The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-18

Indiana insane hospitals. Although
strsng and prominent Republican, he be-
lions out of politics. He said, last night,
When asked to give an opinion on the re-
cent caucus action:
There is great opportunity for the Re-
publican party to make reputation Tor
fair and honest management of the beney-
olent institutions of the State, and at the
same time to forever put these institutions
out of politics and promote wholesome
rivalry for good management between
the State, and at present / believe the
trustees are all Democrats. There is no
teas so Why nn the ia @ t6 De
an party has always urged it should be
left-in the hands of the Governor. and
there are many reasons why neither party
should have majority of all the trustees.
l believe that the boards should be COM
posed of three members. instead of four.
as has recently been advocated. and two
or the four insane hospitals should be con.
frolled by boards, having majority OF
Republicans and the other two by boards
having majorities of Democrats. Thls rule
might be extended to all charitable and be-
nevolent institutions under state control,
but there is a question in my mind whether
1T should apply to the penitentiaries Civil
service rules should govern appointments
should be removed before his time expires
without there is just cause for doing SO.
In all Of these institutions the superintend-
ent should have the absolute right of Sc
Letting and discharging employees, ana ms
fbe sdouln De ,,,t 20 ~ ohe et the hest
men in the medical profession to accept
positions where their authority is restricted
by the board having the right to hire ana
discharge subordinates.
81 believe that the best men will be Sc
they are REQUIRED to tor serve e without salary
and the State pays their necessary expenses
only. The Governor is quoted as saving
that If the appointments are left in his
hands he will appoint majority OF DEM
ocrats in every instance. and this has oc-
casioned some resentment among the Re-
publican members of the LEGISLATURE VINO
are reported having proffered recently
to leave, the appointments, in his hands If
he would appoint an equal number of Re
publicans and Democrats out of all the
new trustees to be selected. Experience
vantage to be gained by either party by
having control of these institutions. In
worked disastrously to the party in power.
The Republican party has an opportunity
now to put them entirely out of politics by
the boards and majority OF Democrats on
the remainder.
'.Such a course will be consistent with the
policy of the party reiterated year after
year, and the appointments which the
Governor makes can be approved by the
those who are interested in the best man
agement of these charities it is evident
have suggested would promote a whole
some rivalry which can never exist when
1t would insure the selection of the very
best men superintendent, and an effort
would be made by those In control TO see
that their institution was better managed
than any other.
IF this plan is adopted, party in the
future will ever dare to restore our pubnc
institutions to political control, as the peo-
pie would resent most emphatically any
thing of the kind.
John ID. Conner Against the Caucus.
Police Commissioner John B. Conner
stanchly favors nonpartisan boards for
the management of State institutions. In
an interview yesterday he said:
'In my opinion more than nine-tenths OF
the Republicans of Indiana, who think
carefully about such matters. most heart
lily indorse it's position the right of the
Governor to appoint the benevolent inst-
tuition boards and, further that they ought
to be nonpartisan as the party is pledged.
Senator Shiveley has the right idea, and
so has Senat tor Duncan and others, that
to make these boards nonpartisan two per-
sons from each party should be provided
in an amended act. They also think the
duty of appointing these members should
be left with the Governor, and that they
should serve without compensation. That
would settle the unseemly party strife for
spoiis oyer the management of these insti-
tutions''