Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-01-21
MANY SUGGESTIONS
Continued from third page.
ton against loss by such loans made
nv the state
Other Institutions.

Other Institutions.
"For many years the people Of Wis
consin have had reason for just pride
in the enlightened care which the
state has given to the afflicted classes
of it's citizens who are properly state
charge. While faulty details of man
agement in some cases and individual
official failures in some instances have
been revealed, the conduct of Wiscon
sins charitable, penal and reforma-
tory institutions, as whole, has at
tracted widespread attention and com
mendation throughout the country,
and has furnished models for many
states Occasional abuses as discov-
cred and exposed have served to point
the way to correction and improve
ment, and rarely brought reproach
upon the general system of control
and management. The great evils de-
yeloped in these institutions since
their establishment have resulted
from permitting superior and subor
dinate positions in them to be used IN
varying degree as political patronage.
The desirability of selecting such Of
ficers and employees with primary re
gard to their qualifications and fitness
for peculiar duties, while not a new
discovery, cannot be too frequently
recognized, nor too forcibly empha-
sized. But responsibility for misuse
of the appointing power cannot be es
capped by any temporary plan for shift
ing or dividing it, or by resOrting to
rules and orders subject to revocation
and disregard at pleasure by those
who formulate and promulgate them.
[ am convinced that the successful ap
plication of correct civil service pr!n>
ciples to employment in these institu-
lions always must depend upon the
good faith and purpose of those In
trusted with the appointing power.
Most of the improvement noted in
this direction, I think, may be easily
traced to a recognition of wholesome
public sentiment, rather than to the
efficacy of formal rules. If this is
mistaken conclusion, if mere rules to
govern appointment supply the really
controlling influence, your honorable
body might relieve the governor and
the board of control of serious respon-
sibility, and do permanent good to the
public service, by giving such rules
the force of law. The subject is one
of Importance and worthy your care
full consideration.
''By changing the system of procur
ing supplies and making all purchases
in open market under competitive
bids, the board is able to show very
material saving to the state, notwith-
standing a steady advance in prevail
ing market prices during the last bi
ennia1 term. I am advised by those in
position to know, that in some institu-
tions the expenditures for subsistence
of superintendents and their families,
for entertainment of their friends, fer
carriages, servants, etc., exceeds more
than twice the annual salaries of the
superintendent. 1t is evident that rad
ical and immediate change is de
manded in the existing plan of sup
porting these officers and their fam
lilies. I believe that the legislature
should make adequate and specific
provision for the shelter of the several
superintendent, outside of the insti
buttons, and for limited allowance
for subsistence as we'll; but there can
be no justification or excuse for ex-
travagant expenditure on this account,
or for the entertainment of friends
and visitors of officials at public OK
pense. | am informed that but two
residences will be required in addi-
ton to accommodations already avail
able to provide separate homes for
the superintendent of the several
state institutions.
Trusts and Monopolies.
"The decisions of the courts
are practically uniform to the eff
feet that no one has any right
to enter into any agreement
or combination when the pur-
pose or the effect is to control prices
or create a monopoly Further, it is
also apparent that the right to prohib-
it such contract or combination is
clear, when the object is to control
prices, even if it is not intended un-
reasonably to increase prices.
Evils of this kind exist and are in
operation in every state. Their ex-
tent and harmful effect may or may
not have been exaggerated in the pub
lie estimation, but all must agree that
there is much that ought to receive
the consideration of the legislative
branch of the state government. The
present law of this state on the SUBJ
ject is entirely insufficient, either as
remedy or restraint. In the first
place it only applies to corporations.
It is entirely plain, however, that part
nerships and individuals may enter
into agreements and combinations,
which, in their results, will be just as
disastrous to the public interests as
can any confederation of corporations
It is not perceived that the corporate
character of the party doing it makes