Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-09
PROPERLY LOCATE IT.


The State cannot afford to make mis-
takes. Whenever it is warned by compe-
tent authority that in the important act
of locating State institution it is about
to commit blunder, perseverance in it
becomes worse than an unwise course.
The State has made grave error in locat-
ing the Home for Predetermined Chill
dren, and in another colamn of this issue
this error is made perfectly clear To the
calm reading and careful consideration of
the statements there presented we invite
that Judicial attention and dispassionate
judgment which characterizes the course
of the true legislator.
The State has not proceeded SO far in
the matter that it cannot retrace its steps.
The dictates of justice and oommonest
economy point out the action that should
be taken. The institution has been located
In Santa Clara county in most ill-chosen
spot, where nature does not favor proper
drainage or water supply. To overcome
these will involve artificial means at cost
SO great that it cannot be even conjectured.
Including the original purchase there has
been expended $4,000, and one third of
that amount has been lost in efforts to
overcome natural defects. To retrace the
steps taken will involve no further loss;
to continue the location will be to sink a
very large sum.
The policy of the State has been wisely
declared to he to provide for the feeble
minded, as it does for the insane, the deaf
and dumb and the blind. 1t is a policy
dictated by the humane in our nature and
has been pursued by many States and by
all civilized countries of any considerable
maturity. The Trustees of the institution
now so ill-located in Santa Clara county
represent the State, and it must be conceded
act for what they believe to be the very
best interests of the people. A majority of
the Board, men and women of high
character, infiexible integrity and philan-
thropic spirit, favor change of location,
and will ask of the Legislature an appro-
priation adequate to the needs of the pol
icy of proper location elsewhere and of
caring for the hundred and more unfortu-
mates already under their care If human
itarian considerations are to move us
to care for these wards of the
State, it should justify us in that liberality
of expenditure that will adequately ac-
complish the ends in view. These are
laudable purposes; their attainment is the
highest testimony to our human nature,
and to the sense of duty that actuates the
people of the State in caring for those
who are of necessity State charges. In
this matter let the people entertain the
hope that before its supreme Importance
all local and selfish interests will sink
out of sight; that the legislators now as
sembled will rise superior to all other con-
siderations than those that involve the
best care of the unfortunates and the best
and wisest location of the Home.
There is, as is well known, warm con-
test over its relocation. That it should be
located without Santa Clara county is the
profound conviction of the best friends of
the institution. For it is not expected
that Santa Clara sentiment will be delocaI-
lied. That county has the Normal School
and the Agnew Asylum. 1t will properlv
enough ask for their adequate support, but
the fear is strongly manifest in the senti
ment of that county that the demands of
Junior will be at the expense of the two
senior institutions. 1t is in itself a CO.
gent reason why a number of public insti-
tutions should not be located in one county.
since they are liable to be put in antaco.
nlsm to each other. Hence it is not at all
likely that self-interest will permit Santa
Clara sentiment TO do Justice to the feebler.
most needy and youngest of the three insti-
tutions within its bounds, and the latter
should therefore be located elsewhere and
SO endowed by the State as to insure the
accomplishment of the high purposes of
which 1t was born. The subject is second
IN Importance to no other of similar char
acter that will come before the Legisla-
ture and must not be put aside by any ex-
cuses. Convinced of the urgency OF the
question, the justice of its claims and the
unquestionable mistake the State has al
ready made, We shall take up the matter
again and in that detail that is essential
to Its clear comprehension. We have faith
In the fine sense of justice of Californians.
and the imperative obligations of duty. and
that the Legislature will divest the subject
of localism, and deal with it free from anv
other influences than those that look to the
best interest of the State and its needs