The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-18
THE LEON REPORTER THURSDAY. JANUARY Isl 1900

Great care, however. should be exer-
cised. for it must be borne in mind that
tits easier for state, as well as for an
individual. to incur a liability than to
discharge one.
The ever-present temptation to plan
only for today, and to build temporary
sheds where permanent structures are
needed, should so far as possible be re-
pressed. Iowa will appear on the map
of the world forever. and her popula-
ton will multiply with the years. Wise
planning for the future distinguishes
the statesman from the mere politician.
think, therefore. in expanding the
somewhat more than million dollars
now or soon to be available. at least
a portion should be so placed as to
furnish enduring evidences Of your
wisdom.
State Board enth general as
of sembly made pro-
Coptro, vision for board
Of control, which,
for nearly two years, has had the man
agement Of all our state Institutions.
excepting those purely educational.
The policy thus inaugurated has re-
suited in a very cons derabie saving to
the state, and in addition the service
at most of the institutions, I am per-
suaded, has been improved. When the
amount of work necessary to reorgan-
ize the operative force of thirteen state
institutions and personally examine the
practical operations of each institution
separately and to all Jointly. to install
a main office at the capitol with its
corps of untried clerks and assistants
is considered, it must be conceded that
the three men composing this board
undertook. on July 1, 1898, an Hercu-
lean task. The results show more
clearly than any words of mine how
conscientiously this duty was under
taken and how earnestly, faithfully and
untiringly It has been prosecuted. To
justify the board of control system, 1t
Is not necessary to defend each sep
arate act, or to indorse the policy Of
the hoard in every particular. If err
rors have been committed. the lessons
taught thereby will not need repeat
ing. Tine will strengthen that which
ds weak, and experience will supply
whatever may be wanting.
Great care should
Not be exarci .ed that
Too Much the revenues Of the
Eco,omv STATE be not vast
ed; but. while this
is true. the unfortunate inmates of OR
hospitals for the insane. the Institution
for the Feeble nded. the College and
the Industrial Home for the Blind, the
School for the Deaf. the Soldiers
PAHsAAHS $1,000, 1890 SoPSSs~i'y s-AS 49,
diers' home, should be cared for-not
lavishly, but literally. The people of
the state will approve policy that in
sures ample food and suitable clothing
for the inmates of all these institu-
lions, and the employment Of teachers,
where required. the equal in qualifica-
ton and ap ness with those engaged by
public school boards to instruct the
more fortunate. 1t is idle to suppose
that equivalent talent can be Obtained
to teach the same branches to the deaf,
the blind. and the feeble minded at
less wages than are paid amid more
copgerial dings Intellectual
ability and skill have a market value:
and the state or individual that buys
below current rates will receive eorre-
spending service. The dominant senti-
ment Of Iowa istfavorable to good
wages. and the state should not by ex-
ample teach private corporations les
sons in economy at the expense Of la
Dor. All that the people of the state
of Iowa require is 100 cents In service
for each dollar expended. and no one
need ever expect more. The board of
control will neither squander nor recS-
lessly expend any appropriation the
general assembly may place at it's dis
~