The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-16
Our CrOCkery and
Lamp Sale Gr eS rHH HE TAFY ciFY.

cnre the lowest prices. IJs business oper-
ations could be made as plain and as easily
understood as those of any business con-
cern. The different institutions could be
supplied on the acquisitions of their re-
spective stewards and every detail of the
public business could be made to show
Tor itself
Under the present system the varius in
stitutions of the state are active compet-
itors in making their purchases, while
under the system proposed, those who
desire to supply the state would become
competitors in making their bids and
sales.
BY this change of the business methods
Of the public institutions and by adopt
ing some such plan as / have suggested,
there is no question but that large sums
Of money could be saved the state The
magnitude of these purchases in the ag-
gregate can be inferred when the popula-
tion of our public institutions is recalled.
On Nov. 10, 1895, there were in the benev-
olent institutions of the state 6, 1877 insane
men and women, 502 epileptics, "a inmates
of the working home for the blind, and
1,075 at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors
home; q grand total in the benevolent in
stitutions of 1908 In the educational in
stitutions, which include those for feeble
minded youths, the deaf and dumb, the
blind, and for the soldiers and sailors
orphans, there were {, ,4S3 beneficiaries of
state kindness and aid. In the penal and
reformatory institutions there was total
of 3,ll0. The grand total of all the state
charges on the date mentioned was 10, 40l.
Add to that number the ,S09 employees,
and we see that there are 1920 persons to
provide for in various ways. Such num-
Der constitutes population equal to that
OF many Of the smaller municipalities of
the state.
When we stop to consider what vast
amount Of food and clothing of material
which produces bodily comfort and health
and of the numberless things which are
needed in such institutions, 1t can be seen
what vast amount of supplies is re-
quired, and it can be easily seen that in
purchasing for such a population large
sums of money could be saved, for all
know that money can be saved by pur-
chasing goods in large quantities
1t should be the part of all state officers
to practice all possible economy in public
expenditures, One way Of saving the
state considerable sum of money is that
of condensing the department reports,
thus relieving the state of good portion
Of its annual charge for public printing
The yoluminous state reports could we'll
be supplanted by concise documents
which contain only material information
and records The detail OF the large bust
ness of the state departments is usually
Of little interest TO either officials or peo-
The report Of the board of managers
and the warden of the Ohio penitentiary,
showing that there has been net loss OF
t55, 46l.22 to the state during the fiscal
year OF 1895 on account Of this great penal
institution may we'll suggest that some
thing has to be done to correct the CON
ditions, unless the taxpayers are willing
TO accept yearly reports showing largely
increased excesses of expenditures over
receipts. During the year ending Oct. 81,
1925, the per capita cost was reduced to
the very low figure of Sl36. 30 which was
decrease OF $40 per capita from that of
1898, when the earnings were much greater
and the institution showed a handsome
profit to the state. The lamentable result
Of the year 1895 is attributed to general
business depression, to the effect Of the
law which provided for the branding Of
all prison.mads goods, and to the Llewsll
yn law, which restricts the number OF
laborers In making one kind OF goods In
all penal and reformatory institutions OF
the state TO 10 per cent. OF the free labor
In making the same goods within the
state The first OF these laws Is not oper
ative at this time, the courts having de-
clared II unconstitutional after bill re-
pealing II had passed the senate, but the
sec cond Is ia full force and effect nd TO IL,
In part, Is due the fact that nearly 1,00C
eonvicts are now Ia the idle house. While
there Is propriety In all consideration aud
support that may be paid and given TO the
free labor OF the state, and while there Il
justice IN protection against the com matt
kgn brought about Dy ooariet made Rooas
al must aeEpnwl@sies thss shsr@ g @s'''