The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-10
GOV. MOUNT ON ECONOMY
DEFINES HIS POLICY TO THE CHAR
tiles CONVENTION.
State Institutions Should Be Managed
with the Same Care Employed
in Private Business.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
EVANSVILLE, Ind, Nov. 9.-The State
Conference of Charities and Correction
opened here at the Grand Opera House to-
night. Delegates were welcomed by Mayor
Akin and John Gilbert Shanklin. Re
sponses were made by Father Gavisk of
Indianapolis; Judge Davis, of Terre Haute;
Professor Fetter, of the State University,
and Timothy Nicholson, of Rich
mond. The principal address was made
by Governor Mount. t. J. Charlton,
superintendent of the Reform School
for Boys, also made an address. Z.
p. Bicknell, of Indianapolis, outlined the
work for the coming year. During Gov
ernor Mounts address he spoke of the
great growth of the benevolent and penal
institutions of Indiana, and further out
lined his policy on their economical man
9gement In closing he said:
Il deem it opportune at this point to COM
mend the work of the State Board of Chari-
ties not only as it has had to do with state,
but county institutions as WELL Under such
surveillance the day for neglect and NAL
administration of charitable, reformatory
and correctional institutions is well nigh
passed. 1t is the duty of the state to hold
the managers of these institutions to as
strict an accounting, to as rigid economy
as a wise business man would exercise with
regard to his private interests. The state
been sorely pressed during the past several
years of low prices, idle men and dull BUSH
ness, and great care should be exercised in
spending public money The State annually
expends 81, 236. 1862 to maintain it's benevo-
lent and charitable institutions. 1t is a
matter of cOngratulation that at the close
of the last fiscal year, Oct. g. 1897, some of
the state institutions turned unexpended
balances back into the state treasury. The
report of the Institution for the Education
of the Blind shows the lowest per capita
expense in the history of the institution
and that after having closed the year of
most faithful and efficient work more than
$3.50 was returned to the state treasury.
THE history of the past, the experiences
of the present, the sentiment of the times
demand that the charitable, reformatory
and correctional institutions be divorced
from partisan politics. Ability, fitness of
character and not mere party affiliations
should be the elements sought in the man
agement and control of these institutions
The spirit that inspires and fosters this no.
BILE work will revolt against its debasement
to the interest of party politics. If these
institutions are to be manipulated in the
interest of professional partiSanS and made
use of to reward politicians then, as a log
ical sequence, the more places created the
more workers rewarded; the higher the sal
aries paid the better the reward. Such con-
troll would impair efficiency, corrupt the
manageme nt and multiply expenses. The
ultimate and just reward of such methods
will in the future merit and receive from the
people an indignant rebuke. The fact that
some of our best citizens are serving as
trustees of these institutions and on char
liable boards without compensation evil
dences the new era of progress and reflects
great credit on the beneficent spirit of our
people, The expenses of these trustees and
boards are justly and gratefully met by the
State. 1t is well in the state. and national
meetings to have representative from all
these boards in attendance. | do not be-
lieVe there is any need of all the members
of the boards and the superintendent also
being in attendance One representative
can make full report; beside, the proceed
ings and all the addresses are published.
Junketing trips by legislative committees
have met with disfavor and been forced to
be abandoned. No prudent business firm
would send three or four delegates. at the
expense of the business, to represent them
where one would serve every purpose. de-
sire to emphasize the Importance of intro
ducing into the management of these insti-
tutionS the same business methods OF pru-
dence and economy that insure success in
the conduct of private enterprises. A man
who lacks the business capacity to success
fully manage his own affairs is i'll fitted
to control the greater matters connected
with public institutions.
ut is my determined policy to do all in
nv power to promote the efficiency and well
being OF al the institutions of the State. 1t
will likewise be my purpose to see that wise
economy snail be exercised. The super1n-
tenGentS of these institutions whose homes
are supplied and whose tables are furnished
at state expense must temDer their living
with the spirit of economy that is practlced
in the homes of those who are taxed to
meet such expenses. This is a platform that
rests upon equity and right, and It's prln-
ciples must obtain.
After the meeting there was a reception
for the visitors and delegates.