New-York tribune., 1902-01-17
THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOSPITALS


In his efforts to give the State Of New-York
an economical business administration Cover
nor Odell naturally finds himself occasionally
in opposition to people identified with the sys-
TENS he purposes to reform. The radical diff
ference between his views as to the manage
ment of the State hospitals for the insane and
those entertained by the State Board of Chari-
ties and the State Charities Aid Association is
not altogether surprising 1t was under the
auspices of the latter organization that the
State Care act was passed and the State hos
pitfalls were equipped. and ii is-and not un-
reasonably-on the defensive when criticism of
any part of it's handiwork is heard
The Governors recommendations, which have
been embodied in bills now before the Senate
and Assembly for the abolition of the local
State hospital boards of managers and the
transferrence of their powers to the State Com
mission in Lunacy, are familiar 10 our readers
as also is the rejOinder of the State Charities
Aid Association, both of which published
recently. In general. the position of the aSsO-
citation seems to be that even if a saving of
$500 900 a year could be effected by the central
iZatiOn of power prOposed-and the Governor
makes that as a minimum estmate-the change
would not be justified. While practically offer
ing no denial of the Governors statements that
system of local boards, with responsibility di-
vided between them and the Commission in
Lunacy, is relatively extravagant, the assocla-
ton members allege that the commissions
powers are already sufficient to check such
abuses, if they do exist
The two objections of most obvious weight
opposed 10 Governor Odelrs policy are that
while precedent has decreed that the State
commission shall be non-partisaH, there is no
positive guarantee that at some time it may
mot become strongly partisan and that the
work of the four visiting committees appointed
for one year. which are provided for In the
Administration BILL each visiting several large
institutions and vested with no authority
whatever could not take the place of that
accomplished by separate boards OF managers
''for each institution. bringing 10 their work
''the knowledge and experience gained in a
"seven years term of office frequently ex-
tended by reappointment" The first objection
relating TO a remote contingency and applying
also to the present functions of the commits
sion, may be dismissed from serious consdera-
tion when weighed against the immediate sub
stantial economy contemplated. The second,
which raises the question of a more or less
intimate personal interest in the States insane
wards on the part OF the members Of the
visiting committees, is worthy OF more sym
pathetic attention; but there would seem 10 he
no reason why the Governor should not make
his appointments to the new committees from
the membership OF the old boards Of managers
There has been much criticism OF the heavy
expense attendant upon the State care system
and the friends and Originators of plan in
the main admirable should think twice be-
fore they bring railing accusations of politics"
against a Governor who is apparently doing
his best TO free 1t from its imperfections.