The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-18
ONLY ONE BOARD.
Governor Proposes to Simplify
Control of Institu tiOns.
Would Have All Under a Single
Management.
CIVIL SERVICE RULES.
Employees Would Be Compelled
to Pass an Examination.
More Horse Sense and Less Pol
itics Required.

Governor w. z. Stanley seems to be
earnest in his desire to reform the
methods which have been in vogue so
many years in the management of the
state charitable institutions of this
state. The governor believes first in
civil service. Secondly, he thinks the
penal institutions should be under the
management of one board. Discussing
the first proposition the governor says:
"A reform is needed and needed bad
". I believe that civil service would
be a good thing, but of course some dis
advantages would arise in connection
with the operation of this plan.
My idea of the subject would be to
have a board of three men-men who
stand high in the state; prominent and
successful in business affairs; men of
the strictest integrity and in whom the
people, regardless of party, would have
implicit confidence.
To these men, in my opinion, should
first be intrusted the selection of men
to manage the institutions. In the first
place it would be the part of wis
dom to have these men pass upon the
competency of those who desired places
on the state board OF charities and
upon the board in charge of the
penal institutions
THE selection of the three men
would be all important and am not
prepared to say just how this might be
done, but having selected those men,
then should favor an examination be
ing held at which all applicants for
official positions as members of boards
should be examined.
THE Indication of a knowledge of
business affairs; ability to cope with
important matters and general com
potency to be the requirements. Upon
the character of the examination show
ing to be based the report of the ex-
aminers.
7 would have the law so arranged
that the governor would be restricted,
in making appointments, to the list OF
names indicated as having passed a
creditable examination. If the appli-
cants failed, hold another examination
and proceed in this manner until the
full and complete requirements have
. been complied with.
Then 1 would have an examination
of applicants for positions at the in
stitutions. Some degree of competency
should be shown by applicants Men OF
absolute integrity should also be placed
at the heads of all institutions. Then
their assistants should be of the same
character.
L believe it would be advisable to
have an examination extended to ap-
plicants for positions as attendants at
the asylums; guards at the peniten-
/ tiary; officers at the reform schools and
for all places no matter how small or
how great they may be.
"Of course, the inauguration of this
policy would meet opposition at the
! outset because one party would claim
the other would get in power and could
not be diSlOdged.
There are men in eVery-party seek
ing recognition in a demand for places
which they can not fill. I do not say
this in a complaining spirit but to
prove that every man in the position of
{ governor, having many matters of
patronage with which to deal, meets
this contingency He is compelled to
select from a large list of applicants
If he succeeds, well and good. If he
fails, no difference how good his in
tentions might be, then his troubles
begin.
If we had the civil service system
4 the examination of applicants for these
positions would determine many ques-
tiOns which the appointing power must
+ take chances on. This plan seems to
/ me to be a happy solution of the whole
( matter and I am convinced that if it
/ We're adopted and faithfully carried in
/ to execution it would prove successful
/ Il want to tell you what we need
| everywhere" exclaimed the governor
| bringing his hand down emphatically
upon the arm of his chair. What we
] need-What We need, is more horse
| sense and less politics."
And, in this opinion the people of the
| state will heartily agree with the gov
| ernOr.
! With reference to the second PROPOSE
! ton in the governors plans, these be-
| ing what he expects to recommend to
| the next legislature, he believes that
| the state reform school, the state re-
| fOrmatOry and the penitentiary should
! be managed by one board where there
: are now three boards interested. He
/ favOrs abolishing the board of directors
| of the refOrmatory and penitentiary,
| taking from the board of charities the
! management of the reform school and
! consolidating under one board the three
| institutions which are penal in charac-
| ter.