The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-11

The extract from the address of Governor
Mount delivered at the opening Of the con-
ference of charities in Evansville Tuesday
evening, makes his position in regard to the
management of the charitable and penal
institutions of the State very clear. He in
sists upon an intelligent business manage
ment of all the affairs Of these institutions,
which take a million and a quarter of dol
lars year from the taxpayers. He main
tains that, to insure such management, it
must be nonpartisan, for the reason that
just as soon as employment is dispensed
as reward for any service there win be
a pressure that more places be made
than are necessary, and persons who are
either inefficient or unfaithful will be Sc
lected to please some person of influence.
Some readers will take exception to the
position Governor Mount has assumed, yet
four or five Republican state conventions
declared for nonpartisan management in
the charitable institutions in as plain
language as can be found. But whether
the few do or do not approve the declara-
tion of Governor Mount, the large majority
of taxpayers and intelligent people of the
matter, do most cordially approve
Governor Mount did not fail to make his
meaning very clear in regard to economy.
With quite a number of the trustees and
superjntendents of charitable and penal in
situations in his audience he spoke with
great plainness. Trustees and superin-
tendents must be as careful of their Off
al ne h,.ci
ness firms. He does not believe that
such officials should make junkets at
the expense of the State, under the
guise of inspections, to distant States
or to conventions. He does not favor
more lavish expenditure for living by those
whose supplies are furnished by the State
than they would indulge in if they were
in the employ of individuals. Governor
Mount is clearly out of sympathy with the
official who returned from an institution in
another State and told of the imposing en-
trance TO a prison or asylum and the
abundant luxury of the furnishing of the
officers apartments. To him it was a re-
minder OF the greatness of a State. To the
taxpayers and the people it is an example
of luxury and extravaganza which is de-
moralizing.
1t will be said by some that Governor
Mount is talking of little things. While adj
hitting that they are little things, those
who have noted the effect of such little
things upon public opinion and custom
know that all things which affect the public
morals cannot be inconsequential. Already
the impression prevails that it is not much
of an offense for those who have the power
to do so to expend public money more law
jshly than they would that of corpora
ton. Indeed, it may be said to be so much
a custom to do so that people very general
ly expect it. 1t was because of this vicious
sentiment in this community that the waste
of $4,000 by the Taggart regime on Pogue's
run was not generally denounced.
There will never be thorough reform in
the public service until the public requires
the same kind of efficiency and watchful-
ness by those employed by the State or the
city that corporations and private business
concerns require of their employees and Off
Gals. To correct public opinion regarding
expenditures for the State it is necessary
to correct existing loose practices to which
Governor Mount has called attention.