The record-union., 1891-03-04
NINE GOOD REASONS.

NINE GOOD REASONS.
There is no test equal to that of expert
ence. 1t is the one standard by which to
judge propositions new to US, but old to
others-who have experimental upon
them. There is not State in the Union
which has established Board of Chari-
ties and Correction, that has not passed
through precisely the same trials and sea
of difficulty now experienced in Cali.
fornia in attempting to erect such board.
But there is not a State in the Union that
has set up such supervisory body, that
under any considerations could now be
induced to abandon it. This is fact that
the RECoRD-UNIoN is prepared to estab-
lish from official reports.
The Legislature Of California hesitates
to pass the bill to establish State Board
of the character indicated. Yet we hope
for its passage, and that the fears and
doubts entertained by members of the
houses will give way before the fact we
have stated, that in all the States where
such boards have been established. they
have proved their value so emphatically
that no effort is ever suggested for their
abolishment.
We need just such board as the bill
calls for, because:
l. We do not know the cost of crime to
the State.
2. Because gubernatorial visitation of
asylums and charitable and correctional
institutions is, as rule, valueless, and to
that fact every man who has served as
Governor will testify.
3. Because State charity is not equita-
bly, disbursed-thus, Protestant institu-
tions for care of dependent children have
149 per cent. of the children, and receive
liz per cent. of the money; Catholic insti-
tutions have 63A per cent. of the children
and receive 6S per cent. of the money;
non-sectarian institutions have 20 per
cent. of the children and receive II 40 per
cent. of the money; Hebrew institutions
have p per cent. Of the children, and re-
ceive q per cent. of the money.
4. Because there is now no agency to
encourage the discharged convict to walk
in new and better ways.
5. Because expenditure ofpublic money
for charity institutions is not econom-
ically made.
6. Because we have no reliable statistics
as to the needs, numbers, and cost of de-
pendents aided by the State.
Z. Because there is no such inquiry
possible under the system of guberna-
torial examination, as will detect cheat
ing, mismanagement,c cruelty, or depart
ure from reformatory processes.
s. Because our whole charity financial
policy is at odds and ends, underlined,
rambling, and without business method.
1t may be compared to the evil of indis-
criminate charity, which in ninety cases
out of hundred is i'll bestowal of good.
8. Our charity institutions are so many.
varied, and so widely separated, and
differ so greatly in management, that
there is absolute need of supervisory
board empowered to ascertain facts and
make them known to the executive and
Legislative departments, that where un-
economic conditions prevail correctives
may applied.
There are no powers to be vested in the
proposed board that will enable it to apply
remedies. 1t can only make inquisition
and make results public, and publicity is
the most powerful of all correctives. The
State, therefore, ventures nothing in
erecting this board. If at the end of two
years it does not show the people where
they can save ten times the cost of the
maintenance of the board, then it can
and should be abandoned. Our depend
ent and defective classes cost the State
SAT-, ,4l6 AZ for each biennial period, and
this we assert is too great sum. There
is not one of the institutions to which
any part of this sum goes that we would
have abandoned, or that State aid should
be withdrawn from, but that the State
policy of giving institutions assistance
and in maintaining those wholly under
State management, lacks symmetry, is
not in line with good business Judgment,
and is based wholly upon independent
and disconnected reports, is simply the
truth.
Now, the establishment of the board
called for by the bill under consideration