop of possible candidates for the office of sheriff promises to be an unusually big one.

There are already candidates who have made known their intentions to run. The New Currency Law. One of the clearest and briefest explanations of the new currency law, recently passed by congress, was written by E. L. Myer, of the First National Bank, Hutchinson, and is reproduced in this paper for the benefit of a number our readers who didn't have the time to read the original bill: The new banking law enforces conservatism and reasonable restrictions which will insure safety to depositors, with increased usefulness to the public.

It practically prevents commercial panics, which always occured from a currency famine during harvest crop movements. The highest commercial authorities admit that the Banking Law is fourfifth good. This should give the pessimist confident hope that minor faults can be corrected. The foundation of the new currency system is sound and safe and as secure as any of the currancy systems of Europe. This currency is secured by gold deposits, guaranteed by the goverment and will expand and contract to meet the demands of commerce.

The reserve money of all the national banks will be deposited with the Federal banks and the government will be mobilized as in a great reservoir. It was formerly locked up in sub-treasuries and bank safes, and was no more use to the people than so much lead bullion, a buried treasure. The greatest boon toour banking system is the rediscounting of the prime commercial paper and bills of exchange for which the regional federal reserve bank will furnish cash to the member banks. The ability of our banks to meet sudden demands for currency is of supreme importance. It will prevent commerclal panics by enabling the banks to respond promptly to the demands of the agricultural, indutrial and commercial industries of the country Under the new currency system, banks will buy and sell these commercial bills, acceptable to the federal reserve banks, so that the surplus funds of one state will be available in some other state where the crop movement requires the money.

When Texas is moving hers, Iowa, or some other state, has surplus cash which would be available for this crop movement. When the cotton crop is marketed, this surplus cash would again be available to the banks of Iowa to move their corn crop. Heretofore our surplus money, accruing from our harvest, found its only resting place in Wall Street, and was eaten up by bulls and bears. Under the new law, it will be unlawful for reserve banks to loan on stocks, bonds and industrial securities. The regional bank at once puts an impediment on speculative banking.

Those whe expect easy money for speculation will be disappointed, but the wheels of trade-commerce will be given increased action and the security and the efficiency of credits in all states in the Union will be increased, Makes Big Gain. The receipts of the post office are the very best business barometer a city can possess and the receipts of the local office only show what wonderful progress this city is making. There has been an increase in the postal receipts here of more than ten per cent for the year of 1913 over 1912. This simply shows the money increase and the business increase has been even greater. The reduction made in the rates and which went into effect the first of January 1913 make the showing look smaller than it really is.

It is estimated that the actual increase has been nearly twenty percent. The report for the fourth quarter for 1913 shows a loss over the fourth quarter for 1912 yet while the money reciepts were not as great the amount of mail matter handled was even greater. The following is a comparative statement for the two years just passed. 1st quarter 1913 3262 21 2nd quarter 1913 3258.61 3rd quarter 1913 3140.61 4th quarter 1913 3340.24 Total 13001.67 1st quarter 1912 2725.65 2nd quarter 1912 2920.92 3rd 1912 3027.88 4th quarter 1912 3389.77 Total 12064.22 Increase over 1912, 937.45 Branching Out George W. Doan Company, of this city, are making arrangenents to establish a branch undertaking and furniture establishment in luka.

The members of the luka store will be George W. Doan and H. F. Williamson, of this city, and Jerry Harrel of Iuka. The management of the new store will be entrusted to Mr.

Harrell, who is well and favorably known in luka, having been a resident of that place practically all his life. One of the largest business rooms in that town has been secured and Mr. Doan left town last Friday for the eastern markets to buy a large and complete line of furniture. The stock will be absolutely new much larger and more comprehensive than usually carried in towns the size of Iuka. The new store will also conduct an undertaking department managed by J.

K. Sappington, who is connected with the store at this place. The new firm expects to be ready for business in about three weeks. Mrs. Robt.

Brown and children returned home Sunday night after a visit with relatives at Kansas City, Mo. Emergency Treatment For Kansas Live Stock. From the Kansas Industrialist. When something goes wrong with the stock on the farm the owner should be prepaired to give emergency treatment while waiting for the veterinarian. An emergency box filled with simple remedies and a few instruments should be kept it the barn for use in such cases.

The list need not be very expensive. The remedies can be bought at the local drug store, while the instruments, if not obtainable there, can be ordered from any reliable mail house. REMEDIES. 1. Colic remedy (put up by some standard company) 2.

Cathartic (tablets of bolus) 3. Soap 4. Fly or mercury 5. Dusting powder (formic chloride compound) 6. Antiseptics: Carbolic peroxide of 7.

Carbolized vaseline ointment. 8. Soap. Total. INSTRUMENTS.

Cannula. fever forceps and silk knife. absorbent cost of the would thus be could be lowered quantities and cheaper this would hardly always the cheapest. Mrs. H.

F. Pratt in a few western trip. San Diego, to make a leisurely famous Southern visiting points in Arizona. It is gone several months, them back this may be a month months. order 2.00 1.00 .50 1.00 .50 .50 .50 .25 .25 6.50 .50 3.00 3.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 .75 1.00 .75 .50 1.00 13.50 and $20.00.

buying instruas exfor objecbut journey CaliforNew intenuntil again. pos-15 Have Spelling Contest. of 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. Trocar Milk Probang. Haemostatic pairs) Needles Rubber Operating Pig Veterinary Hoof Antiseptic and The total instruments This cost smaller ments, tho the best is Mr.

and pect to leave an extended tive point is they intend towards that nia city, Mexico and tion to be Kansas calls Hank says sibly three )two cotton remedies about by pay, Williamson days Their Californie, Texas, their or home or County Superintendent C.E. Bloxom announces that the County Teachers Association will arrange for a medal to be contested for by the pupils of the grade schools of the county in a spelling contest to be held in each township. The abree best spellers will be selected for each district to contest in the final match to be held in this city The final match will be held about the time of the closeing of the rural schools which will be early in the spring. The medal will be awarded to the best speller in the grade classes, all of which will be below the high school, contestants being allowed to enter from one of the grades. The winner of the 1914 trophy will be allowed to keep possesion of it for one year at the end of this time it is to be surrendered to the association for the next years contest.

The winner will not be allowed to contest in the following match but may enter any subsequent contest. Plans are also being laid to hold spring school rallies in each of the towns outside of Pratt. In these contests the prizes will be of merchandise the same to be donated by the different merchants. It is the desire of the association to have the merchants co-operate with the teachers in this plan and make it a big event in the school life, This plan for a school rally day in which it will include feats in athletics should meet with the hearty approval of. every parent and they with the teachers should do all in their power to kcep the movement alive and growing..