The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-28
TRUE STATE PRIDE.

In connection with the charge brought
against the managers Of the Reformatory
of discourtesy to the Governor in electing
they are also charged with sacrificing State
pride in electing a superintendent from
outside Of the State. One ardent supporter
Of the Goodwine bill says: IF there was
no Republican In Indiana fit for the posi-
ton Of superintendent 1 would have voted
for an Indiana Democrat before 1 would
have gone outside OF the State for one"
1t is possible worse thing might happen
to a state institution than to have Dem
ocrat for its superintendent. One of the
best managed institutions in the State, and
one that has brought the State as many
compliments as any other, has a Demo-
cratic superintendent who has been retained
several years under the rule Of nonpartisan
management. The Central Hospital for the
Insane is a standing witness Of the wis
dom of removing the state institutions from
politics The worst thing that can happen
to a state institution is to have a superin-
tendent who owes his election to partisan
lnuueHCe OF POLITICAL lntTlSuc- II 10 ldir 10
assume that when the Republican party in
several successive state conventions de-
manded the removal Of the state institu-
tions from politics. it meant from Repub-
lican politics as well as from Democratic.
Nonpartisan management Of state insti-
tutions does not mean that they are to be
protected against Democratic ripper bills
alone. 1t includes also immunity from Re-
publican attacks. The Journal does not
know the politics of the present superin-
tendent OF the Reformatory. He would
probably have to plead guilty to the charge
of being a Republican. though he was not
elected on that account. Members of the
| board say he was elected because they
thought he was the best man they could
| find for the position. Timothy Nicholson,
president of the Board Of State Charities.
who has known the new superintendent for
years. says: "I know of no available man
| In the United States better equipped for
| the position
| 1t is false definition of state pride that
would confine the managers of state in
situations to state lines in selecting super
| intendents for them. The law places no such
| limitation on their action I'm this regard,
and it is not only their right but their
duty to get the fittest men they can for the
| position. irrespective of the place of resi-
dence. In employing professionals or ex-
! perts one tries to get the best. When the
great soldiers monument which adorns
this city was to be built competition for
plans was not restricted to Indiana men.
| 1t was thrown open to the world. and q
German got the award-a foreigner who
had never been in the United States. The
result is something for the State to be
proud of. True state pride does not con-
sist In demanding that our state institu-
| tons shall always be differed by natives
or citizens of Indiana, bat in keeping the
institutions out Of politics ana in saving
them from falling under the influence OF
personal ambition or partisan legislation
True state pride requires that a great po-
litical party. which has done so much tc
give the State honorable prominence shall
not prove false to its reiterated pledges
True state pride should prevent the Repub.
licans OF Indiana from undoing a reform
accomplished under. the leadership of Ben.
jamin Harrison. James A. Mount Charles
w. Fairbanks and scores of others. who
were or are fully committed to the policy
of the present Reformatory law. That 1.
the kind OF state pride we want to cult
vate