The record-union., 1897-02-10
WHERE DOES ECONOMY RESIDE 2

The Record Union" on Monday as
serted as a general proposition that
inferior officers give to a State inferior
administration. The further exami-
nation Of the official statistics of the
cost Of maintaining the State institu-
tons such as asylums, prisons, hOspi-
tails, and the like, convinces US that
California is not. on the average, ex-
pending more per capita than the older
States for maintenance of its wards,
though that State institutions holding
State wards are too expensive, is con-
ceded
If this is true, and we believe the
facts viii sustain.it, the proposition to
reduce salaries in these institutions,
will, if it drives out higher competency
and permits the entry Of cheaper,
because less competent and skilled ser
wants. result i'll for the State and in the
end prove unecononic.
The original proposition of Assembly
man Cutter to reduce salaries % per
cent in penal, reformatory and charita
BILE Institutions maintained by the
State has been modified by a PROPOSE
Eion Of that gentleman, which it is un
derstood Will find expression in a re-
port of the Committee on Retrench
ment. SO that reduction will proceed
npon@a graduated scale, extending from
8 to 20 per cent. Until we are able to
seeaand examine the proposed scale. it
willfnot be possible to intelligently pass
Judgment upon it.
In'the outset we expressed the belief
fhat the intention Of the author was
underlaid by praiseworthy motive, and
this we Ieaffirm. In endeavoring to ef-
feet economic administration Of State
institutions, the legislator is attempt
ing to carry into effect the wishes Of
the people as expressed in platforms,
forum.
But this must be borne in mind,
namely, that a popular demand for re
duction of salaries in these institutions
may bes unjust, may be based upon in
sufficient knowledge of facts; it is
protest against the burdens of heavy
taxation, the expression Of demand
that these burdens shall be Iightened.
Naturally such a demand aims at the
most prominent expense in view, and
that is invariably the salary. But the
legislator IS in duty bound to ascertain
If the heavy cost really arises out of
sala1des. and whether justice does not
dernandsathat economy should be prac-
ticed in other quarters.
Thus. in certain of our penal insti
buttons where the inmates ought to be
eelf-supporting, they very largely eat
the bread OF the taxpayer in idleness.
In such cases true economic laws de-
mand that the ward shall be made re-
sponsible for the cost of maintaining
himi in food. clothing, shelter and under
guard
we have time to cite but a single in
stance illustrativeof the position taken
At Auburn. n. Y, according to the
official reports for the year 1894. the
cost Of maintenance Of the State pris-
oners held there was nearly S131 per
capita for u year. In the last annual
report OF the Board of Prison Directors
FOR California the cost per capita Of
maintaining the prisoners at San Quen-
tin for one year. which includes ali ex-
penses Of the prison, IS given at
S124 a.
Here. then, is a distinct showing To
the advantage Of California prison
ma nageu1ent so FAR as cost Of mainte-
nance is concerned. Now, assuming
that one starts out With the idea Of
reducing, the cost of maintenance still
more. il IS essential to know before a
single step can be- taken, If the reduc-
tfon should come from salaries OF from
other items since under present man
agement we find that California main
tains her prisoners at less cost per
head per year than does the Empire
State.