The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-09

Total purchases 90 o4i 90
Innovations and Changes.
The board recites the following innova-
tons and changes in the system 1t has
inaugurated:
1t has caused annual inventories Of supplies
to be taken at each institution, and careful
accounts checked up Of supplies used, in order
to show at any time the stock on hand
1t has made and enforced rule against nepo-
tism so that no relative Of a member Of the
board shall be employed by it, and no relative
Of the head of institution shall be employed
under him.
1t has absolutely barred politics from the in
situations, and has placed full responsibility
for conduct Of employees in the hands of each
superintendent.
1t has kept in mind the welfare Of inmates,
devotng it's best efforts to seeing THAT all
have plenty of wholesome, well cooked food, and
a sufficient amount Of work to occupy them and
keep their minds from dwelling on their con-
dition.''
1t has kept on hand a complete bill Of fare
for every meal served at each institution.
1t has inaugurated the manufacture of boots
and shoes at the state refOrmatory, to supply
some Of the other institutions.
1t manufactures all the soap used at the in
situations at the Rochester hospital. Brooms for
all institutions made at the school for the
blind.
The Hastings asylum garden has supplied
that institution and the penitentiary with vege-
tables.
Plain sewing, lace making, ETC., have been
encouraged among the female insane.
Plans have been II atured for growing sorghum
cane and making syrup next year to supply alt
the institutions. ~-' ~ ;, -. '.''
The board has held helpful quarterlys CONFER
ences with the heads of institutions.
1t has purchased all supplies on estimates by
superintendent. and on competitive bids which
are kept confidential. However, the books of the
board open for the inspection Of the governor
the public examiner. committees from either
branch of the legislature, or any court of record
The board has rewritten all insurance On state
buildings at an annual saving Of $4,000.
More county fails and lockups have been in
spected and condemned than under the board
of charities and corrections and more insane and
paupers have been deported
The board has raised all salaries less than $100
per month 10 per cent.
The board recommends that separate homes
be built for the nurses in the hospitals so that
they sleep apart from the scene of their
daily work and have the luxury of privacy.
The Educational Controversy.
A lengthy history is given of the con-
.roversies with the university regents and
the state normal board. The board of con-
troll states that it never thought the edu-
cational institutions. should be included
under it's supervision, and that it is i'm
practicable to manage them by divided
authority. Since the state auditor con-
cluded to pass warrants from the univer-
sity without the approval of the board of
control no further effort has been made
to enforce authority in that direction but
the board won over the normal board, and
is now exercising financial supervision over
| the normal schools, turning into the treas
ury $4,000 Of unexpended appropriations.
| The chapter closes with a compliment
| tary reference to Governor Van SAINT for
his interest in the work Of the board. and
for keeping his word in refusing to inf1u-
ence appointments.