St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-04
CORRECTIONS AND CHARITIES.
Constitution and Duties of the State
Board.

Although this board has been In existence
Tor nearly two years, and our readers have
beed made acquainted with It's operations
from time to time, few probably, are aware
Of its exact scope and functions. We print
an extract from the forthcoming legislative
manual, which describes clearly its constitu-
ton and duties.
This board was created by act Of the leg
islature, approved March 2, 1883. It's du-
ties are defined as follows: ITO investigate
the whole system Of public charities, and cor
regional illustrations OF the state, examine into
the condition aud management thereof, es-
specially OF iails and infrmaries, pnbiie hos
pitals and asylums; and, to secure accuracy.
uniformity and completeness in
statistics Of such institutions, the board
may prescribe such forms Of report aud
registration as they may deem esse tisl and
all plans for new jais and infrmaries q. e.
poor hOusesl shall, before the adoption OF
the same by the county authorities, be sub
United 10 said board for suggestion and eriti-
cism. The governor, in bis discretion, may
at any time order an investigation by the
board, or by a committee OF its members, OF
the management OF any penal, reformatOry
or charitable institution OF the state.'' The
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legislature. making "a full report OF all their
dOings, stating in detail all expenses in
CURED, and showing the actual
condition Of all the state and
county institutions, and making such sug-
gestions as they may deem advisable"
The law is carefully constructed to prevent
this board from becoming political Instru-
meut or an agent OF corruption. II is pro-
vided that the board shall consist of 'ssix
persons, not more than three of whom shall
be from the political Party;n that they shall
''serve without compensation, their travelling
expenses only being betrayed By the state -
and further that "nO member Of said board
OF their secretary shall be either directly or
indirectly interested in any contract for
building, repairing or furnishing any insti-
tuition, poorhouse or jail, which they are au-
thorized 20 visit and inspect; nor is any officer
of any such institution, jail or poorhouse eligi-
Bile to appointment on the board.
The secretary is the executive officer: he is
| appointed by the board and holds office, sub
iect 10 its pleasure. Besides performing the
clerical aud statistical work OF the board.
be is expected to visit annually every Jail and
poorhouse in the state, and quarterly each OF
the state institutions, subject to the inspection
Of the board; mem beers Of the board joining
visits sre made without warming; the inspee-
ton is thorough and complete.
The board is designed to CO operate with
the officers having charge Of the charitable
aud correctional institutions in the state for
the promotion OF efficiency and economy Of
administration; for the securing OF dit and
convenient buildings at reasonable cost; for
conserving the best interests of the needy
and dependent citizens of the state; at the
same time cutting of as far as possible the
springs OF pauperism and crime.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
D. G. Bell, Minneapolis; C. II. Berry, WI
mona; w. VI. Campbell, Litchfeld; NJ MEG.
Dana, St. Paul; r. Reynolds, Crookston; H.
K. Wells, Preston.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
President, Governor L. T. Hubbard, ex-
ofiicio; vice president, NJ. MEG. Dana, DID. /;
secretary, Rev. II. II. Hart.
Office of the board, in the capitol building,
St. Pau.