The record-union., 1896-06-14
LOCALIZING STATE INSTITUTIONS.

The Oakland Tribune" approves the
position taken by the Record Union
in the matter of localism as related to
State institutions and interests. 1t well
says that there can be no such thing
as any local rights in State institu-
ton, and adds 1.-The fact that it has
sometimes been necessary to have the
immediate supervision conceded to per-
sons in the same locality, has more
than once been a public misfortune"
1t is true, as the Tribune" says, that
the people in one section have the same
rights and ought to feel the same inter
est in every public institution as the
PEOPLE of any other and all sections.
The mere fact of contiguity gives the
people of a county or city no especial
right in or guardianship over a State
institution.
Citizens will recall how at every 'ses-
sion of the Legislature any appropria-
ton needed for repairs Of the Capitol,
care and beautifying the grounds, and
for betterments of public buildings here
are invariably treated by those from
more distant counties as grants to Sac
ramento. We all recall also that it has
one, to look to the Representatives and
Senators from Sacramento to father
and advocate all such measures. So
it is as to Alameda, Santa Clara, Butte,
Mendooino, San Bernardino, Los An
geles, and other counties having State
institutions within their boundaries;
their delegations are expected to make
the fights" of such institutions.
This abominable practice has led up
to that other and still more detestable
one of considering the location and ex-
tension of public institutions matters
of local grant-that is, that the location
of institutions should be made on the
theory Of "even divide" Of placating
the demands of locality, and in order to
distribute patronage throughout the do
main of the State.
All State institutions should be To-
Gated. constructed, administered and
cared for irrespective Of the demands OF
sections, of patronage and of every
other consideration, save only this,
what is best for the State and the in
stitution?" IL that demands that all
the State institutions should be placed
In one county, put them there; If it de-
lnands that all the institutions should
he administered in a way that will dis
please local greed, then displease and
rebuke it, The Tribune considering
the subject further says:
1t has happened on many occasions
that when a criticism was made on
the outside by a member Of the Legis-
iature, the member living near the IN
stitution would spring to his feet as
If an assault had been made on his
personal rights. He regarded himself
as the special custodian of all State
institutions in his particular district
In his view, they had been established
so that in some sense, there was a dis
tinct local property interest
The member from Shasta County, fol
instance, would be thought imperti-
nent if he called in question any policy
relating to the management or the
State Asylum in San Bernardino Coun-
ty. And If a Los Angeles man were tc
criticise the Preston School, he woulo
probable be given a hint that he had
better confine his attention to the Whit
tier School The sooner this local spfr-
1t is exercised the better. It is mar
row and mean spirit. There can be nc
such thing as any local rights in
State institution.