The record-union., 1895-02-07
THE CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
BILL.

The proposed State Charities Commis-
sion is given more to do than it can pos
sibly accomplish. There are not three
men in this State, or any other, who are
worth only So day, who can possibly
manage and supervise the administra-
ton Of the five Insane Asylums, the two
Industrial Schools, the Blind Asylum for
Adults, the Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind, the Home for the
Feeble Minded, and examine into the ad-
ministration OF State-aided charities, in
State with its institutions so widely and
unwisely scattered.
They could examine into and give gen.
eral direction to the affairs of these in
stitutions and fix upon their policy; but
there is a world of detail. much of it
petty and all unavoidable, related to
each institution, that must be attended to
by board for each. Otherwise, all these
matters would have to be turned over to
the several Superintendents and en-
ployes, who will thus have added duties
that will not conduce to their usefulness.
AS the local boards are unsalaried, it
would seem that, subject to the general
direction and the control of the central
body proposed to be raised, it would be
the part of wisdom to leave them as they
are. That is to say, there will be danger
Of overlooking the new board with detail
work. which will cripple its usefulness.
To have direction of all the institutions
named will keep it almost constantly on
the move. and leave it very little time for
that broad general work, Office examina-
ton and general administration in the
conservation of economy that it is SO de-
sirable to promote.
To the work that this new commission
is to be called we ought to draw the very
best business talent, the highest ability
of technical character, and the expert
ence and skill of the first order obtaina-
bic that is familiar with institutional
management, reformatory science, care
OF the insane, treatment of the feeble
minded, and with educational systems
for dependents in State institutions,
Do the friends of the scheme think in
dead earnest that they can procure such
mon for Sl50 per month? The bill de-
clares that they are to be paid only for the
days they actually serve. and therefore it
is assumed that these men will be able to
follow some other business, as we'll as at
tend to all these institutions, which con-
Germ the care of some five thousand State
dependents, and the disbursement of
hundreds of thousands of dollars an
nually.
If that idea prevails and the bill goes
through on that basis, we will find our
selves greatly mistaken in this western
land by the sea. No man can do full
duty to the State and have in hand any
private business. Nor will we get men
such as we ought to have for such salary
as is offered. All mon of that caliber are
in demand and can make twice the earn
ings offered, and be free from the re-
sponsibihty of Office and the criticisms
which such positions invite.
We ought to get first-class ability, we
repeat, and then keep it in place in such
important trust as the bill proposes to
create. But We never will get such men
to abandon their present industries and
take such positions for SI50 month and
the liability of being bounced out at the
next turn of the political wheel. Nor
will the State profit by the change of its