Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-23

rank of the states of the Union in prison
reform.
| THE Pennsylvania board of charities eX-
posed the evils connected with the county
care Of the insane and caused great I'M
| provement in their condition
| The Illinois board of public charities has
| secured great reductions in the cost Of
| maintaining public institutions without i'm
pairing their efficiency 1t also secured the
adoption of the. segregate plan of caring
| Tor the insane at the Kankakee Hospital,
| thus inaugurati ting a radical improvement in
| the methods of caring for the insane In
state hospitals
The Rhode Island board of state chart
| ties and corrections brought about the con-
version of the state reform school from the
/ prison plan to the family plan.
| The Wisconsin state board of charities
and reform originated the Wisconsin plan
for caring for the chronic insane
| The Michigan state board of corrections
| and charities secured the establishment of
the state agency system, which originated
IN Massachusetts. whereby an agent of the
state is appointed in every county, whose
uuty IL Is to attend the trial of every child
| accused OF crime, guarding the best inter-
ests OF the child. to find homes for home
less children and watch over them in those
homes.
THE Kansas state board of trustees of
state charitable institutions devised and
put in operation business methods in the
| management of the financial affairs of the
state institutions. which have promoted
economy and accountability In every de-
partment.
THE Minnesota state board of correc-
tions and charities caused a Transforming
ton of the proposed state prison into n re-
Iormatory Tor young men.
The Indiana board of state charities as
tomshed the politicians of the state by
choosing as secretary the best qualified
man they could procure in the United
states, regardless of all political considera-
tons
The National Conference.
These good works are but few in
stances, which might be multiplied indefi-
nftely, of the results accomplished by these
boards. Nor has their influence been con-
fined to the states where they exist. The
national conference of charities and cor
rectons. with it's wide-reaching influence
mas been established and maintained by
the Joint action of state boards of chart
ties.
Ihere IS scarcely a state in the Union
which has not been Influenced to a greater
or less degree by boards of charities in
the treatment and care of the insane the
care of dependent children. the treatment
OF young criminals, the business methods CT
pubic institutions, or the architecture of
Its public buildings
Nineteen such boards are now in ex-
1stence. 1t Is not reasonable to presume
that such states as Ohio. Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania. North Carolina, Illinois, Wis
consin. Minnesota and Connecticut would
unite in perpetuating useless or superfuous
agencies.
Changes Needed Here.
The office OF superintendent Of charities
has served to emphasize the desirability of
bringing about important changes in the
management of local charities. The report
OF the congressional commission lays down
the lines upon which great improvements
may be made. To a considerable degree
Congress now stands committed to the pol
icy outlined. There is work projected which
involves such responsibilities and powers
as should hardly be borne and exercised by
any one man. A number of men will be
apt to form a more reliable Judgment as to
how far it is advisable to follow public
sentiment at any particular time and how
far such sentiment should be left behind
Their combined judgment will be apt to be
followed more closely than will that of any
man holding the office of superintendent
and they will be more free from partisan
or sectarian bias. Most of their actions
will DE the result of compromise and will,
therefore, be more conservative and safe
than the action of the superin tendent would
be likely to be. The board would no doubt
be composed of citizens who, by reason Of
long residence in the District and public
servitude already rendered. would COM
mand more loyal support in the commu-
nifty and more attentive hearing in Con-
gress.
THE term OF office of members OF the
board would not be coincident with those
of the Commissioners, and not more than
two appointments the board would be
made in any one year. Thus the proba bill
ties of sudden changes of policy would be
removed. and a course once decided upon
would be followed by its orginators for
length of time sufficient to demonstrate
its wisdom pronounce it a final failure"
The committee Incorporate as part of
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
faVOring the bill.