The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-03
THE GOVERNOR AND THE REFORM
ATORY BOARD.


The local Democratic organ-or what is
left OF it-charges Governor Durbin with
converting the Indiana Reformatory into
a wheel of his political machine" and
says "he gave his assurance to the Legis-
lature that IL it would pass his bill remov-
ton which would fully vindicate the Leg
islature's action" The Journal is on rec
ord against introducing partisan politics
into the management Of any OF the State
institutions or converting them into po-
litical machines, and will be very quick to
denounce an open attempt in that direction.
1t opposed the Goodwine bill last winter
because 1t looked like an attempt to intro
duce politics in the management of the
Reformatory by legislating a whole board
out of office without any previous investi-
cation Of charges or reasons assigned. The
present law was intended to give the Gov
ernor a free hand in the appointment of
the board, with a qualified power of re-
moval, thereby investing him with general
supervisory power over the management
should have. 1t would be very bad sys-
tenn that should give him the power to
appoint boards who might thereafter do
as they pleased. The present law did not
legislate any person out of Office. 1t left
vacancies to occur by expiration of terms
or by removal for cause, and in the latter
respect it gives the Governor power enough
and not too much. 1t says 1.-The Governor
may remove any of the managers for cause,
upon written statement made after an
opportunity for a hearing is given, if de-
manded." Under this provision the Gov
ernor may remove any member of the
board for cause deemed sufficient by him
self, and he need not grant hearing I'M
less it be demanded. This is not too much
power to give the chief executive, who is
responsible to the people for the proper
management of the State institutions. 1t
might happen that there was cause for
the removal Of member of the board
known to the Governor and deemed fully
convincing by him, which reasons of public
policy would prevent him from making
known. The law does not say how the
Governor shall obtain information as to
the existence of causes justifying, in his
opinion, a change in the board. He may
obtain his information in any way, and
This is necessary to give the Governor a
free hand, but he is responsible to the peo-
pie for the proper exercise of the power.
The Governor did not promise to make
an investigation of the Reformatory before
making any changes in the old board.
While the Goodwine bill was pending.
which did not pass. he said If that bill were
passed sit will be my most earnest effort
to have thorough investigation made
He said he would make 1T the subject of
his first communication to a new board,
and he expressed his belief that "six
months after a new board has been placed
in control the action of every man who
has In any manner supported the bill will
be indicated" AS the Goodwine bill did
not pass, the Governors promise to order
an investigation was not binding. He never
made any promise as to what he would dc
or would not do under the present law. In
the only changes that have been made in
the board since the present law was passed
the Governor has acted clearly and fully
within his authority. The board is not yet
entirely reorganized. When IT is he may
conclude that the proper time has come te
order an investigation, If he shall conclude
that one Is needed