Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-01-11
Gov. BegOle,s Message.

dent administration OF state affairs.
Gov. BegOle's Message.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and Of the House Of Rep
reSentdtiUtS.
We have assumed the duties assigned us by
the sovereign people of the State of Michigan
you TO serve them as Legislators and / as Chief
Executive. The terms Senator and Represent
alive indicate somewhat the duties with which
you arc entrusted, but the word Governor
seems harsh and inappropriate. A designation
that would more nearly define my real position,
as principal servant, would be moro agreea'
BILE.
] have had but little opportunity to examine
specially and in detail the many interests for
which legislation or appropriations may be re-
quired, and must leave detailed statements of
funds and management to my predecessor, who
has had two years. experience and familiarity
with the workings of the State government and
the needs of its institutions. What | say must
be somewhat general, and such as might sug-
gest itself TO any intelligent citizen.
No political organization is TO be held re-
sponsible for my views on any subject The
candidate OF two political parties, and elected
by the votes of mel of all parties, cannot af
lOTu, nor uO ucslrc, W speak lTOHl UeTtly
partisan standpoint, but rather as citizen,
desiring, first and supremacy, the prosperity of
the state and the welfare and happiness of its
inhabitants.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The results OF the recent elections in the sew
eral states have called the attention of men of
all parties to the need Of q reform in the civil
service that shall place the holding of office on
flrmer basis and diyest 1t of its present strict
ly partisan character. Bowling TO the popular
will in this regard, the leaders OF the two great
parties in Congress have engaged in a struggle
as to which shall be foremost in this reform.
To inaugurate civil service reform in Michi-
gan by perpetuating in office the men Of one
party, appointed under system which even
their own party leaders denounce, would not
be in accordance with the popular will, as indi-
Gated by the results of the elections. While no
removals shall be made for opinions sake, l
shall, as terms of Office expire, endeavor to
nominate good men for the positions thus made
vacant, regarding their personal character for
integrity and their fitness for the place as of
more Importance than their services In behalf
of any party or candidate.
HUMANE INSTITUTIONS.
Our humane institutions compare favorably
with those of any other State, and will, 1 feel
assured, be literally dealt with by YOU. | be-
lieve the State should care most tenderly for
her unfortunate children, following, however,
the example of the Master, who, though able
to supply the wants of the people by miraculous
power, was careful of the fragments that moth
In be lost"
The Trustees OF the Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb at Flint, and Of the School for the
Blind at Lansing will present their usual re-
ports and ask appropriations.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The State Public School, at Codwater, Is a
temporary home for the uncared for chill
dren OF the poor, as yet untainted by crime.
Most OF them, from their neglected condition
and unfavorabe surroundings would probably
have become inmates OF our poor houses, re-
form schools, or jails, so that the State Public
School is not so much charity as an economy
on the part of the State The children receive
an education, are taught habits of industry, and
retained in the school only till homes can be
procured for them In respectable families Since
its opening in 1874 ,23l children have been adj
mitted, OF whom 81 remain.
1t has always been n source OF qualification
to me that as amember Of the Senate of 1871
assisted in organizing this school. Since its
opening have watched its progress with es-
pecial interest, and have been gratifed with the
results From the biennial report of its Board
you will obtain an interesting summary of its
operations and needs.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The Michigan State Reform School for Girls
meets long felt want, and can, from person
al observation, commend its general features.
The cottage system has its advantages in per-
hitting grading Of the inmates, and yet
doubt very much the propriety of committing
youthful prostitutes picked up from the streets
of our cities In the same institution with home
less girls convicted of petty larceny. / cannot
believe that the the latter will be improved by
contact with the former class, and while in favor
of caring for both, think 1t should be done In
separate institutions.
am satisfied that there is much in a name,
and that the term Reform School is associated
in the popular mind with crime and disgrace.
As it is the object of this institution to train up
its inmates to become respectable women, 1t
would be point gained to prevent, as far as
possible, any stigma attaching itself to them
on account If their former residence in a Re-
form School. / would therefore recommend
that the name of this institution be changed to
1.-THE State Industrial School for Girls"
THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Among the various State institutions have
have felt deeper interest than the State Re
form School at Lansing. l was delighted
when its prominent prison features were
abolished, and 1t assumed more the form OF an
educational institution. While l can
most heartily endorse its present man.
vision should be made for teaching the boys
common and useful trades. / know it is urged
that such manufacturing establishment can
not be made TO pay expenses; but neither does
the common school education 1t affords bring
cash return, or ''pay expenses" except as IL
tends to help them toward a noble manhood.
The knowledge of good trade, with the indie
pendence which 1t affords, may tend quite as
much to save the youths trained In this institu
ton from evil associations and from falling in
to old habits, as arithmetic or grammar. /
think therefore that trade as well as an edu-
cation should be provided for.
The same considerations that induced me to
favor change In the name OF the school at
Adrian, lead me to recommend that the name
of this institution be changed to ''The State
Industrial School for Boys"
AsYLUMs FOR THE INSANE.
The Michigan Asylum at Kalamazoo and the
Eastern Asylum at Pontiac, are admirably man.
aged institutions, creditable alike TO the State
and to the intelligent gentlemen who compose
their boards OF trustees. Each has a corps of
physicians and attendants, devoted
to the humane work OF caring for the insane,
and believe conscientiousy discharging their
duties TO the unfortunate ones under their
care, and TO the State. The reports containing
the estimates for these institutions will be laid !
before you, and no doubt receive your favorable
consideration.
The report of the commissioners for the |
Northern Asylum for the Insane shows that a |
site has been selected near Traverse City, One |
Of the commissioners having an interest I'm 1
part of the land TO be purchased, and, from the |
general plan OF the grounds, essential to their |
legislation is asked TO permit the |
purchase and is, under the circumstances, rec |
commended
1t appears from the report that the amount |
appropriated for the building is 100000, aud |
that in 1873 a similar sum was appropriated for |
the erection of the Eastern Asylum at Pontiac. |
From this the Commissioners have inferred |
that a building OF the substantial character, |
capacity, and general design, as to the complete |
facilities for treatment and number of classific-
atoms, Of that constructed at Pontiac under