The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-22
sEFMoUR's RETRENCHMENT Plan

The Senate adjourned until P. NJ. Mon
day next.
SETMOUR'S RETRENCHMENT PLAN
The Btu to Create a State Board of
Charities and Correction.
SACRAMENTO, Feb. Ex-senator Seymour's
bill to create State Board of Public Char
tiles and Correction and defining its powers
and duties was reported favorably by the
Committee on Retrenohment and Public
Expenditures. 1t has been made a case OF
urgency read the first time, and has a good
chance of final passage in the Senate.
The bill is radical in its nature There
is no doubt that it would greatly reduce
the expenditures for public institutions,
but an analysis of the bill shows that it
would place extraordinary powers in the
hands of the board.
The bill provides that thirty days after
its passage the Governor, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, shall
appoint three citizens of this State who
shall be known as the State Board of Public
Charities and Correction. The members of
the board are to hold Office for a term of four
years, except that the first board appointed
shah be so classified that the term of one
person so appointed shall expire at the
end of two years, one at the end of three
years and one at the end of four years.
Each of the members of the board must
qualify by giving an official bond of $25, 900.
The board must annually elect a president
of its own members, and is authorized to
appoint a secretary, to hold office at the
pleasure of the board.
The bill provides that the board shall
take charge of and have all the powers
now vested in the boards of trustees of
the following institutions: The Mendo-
cino Insane Asylum, Napa Insane Asylum,
Stockton Insane Asylum, Agnews Insane
Asylum, Southern California State Asylum
for the Insane and Inebriates, Industrial
Home of Mechanical Trade for the Adult
Blind at Oakland, Deaf and Dumb and
Blind Asylum at Berkeley, Home for
the Care and Training of Predetermined
| Children, Whittier State School at Whit
tier, Cal, and Preston School of Industry
at lone. The boards OF trustees in those
institutions are abrogated, and they are
directed to surrender to the State Board
of Charities and Correction the manage
ment and control of their respective insti-
tutions, together with all books, records,
accounts, etc., pertaining thereto.
| The powers of the board are large The
bill provides that the commissioners shall
have full power at all times to examine the
condition of the several institutions which
they may be authorized by this act to
visit, financially or otherwise; to inquire
into and examine their methods of govern
ment or management and treatment of
their inmates the official conduct of
| superintendents, officers and employees of
the same; the condition of the build
| ings, grounds and other property
connected Herewith, and into all
other matters pertaining to their useful
ness and good management; and for this
purpose they shall have free access to the
grounds, buildings and all books and pa
pers relating to said institution, and all
persons now or hereafter. connected in any
manner with the samelare directed and re-
| quired to give such information, and af-
ford such facilities for inspection as the
| Commissioners may require.
| The board is required to visit each of
the institutions named at least once every
! year, and they are also commanded to
visit all institutions receiving State aid,
and to ascertain if the moneys appro-
priated for their aid are or have
been economically and judiciously
expended; whether the objects of
| the several institutions have been accom-
plished; whether the laws in relation to
them are fully complied with; whether all
parts of the State are equally benefited by
said institutions in the several acts pro-
v1ded for their creation and management
contemplated, and report annually to the
| Governor their conclusions, recommends
tions and all financial transactions of each
institution under their supervision, item
lied as expended by each institution. An
Office is provided for the board in the State
Capitol building. Each member of the
| board is to receive salary of $4,000 per
annum and travelling expenses. The sal
airy of the secretary is fixed at not to ex-
ceed $2400 year. Two of the important
sections of the bill are these:
| Sec 8. The said board shall advertise for bids
for supplies, construction or materials to be
| furnished the several institutions named in
this act, specifying the quantity of each article
and quality and points of delivery, in three
daily papers, one in each of the cities of Los
Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco for
thirty days prior to the opening of said bids,
they having the power regulating the REQUIRE
ments and conditions under which bidders
shall be governed, and in all cases the lowest
responsible bid shall be accepted.
| Sec. 8. Said board shall regulate the number
CT officers and employees in each of the institu-
| tions under their charge and shall have the ap-
| pointment of the same and shall fl their COM
pensation, except in cases provided by law
The disposition of legislators toward the
bill seems to be quite favorable.
|