The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-21
SENATOR GOODwINE's REFORM
ATORY BILL.

SENATOR GOODWINE'S REFORM
ATORY BILL.
Judging from the information at hand
to the passage of Senator Goodwine's bill
TO reorganize the Indiana Reformatory. The
reasons assigned for the opposition are
mainly on the line of those already given
by the Journal and are based considera-
tons Of public policy, good government and
opinion that those considerations furnish
ground enough for opposing the bill with
out going into the personal aspects of the
case. AS yet no reasons Of public policy
have been stated why the bill should pass,
and very strong ones are given why it
favor the bill would find IL impossible to
give any reason of that kind for abandon
ing the policy of nonpartisan management
of the State institutions, and not only fac
ing but taking a long step towards re-
turn to the vicious policy Of former years.
Nothing in the recent record of the Re
publican party in this State has been more
creditable or has won more popular ap-
prevail than it's successful fight for remov-
ing the State institutions from politics and
placing them under nonpartisan control.
The Republican State convention of 1884 de-
as shall take the administration of the
prisons and the Reformatory and benevo-
lent institutions of the State out of the do
main of party politics" In a can
vass of the entire State Gen. BENJAMIN
Harrison advocated this policy in every
from the beginning. The Republican con-
vention in 1890 said: 1--WE demand that our
State institutions be placed above the level
OF partisan politics, and that they be con-
trolled by boards composed Of members of
different political parties appointed by the
Governor" The State convention of 1892
declared that I'VE demand an absolutely
nonpartisan management Of the benevo-
lent. penal and reformatory institutions of
the State through boards whose members
shall be appointed by the Governor from
the different political parties of the State"
Those declarations and public agitation of
the question resulted in the passage of laws
which. as far as possible. removed all the
State institutions from politics and placed
them under nonpartisan control. A reversal
of that policy a variation from it in the
case of any institution could only be justi-
fled by proof that it has been a failure or
by other high considerations of public well
agement of all the institutions has greatly
improved. and they are now regarded as
models for other States to initiate. Gov
ernor Mount said in his annual message of
1899: 'Never In the history of the benevo-
lent institutions of the State has the man
agement been more efficient or so free from
scandal" In the year that this was written
Warden Hert was offered the superintend-
ency Of the Boston Almshouse and Deputy
Warden Garvin was offered the wardenship
of the Connecticut State Prison. Thus the
Improvement of the institutions under nom
States. A legislative committee appointed
in 1901 to visit and report upon all the
| State institutions consisted of Senator
Goodwine. chairman, and Representatives
Artman and Garner. In their report. which
contained many details. they said: 1.-The
committee desires to commend in general
the management Of the institutions visited
believing that Indiana now has the services
of a number of the ablest men in this
country at the heads of many of these in
stitutions.' Later. when there were vague
| and irresponsible charges of mismanage.
ment in the Reformatory. special com.
mittee. consisting of Messrs. Ball. Garner
Whitcomb, Bonham. Joss and Cregor, was
appointed to investigate the institution. This
committee reported unanimously that THE
management of the said Reformatory 1:
good, and the work of successful reform In
the matter of the control and management
thereof has gradually progressed until sale
Reformatory is numbered among the best
Therefore, the judgment of your committee
from all the evidence before 1T. is that the
charges made. against the management o.
said Reformatory are not sustained" No
person who knows the present members o.
the board-two Republicans and two Demo
| CIdtS VI nigh stdHulHs anu uillIlpedCUdDlt
Observation-Disclosures that there has been an,
wrongdoing or irregularity under thei
management or any deviation from thu
strict letter of the law. To Iegislate then
out OF office without an investigation an,
without charges would be grossly unjust t.
them and a violation Of the spirit of TIL
law which says they may be removed onl,
upon charges Of misconduct or neglect o
duty.
In view of these and other reasons o
like nature which might be cited tn
Journal believes that the passage Of tn
Goodwine bill would be a departure fror
sound principle and good administrative
methods. and an entering wedge that wi
ultimately destroy the last vestige of tn
nonpartisan control of the States grea
charities.
CONVICT LABOR.