The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-18

conference are conversant with the sub
ject We All know that efficient service
cannot often be expected OF an appointee
placed in a responsible position. not be-
cause of personal fitness for the work
required, but because he has rendered
some service to same political boss.
For several years the state board of
charities have recommended to the gov
ernor in their biennial reports that the
institutions be completely divorced from
political control. AS a rule the governor
has ignored the recommendation and the
legisla lure passed it by, and We seem to
be as far from the desired object as ever.
Why only 4 few months ago a prominent
politician forced q wholly needless en-
ploye upon a superintendent of one of
our institutions. For. I think, three or
four months she did absolutely nothing
but draw her salary and defy the super
intendent TO discharge her. Such was her
political pull that the board did not feel
equal to the task of discharsing her. She
finally resigned of her own free will,
much to the relief of the superintendent.
The only practical way yet discovered
of divorcing state institutions from po
litical control is the bipartisan board.
Most states now have distinct boards
for each Institution. Seven states have
boards of control for all their instiIu-
tons. They are Kansas, Rhode Island,
Arkansas, South Dakota, Wyoming. Iowa
and Wisconsin. The bipartisan board
unsalaried, only expenses being paid
and separate boards have proven most
satisfactory.
THE merit system of appointments of
employees Immediately supplants political
control and The spolls system of appoint
ments passes into deserved oblivion
IF this conference through it's commit
tee on legislation can induce our next
legislat ure to take our public charities
out of political control and place our
state in The first rank with states that
give their helpless wards him ane civil
lied treatment and care. we will certainly
be entitled TO the gratitude of philan-
thropists and the commentator OF all
right thinking citizens.
a subject which demands the atten-
ton of this conference is the wretched
condition of the jails of the state. So
far as l am informed, there has been
little or no Improvement in the last two
years.
There are very few jails in the state
where separate confinement of prisoners
is possible. Most of them are unsafe as
prisons all are unsanitary and many too
filthy for human habitation. If cleanli-
ness is next to Goodness no improve
ment or reform can be expected OF a
culprit with the surrounding OF filth and
squalor which the ordinary Jail presents
There are many good and sufficient rea-
sons why jails should be so constructed
as to admit OF separation and solitary
confinement.
1T is important, as it prevents the con-
tagion of crime The practice of the
promiscuous confinement II prisoners. the
hardened with the comparatively inno-
cent first offender results in making the
Jail a school OF crime.
-Second-Solitary confinement has sal
utary effect upon first offenders.
''Third-It adds 10 the safety Of the
prison by preventing plots and combina-
tons to break jail.
"Fourth-It has proven, wherever prac-
ticed. 4 wholesome discipline to the hard
eneu. confirmed criminal.
'FIfth-It is a means OF protecting the
better class of prisoners from association
with the vile and depraved.
Being in Akron. Ohio. about q month
ago, / took occasion TO visit the county
Jail, which was but recently finished and
occupied. 1t is said to be the best plan
of jail construction in the United States.
If not in the world II was planned by
+. .. Weary OF Akron. an architect who
has made a study Of prison construction.
through every part OF the building. ex-
planning its different features. I cannot
stop 20 make a detailed description Il
is the separate cell system. built around
an open court, which furnishes abundant
light and ventilation. Baths. hot and
cold water and ali the modern convent
eaoes which make the duties OF manage
ment comparatively simple The whole
place was absolutely clean and orderly.
I believe the value Of cleanliness as
deterrent OF crime is not generally ap-
preciatea.
The architecture OF this jail is not
more expensive than the ordinary Jail
construction Of equal cost
In the state of Minnesota 10 county
can build a jail Until their plans have
been passed upon and approved b. the
state board OF charities y should nave
4 similar law IN This state. Z would r.
salt IN az least a nearly Uniform system
OF jail construction
The system q jail visitation by the
state hoard O. charities. established in
IssI is a good thing Letting the bright
sunlight OF publicity shire ~ these dark
places VIII tend more toward their pcri-
fcation than anything else Jails are
not bad because PeoPle want tlseE1 50.
but because people are ignorant of their
condition. When they become Informed
upon this matter a public sen.imsH; vii
D. created which VIII result n the reno
vatioa OF these moral ana physical PES;
house.
7 desire 20 cali attention 70 ,ne fsds-
pendent charities Of tie state thir.k
there are nov about sorty in Ere state
n lss there we're sWeaty-elght that re-
cesvezf some state aid While Z vas -
The board IN 1891 / visited al q these
institutions. I believe. bat three They
are g great work They AZ organized
and CONDUCTED fran purely phii2usnTogsc