The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-30
STATE INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.


AS there seems to be some difference
of opinion among Republicans as to the
exact position of the party relative to
the management of the State institu-
tions, and what an honest compliance
with it's pledges requires, it may be well
enough to elucidate the point. The dec
larations of successive Republican con-
ventions for several years past throw
some light on it. The convention of
1886 said:
We favor a thorough and honest enforce
ment of the civil-service law, and the ex-
tension of it's principles to the State adj
ministration wherever it can be made prac-
ticable
The convention of 1888 declared
We favor placing all public institutions
under wisely conceived and honestly-ad-
ministered civil-service law.
The platform of 1890 contained the fol-
lowing:
lions be placed above the level of partisan
politics, and that they be controlled by
political parties, appointed by the Governor.
The platform of 1892 declared:
The Democratic party deserves the en-
phatic cOndemna ton of every citizen of
the State for its refusal to place our be-
nevolent institutions upon nonpartisan
basis.
The platform of 1894 on which the
present Legislature was elected, de-
clared:
We believe that the benevolent, educa-
tional and correctional institutions of the
State should be placed under nonpartisan
control
These declarations of five State con-
ventions, covering a period of ten years.
commit the party to placing the State
rol
and, as far as possible, on civil-service
basis. No honest man can deny that
that is the plain meaning of these dec
larations. They have been SO inter-
preted by the party press and so under
stood by the people. In a speech deliv-
cred at Danville, Ind, in 1888, General
Harrison said:
There some questions that ought not
men ought to agree. :! speak of only one.
| the great benevolent institutions-the fruit
| OF our Christian civilization, endowed by
| the bounty yof the State, maintained by
| public taxes, and intended for the care and
| education of the disabled classes of our
| community-ought to be lifted above all
| party influence, benefit or control I be-
leve you can do nothing that will more
| greatly enhance the estimation in which the
| States than to see to it that a suitable.
well-regulated and strict civil service is
L
| nevolent and penal institutions of the State
| of Indiana
| No Indiana Republican will question
| Benjamin Harrison's right to speak for
| the party or interpret it's policy in this
| State. The foregoing sentiments were
| ,heere1 by the audience that heard
| them, and repeated with approval
| throughout the State.
/ The Journal does not believe that
| these pledges will be redeemed merely
| by the appointment of bipartisan
/ boards composed of Republicans and
| Democrats appointed as part;sans, and
| with power to remove and appoint SUI
/ perintendents and employees in the in
| situations for political reasons. This
! might result in a division of patronage
! but it would not be taking the institu-
/ tions out of politics, and it would carry
/ no recognition of the civil-service prin-
| ciple in the management of the institu-
i tons, to which the party is committed
| This is one of the most important mat
| tiers before the Legislature, and il
/ should make no mistake. 1t has an OBJ
/ portunity to inaugurate a great reform
| and place Indiana among the most pro-
| gressive States in the management OF
| it's public institutions by redeeming the
1 party pledges in the spirit in which they
| were made. Will it be equal to the Cd
/ portunity?