The record-union., 1891-01-21
a COMMENSURATE BILL.

Senator Ragsdale's bill in aid of the
California Home for the Care and Train
ing of Feeble Minded Children should
pass. In practicing economy the Legis-
lature is not expected to cut off State in
stitutions from State obligation to sup
port them. What the people ask and no
more, is that there should be no extrava-
gance, 40 tapping of the treasury for the
mere purpose of erecting or enlarging
State institutions to crafty local ambi-
ton, to have public money expended in
the erection of public works not abso-
lutely needed.
Such reckless policy was that of the
last Legislature. It founded institutions
at enormous cost that were not impera-
lively needed. Sectional demands for
State asylums and other institutions pre-
vailed over protests in favor of wise
disapproved by the people at the last cleo
ton. But it is not the desire Of the pub
lie sentiment that any institution estab
lished and having obligations for the care
of unfortunate wards of the State should
be starved, or deprived of any necessary
means for its proper conduct.
In the whole range of public charity
we know of no more beneficent output
OF public money than that spent to con-
serve the Home for the Care and Train
ing of Feeble Minded Children. The
Home was at first i'll located and thus
crippled in its work. 1t was wise
action to remove the institution to To-
cality where the most essential phase
of its work could be better carried on
that is, the training Of these unfortunates
to some usefulness in society, instead of
remaining all their lives helpless beings
The new location is at Glen Ellen, So
noma county, and as it is less than two
years since legislative sanction was Sc
cured for its removal and the construc-
ton of proper buildings in lieu OF the
old and ill-suited ones, it, can be readily
understood that the institution must have
been hindered somewhat in its benefcent
work.
1t is absolutely necessary to accommo-
date the demands upon this great philan-
throphy, that all buildings needed
should be supplied, and all its unfinished
structures brought to speedy completion.
The main, or Administrative, building must
be finished, and a building known as the
boys wing'' must be supplied to meet
the necessities of the work of the institu-
ton; some interior needs must be re-
sponded to and an engine-house erected
for the protection of the machinery of
motive power.
That the Legislature viii respond to the
appeal of the directorate of the institu-
ton we have not the slightest doubt. Be-
hind the institution and its work is the
noblest philanthrophy and the rarest
benevolence. The hearts and hands of
unselfish men and women are conserv-
ing the work and giving to it the best
energies of useful lives. No other State
AhSlleutlon eilliStS so nlucn OF private
assistance, the time, labor and purses of
so many men and women. The progress
of the institution, from its inception, has
been most gratifying, and there is full
promise that we viii accomplish more in
California in the training of the feeble
minded to usefulness, than has been
achieved in any other State.
In this connection it should be noted
that separate bill is before the Senate.
providing for the sale of the old property
of the institution, with the approval ofthe
Governor, and that the proceeds shall be
paid into the general fund of the State
Treasury. What is now asked for the
Home, therefore, viii not, in the aggre-
gate, be really drawn from the treasury,
since it viii in part be supplied by the
sum derived from the sale of the Santa
Clara property.