Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08
CONTROL OF STATE INSTITUTIONS.
should lie Vested in Some One Re-
sponsibIc Head.

sponsibIc Head.
The interest OF the state in these public
institutions amounts to millions of dollars
and there are expended annually large sums
of money for their maintenance in conducting
the business for which they were constructed
They should each be governed and con-
trolled in such a way as to bring about the
greatest harmony between the several insti-
tutions as well as the greatest economy
in their management in the interest
of the taxpayers of the state. Their
control and management heretofore
by different bodies, and as many different
methods, has been productive of much need
less expense and friction as to the policies
which should obtain. This fact, doubt not,
has become quite apparent to every ex-
ecutive OF the state of Nebraska. Governor
Boyd in his closing message to the legislature
speaks of this matter as follows
"And in this connection | would further
call your attention to the fact that there are
a number of state institutions over which
the authority of the executive has been by
statute taken from him. In the case of the
Industrial School for Boys at Kearney, OF
the Industrial School for Girls at Geneva, of
tho Institute for Feeble Minded at Beatrice,
and of one or two others, the appointing
power is vested in the Board of Public
Lands and Buildings. This board is also
by the constitution given full control of all
institutions, and the executive has no check
upon them whatever This should not be so.
The governor should have the power to
appoint the superintendents and managing
officials in every one of the state institutions,
and would recommend that this legislature
so amend this statute that the appointing
power shall be fully restored to him.
My predecessor. Governor Crounse like
wise took occasion to express his views on
this same subject in the following
language:
I'm the case of some OF the institutions of
the state the governor appoints the SUI
perintendents and other officers while In
others this authority is given to the Board
of Public Lands and Buildings. This is
wrong. The governor should be charged
with the appointment in all these cases, and
he should be responsible to the people for his
action. The responsibility for bad appoint
ment should not be divided one and one
not directly traceable or chargeable to any
one person. Considerations of political
or partisan character may be opposed to
favorable acceptance OF this recommenda-
ton at this time, still some legislation
should not be avoided for fear of the loss OF
some partisan advantage. 1t Is unfortunate
that the heads of some institutions, In cases
where to fitness experience has been added,
should become the sport of political fortune,
and for good reasons only should be tried
and experienced officers be replaced
ONE RESPONSIBLE HEAD.
To all that has been said by these two
gentlemen on this subject | can give my
hearty approval. / am quite well convinced
that a more satisfactory administration OF
the affairs of these various institutions can
be secured when there is one responsible
head to whom each must be required to ac-
count for the faithful discharge of the duties
of his position, and that a fixed and well
defined policy deriving its source from one
head may be inaugurated which Will work
advantageously in each OF the institutions.
In my judgment II was never intended by
tln I'd Cf Dt1i In
Lands and Buildings. therein created should
have the control and supervision of the ad-
mlnlstrative and governmental part or these
different institutions, but rather, as Its name
implies and as expressed in direct terms
by the constitution, ii should have control
of the public lands and public buildings, to
look after, to care for the repairs and i'm
provements the erection of new buildings,
when provided for by the legislature, and
such other control and supervision as per-
tain to the buildings and lands belonging 10
the state, as distinguished from the care,
maintenance and control of the inmates of
such institutions. There has been almost
continually, since the enactment OF the law
defining the duties of the Board of Public
Lands and Buildings, more or less differ
ence between that board and the executive
regarding the powers and duties OF each, and
this without regard to whom may have been
occupying each OF the respective positions.
This ought not to be permitted to exist and
the duties of this board should be made
clear, specific and well-defned, and pro-
visions made so az to prevent any differences
respecting the duties of executive officers in
this as we'll as other boards created by
statute This board by law is required to
approve vouchers for expenditures made by
many different boards, as well the vouch-
ers required in its own expenditures. An
auditing board should doubtless exist to
approve the vouchers issued by the heads
Of the different departments in state insti-