The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-06
SUCCESS OF NoNPARTIsAN CONTROL.

Those who have given attention to the
workings Of the nonpartisan system in the
management of the States charitable and
reformatory institutions must have come
to the conclusion that II has been highly
successful. Under the law which estab-
fishes nonpartisan boards a merit system
for the selection of all subordinates was es-
tablshed. The employee does not depend
upon political backing. but holds the position
upon merit or loses it because incompetent
or negligent. The result of this rule is that
there is no longer a demand TO keep on the
pay-rolls more persons than are needed
and no person who is inefficient. Both par
ties being represented upon every board Of
which men constitute the majority, these
boards conduct the affairs of their respec-
tive institutions upon business principles.
For supplies, the lowest responsible bidders
are awarded the contracts, while the publ
cation quarterly in the Bulletin of the
Board of Charities of the prices paid for
supplies and the cost of general mainte-
nance enables each board to know what the
others are expanding for similar articles.
With appropriations for maintenance based
upon prices prevailing two years ago 1t
might have been expected that the institu-
Legislature with deficits. 1t is a high testi-
monial to the efficiency of all the boards
that no institution expended more than its
appropriation for the year which ended
October 81. That all of these institutions
completed the year on their appropriations
boards and the superintendent under them
To do this some OF the institutions were
obliged to curtail in some directions, but
curtailment is better than to exceed the
| provisions made by the Legislature.
| Management by partisan boards is GER
tain to provoke scandals and lead to inves.
legations. which are never satisfactory
Both parties being represented upon boards
there Is less pretext for harsh criticism
| from a partisan standpoint. Furthermore
the service being upon the merit system
there is far less danger of abuses III the in
troll in neighboring States there have beer
charges of bad management, and, wher
forced to consider the charges. the investi
| cations were made by partisan boards. An
other point in favor of nonpartisan con
troll and a very strong one, is that on,
party being in power several years in tn,
| State. under partisan control the minority
party would be deprived of all participation
or voice in managing the institutions IL
which all are interested. Very naturally
| the minority would cease to have the inter
est in the welfare of such institutions which
all citizens should take. or, If they SHOULD
take any interest, it would be to criticise
and. under the impulse of partisanship, t,
criticise in a partisan spirit. The bringin,
of all the institutions under nonpartisal
boards deprives either party of pretex
to make political capital out of the manage
ment. Nonpartisanship seems to have 81
commended itself to Governor Durbin tina
he placed a Democrat on the State prison
board when the law permitted him to nam
Republican.
The principle of nonpartisan representa-
ton on executive or investigating board
has been recognized by Congress. TIL
Philippine commission is comprised of mel
Of both parties; so is the Worlds fair board
the isthmian canal board, and many other
which might be named. 1t is done becaus
both parties in Congress recognize the jus
tice as well as the wisdom Of such a policy