The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-06
ODELL'S "JAMNING" PROCESS.
1T rs TO BE EXTENDED TO HIS
PET MEASURES.
Bills which Aim to Complete His Centred
Of state Institutions 70 he Pushed
by His Direction Before Agftstion
Against Them Becomes Toe Strong.

sSssss VhssAs ANN ~ SStsspsusO 80
ef state Institution 70 Re Pushed
by His Direction Before Agitation
Against Them Becomes Toe Strong.
ALBANY, April .5.-The 'jamming' pro-
cess invented by Gov, Odell 10 to be ex-
tended to the bills pending In the Legis-
lature which aim to complete the centraiisa-
ton at Albany under political appointees
OF the Governor Of the State charitable and
insane hospitals. Orders have come from
the Executive Chamber that these bills
must be pushed before the agitation against
them becomes too strong. In the prepa-
ration and suggestion OF these measures
Gov. Odell seems to have consulted no more
wiser head than he called to his aid when
he decided upon his unusual tax legiala-
ton. The Governors wiser head IN the
charity field Is the Fiscal Supervisor OF
State Charities, Harry II. Bender.
Every one was surprised when last spring
Gov Odell elevated Mr.. Bender to his
present place. which pays him $500
year in salary and expenses. Mr.. Bender
had never had any experience in the chart
| table field OF work. but had been regarded
rather as an adept In the art OF collecting
and disbursing campaign funds. In fact.
his ability in this direction Is the only thing
that is pointed to when people ask why
he should be 30 signally favored with po-
litical office.
No sooner had he assumed office than
Gov. Odell. absolutely uniformed himself
with regard to the great charitable inter-
ests Of the State, except when, as chair
man OF the Republican State Committee,
he followed up some Of the avenues leading
TO political patronage, started in to make
| the most radical recommendation affect
ing the administration Of the charitable
and penal institutions Of the State. He
studiously disregarded the advice and the
assistance Of the hundreds of philanthropic
people throughout the State, some of whom
have given their lives TO this work with
out compensation. Instead. the Governor
has relied mainly upon the counsel and
| assistance OF interested politicians in carry
ing his plans into effect.
The volunteer philanthropists were, Of
course. too .impractcable." and besides
| they had no interest in helping the Gov
ernor get control of the patronage Of these
institutions, aggregating an expenditure
Of nearly 100000 annually. The Gov
| ernor has followed this course each year
since he has held Office. with a view only
to the complete prostitution OF the whole
SHdtNy syStcm 70 tHc, tUus Vi DlS COi-
templated personal political State machine.
II was thought that the last election,
| which resulted i'm the Republicans losing
seven Senators, largely through the Gov
| ernor's course with the charities, would
have a SOLDERING effect; but not so. Legs-
lation to complete and make sure the Gov
ernor's control of the State institutions
| il not to be a. ndoned.
Take. for instance, the Governors rec
ommendation to the present Legislature
regarding the turning OF the state keforma-
tory for Women at Bedford. Westchester
county, into State hospital. The State
had spent a half million dollars at Bed
ford. The suggestion for the change,
it turned out. came from the wiser head !
| OF Supervisor Bender and he has told his
! in order TO justify the Governors appoint
| ment of him.
The .impracticable' philanthropists who
had secured the construction OF the reforma-
tory and were ANXIOUS for its perpet uation
the city Of New fork-Protestant Catholic
and Hebrew-besides many that are not
| sectarian, were present in opposition to
the measure at the hearing given by the
Senate Finance COMMITTEES. They showed
| conclusively that Bedford was not suited
for a big insane asylum and that, in any
| event. the reformatory was an absolute
need.
| Supervisor Bender was confused beyond
measure. as the few arguments he advanced
| we're so completely met and refuted. Pre-
vious TO the hearing he announced that he
was going TO rip things wide open. and
consequently had number OF his friends
present to witness his efforts. The APP
| pearance of Supervisor Bender and his lame
explanations apparently had the effect OF
putting the bill to sleep. for II is still in the
committee. But the word has gone forth
from the Governor that II must pass.
Senator Ramsperger's bill introduced at
| the instance OF the Governor and the State
Commission In Lunacy. Is another instance
! Of the Capitalization process in the manage
ment Of the State institutions, which be-
| gan with Gov. Odell's Inauguration. and
has been going craftily forward with de-
liberate purpose. The inevitable result
has been that the management Of these
great charities are sinking farther and
farther from the public gaze into the realms
OF addition. division and silence At
present the superintendents OF these hos
pitfalls act as treasurers, without any addi-
tional compensation. Some OF them are.
| however, looked upon with more or less
suspicion regarding their loyalty to the
| Capitalization body at Albany.
| The Transporter bill enables the State
Lunacy Commission to appoint treasurer
to act for all Of the hospitals. One treas
urer, probably a machine politician like
| Supervisor Bender. appointed at a good
round salary, would much more readily
appreciate the golden rule Of silence This
| bill also provides that the State Com
! mission In Lunacy may appoint an agent
! TO purchase all supplies for these insttu-
tons. Supplies for the use Of the hospi-
tails are purchased annually to the amount
| of 81 SOC. 900. much Of this being paid out
| for groceries and provisions, such as are
| furnished by j. w. Mathews d Co Of the
great commercial centre Of Newburgh.
For the various State hospitals, the
charitable and reformatory institutions
and the prisons about 81 zoo, 900 Is annually
expended for supplies Under the Cover
nor's Capitalization programme the ex-
penditure Of this vast sum Ia now placed
! IN the hands Of men who owe their position
| TO political influence, with practically. no
| check or supervision such Ms existed In
the state hospitals for the insane before
| the prominent men and women comprising
! the boards OF managers were so uncere-
moniousiy and ruthlessly thrown out at
lie direct command OF the Governor,