The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-01-24
THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

1t is matter of record that four years
ago the Democratic party, which was then
in the ascendency in Indiana. as it Is now,
was fully persuaded that change in the
method OF providing officers for the Benev-
client Institutions of the State was impers-
lively demanded, and that a change IN the
management of the institutions would
prove beneficial. Acting upon the convlc-
ton the required changes were made, and
the management passed into Democratic
hands One full term under the
new arrangement has expired. The record
is made up and is before the public. 1t in
vites scrutiny and challenges criticism. If
the new methods and the officials selected
by the Democratic party. four years ago,
have not met public expectations, those who
demand radical changes ought to be able to
point out the delinquencies. Indeed, they
are bound by every consideration of fealty
TO the people, 70 the unfortunate sons and
daughters of the State for whose good the
Benevolent Institutions were established
and have been maintained, to state
specifically in what regard the law is de-
ficient and IN what particulars inefficiency
has been developed on the part of the Of
fcials in charge. IL it be discovered that
the law is defecsive. as possibly it may be,
amendment is in order. If officials have
disregarded the law-have failed to dis
charge their duty with such fidelity to the
best interests OF the institutions as the pub
lie had a righg to expect and exact under
the law, then such officials ought TO
re removed. Such propositions the
people of Indiana, the taxpayers,
understand. There is no demsgoguery in
them, no ciIcumlocution. no hedging nor
lodging. They discard duplicity and dis
dsin subterfuge. In all matters where pub
lie trusts are in question the records OF of
fetal conduct are the highest authority that
can be produced. When q record is not i'm
peached there is no such thing as going be-
hind il. 1t can neither be gotten out of the
way nor be dwarfed in its proper proper
tons. 1t will not down at the bidding of any
one. nor can it be tabooed to crafty spite, ma.
levolence, or mere personal ambition. A bad
record kills, as it ought to do, and a good
record vitalizes and elevates, as it ought to
do. To subject men to ostracism when their
record triumphautly demonstrates they have
en- true to every public trust. faithfully
performed every public obligation, and,
being creatures Of law, have fulfilled the law
in spirit and letter. is to reverse every pro-
cess of justice in dealing with public serv-
ants
What are tho facts relating to the man
agement of the Benevolent Institutions oi
the State during The past four years. Has
any man or set OF men proclaimed that in
efficiency exists. or has appeared at any
time since the present officials took controls
Nothing of the sort. On the contrary. all
prudent men Of all parties are gratified and
satisfied. The law has been faithfully adj
ministered. There has been system, frugal
ity, vigilance and fidelity. The money Of
the State has been carefully and faithfully
expended tor the good of the unfortunate,
for whom it was appropriated. In every
department AGILITY in supervision, educs-
ton and medical treatment has been har
moniously blended with those qualities Of
Tie heart nLiCu bi'O w ehO tOAn "NHN'N
lence" significance akin to sacredness.
In view of the tact that Governor Porter
and his party are just now so enamored
with civil service reform, il is surprising thai
he did not rise to the height OF the occasion
and nominate for confirmation by the SEN
ate the gentlemen who have discharged theii
duties so well. To have done so would have
been strictly in line with the utterances o
his party press, and would have proven hin
a civil service reformer in whom there is nj
guile. But, alas he was not equal 70 thu
occasion, and the golden opportunit,
has passed. He is on the record a
being opposed to The new departure
Of bis party, and no squirming nor specia