The record-union., 1891-02-28
THE CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
BILL AGAIN.

Dill Is, in fact, built upon the laws and
experience of a large number of States
having such charity boards, and in all of
lishment.
The Mail objects first that the board
will have no power to carry its decisions
into effect. The response is, that it will
by ascertainment of facts present to the
executive and legislative departments the
data upon which State aid should be
given or withheld. At present State aid
is practically indiscriminate and depend
ent upon the representations of each in
stitution and the skill of it's managers in
manipulating legislative action.
If the new board accomplished nothing
more than the disclosure of the truth, it
would doa work fully compensating for
know, nor is there now any channel
through which we can ascertain, the cost
of crime to the people; we do not know
nor can we ascertain under our present
system to what extent public charities are
imposed upon; whether the institutions
receiving State aid receive more than is
necessary to care for the inmates, or too
little-that is, our present information
concerning all charity institutions is in
adequate and unsatisfactory, and presents
us with none of the experience of other
States.
Our contemporary objects that no spe-
cial qualifications are required for MEM
bership in the board, and suggests that
the bill should provide that the members
should be of certain callings or vocations.
But the thoughtful will understand that it
will be better to leave the choice of the
board free to the appointing power. 1t
by no means follows that the board will
be better constituted if its membership is
divided up between lawyers, builders,
merchants, plumbers and physicians"
This is, however, a mere matter of de-
tail, the chief aim is to secure persons
upon the board who are sincerely inter
| ested in conserving the interests Of the
State, who are philanthropic, broad
minded, humane and generous, and yet
who have the courage to expose the truth
to publicity, whatever it may be.
Our contemporary inclines to the belief,
if we correctly interpret its expressions,
that the board is by the bill given too
sweeping powers of inspection of all
charitable, penal, reiormatory and other
institutions supported i'll whole or in
part by the State. But we submit that
there should be no State institution not
open at any and all times to searching
inquiry and inspection in all its depart
ments. The only inspections now pro-
vided for are such hasty glances as the
Governor may be able to give. The last
Governor of the State was compelled to
commit even that power mainly or large
ly to subordinate in his office. Such in
spection as is now made is formal and
brief, and cannot be thorough; it is al
ways prepared for and practically value
ifornia has had will freely testify. Under
the Preston bill the Legislature will
never have even the shadow of an excuse
for sending legislative committees upon
junketing trips to State institutions, at
heavy cost. 1t is notorious that all such
legislative visitations are farcial and re-
suit in no good to the State OF the State
institutions.
Our contemporary finds fault with the
bill because. with all the right of inspec-
ton given, the power to gather and COM
pei the contribution of statistics as to cost
of crime, correction and charity, there is
given to the board no power to apply
remedies or correct abuses. This OBJ
lection is not new, but the experience of
the State of New York in this matter
should be sufficient guide for us, to say
| nothing of that of many other States
where similar boards have been main
tanned for many years. 1t has not been
! found necessary in any of them to confer
the power of applying remedies. The
executive and law departments of the
Government are equal to the enforcement
of the laws, where the board discovers
| lawlessness. But where it discovers mis-
management, waste, incompetency and
| defective systems, it is sufficient to make
them public and to advise the Legislature
of the facts. 1t is captious criticism on
| the part of the Mail to say that such pub
licity and report to the Legislature viii
| effect nothing, for it is contrary to all ex-
perience.
A final objection is raised to Section s
| of the bill, which reads:
The board shall make it the duty of its sec
retary to act as parole or ex-convict agent. He
shall not be empowered to furnish money, but
| to give them all possible moral support in en-
couragcment to useful lives and in helping to
secure employment for them, and in generally
strengthening them against the hand of So
ciety.
1t is objected that no money can be ex-
pended in aiding the ex-convict to better
living. Money is by no means the essential
thing in aiding those needing help. To
encourage self-helpfulness is far more
valuable aid than money gifts. The as
sistance Of sympathy is powerful; the
aid of employment is more desirable