New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-14
IRRESPONSIBLE CHARITTFS.

THE TRIBUNE recently called attention TO
the existing laws touching the supervision OF
the humane side Of our Charities, and sug-
gested the possibility that change OF system
is needed. There is another branch OF the sub
iect in which the need of change Is absolute
and pressing, and which should receive the
prompt attention of the Legislature. Consid-
cred from this side, cur State charitable nsti-
tutons are seen to be less orderly and bust
ness-like than certain branches Of the public
service in which corruption once roigned tri-
umphant.
Order has been brought out Of chaos in our
administration OF the canals. They are no
longer managed in three divisions by three
distinct and equal heads, with the same re-
suits that would follow if the New York Cen
tral Railroad had three division superlntcnd-
cnts. with equal power to start trains and run
m bills rs they chose. The State prisons are
no longer petty kingdoms. with 10 checks
mon The expenditures Of tie petty monarchs.
But the State charities, which cost the people
~ nuch money as both these branches Of the
public service combined, are, in some respects
Mt least, far behind them, in orderlmess, If
NOT in economy. The State pays for the main
tenance of its charitable institutions which
shelter the insane, the deaf and dumb, idiots,
etc, and for the support of inmates, mostly pau
Ders in other than State institutions, more than
81 600, 900 year, or as much as the JOINT
cxpenses OF the canals and prisons during the
last fiscal year. And yet this sum is ex-
pended practically without supervision or
check, and the necessary appropriations are
only obtained by species of lobbying, alike
demorallzing to the institutions and harass-
ing TO the Legislature. When money Is
needed. the head of the institution visits Al
bony. and perhaps wastes weeks and months
there which should be devoted to his duties at
home In this way the institution suffers; if,
on the other hand, he is led by local pride or
any other motive into making extravagant es-
Inmates. tie State suffers. The State has all
solusely no protection except In Its Leglsla-
ture. where there is little knowledge upon the
subiect. and less zeal ; whore there are always
some who are interested in pushing such an
anpropriation through, and seldom any who
win take the trouble to scrutinize 1t.
II is nearly year since this strange con-
dibon Of things was brought squarely before
the Legislature by an excellent report upon
tho charitable institutions OF tho State. made
Inv Mr.. L. X. Agar under tho direction OF
the Controller, and reinforced by some
wise suggemions from that official 1t was
then shown that not only was there no check
mon the expenditure of this large amount OF
State money, but that there was an entire alb
senee of uniformity IN tho reports OF these
institutions, which rendered 1t almost impos-
siblo TO make any intelligent comparison OF
their respective ADMINISTRATORS IL mus De
came difficult 60 discover, even after The money
had been expended, whether the management
Of any Institution had beeR economical oI
esre,ess. Ii was suggested by tie Controller that
system OF supervision could be created with
ons increasing the present number OF otdcilii
or causing additional expense. The State Boar'
of Charities could act as an Appropriation
Committee, and acs intelligcntly. The annua
appropriations desired by each ias'itaIl9'
could be Estimated and submitted to tn