Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-03
Most Flattering Commentator
of Conditions Found at the
State, Institutions
AsklNGs ATE ALL REASONABLE
The Vital Question is as to Whether
the State is Rich Enough to Afford
All the Appropriations Asked for
First Revival of Visitation System
in Eight Years.
to Ti,nes-Reu,bsicar.


ing commentator of the general man
agement of the state charitable, penal
and educational institutions of the
state could rot very well have been
made than that contained in the re :
ports of the various sub committees of
the Legislative appropriations commit
tees on their return from visitation
tc the Institutions. After the board of
control system was adopted the legis-
latures dropped the old custom of WISH
tation committees and there had been
no such visitation for eight years.
Members of the general assembly con-
ceived the idea that they ought to have
other Information about these twelve
institutions than that furnished by the
board of control and the superintend-
ents, and SO committees OF three We're
sent to each place, and their reports
have only recently been all completed
for the benefit of the appropriations
committees. They reported on the ex-
penditure of the million dollars in per-
|
years and the use made of the two and
a half millions for support. and on the
needs of the institutions with regard
to the million dollars asked for from
this legislature. The reports are uni
formly nattering as to the manage
ment and generally so as to the eX
penditure of the money in the past ard
their burden as to the institutions
needs is that all Is needed that is rec
commended, only there is some question
as to whether the state is rich enough
to afford it all. One committee found
fault because the material that went
into some OF the permanent improve
ments seemed to be not up to the re-
quirements, and there was some dis
position to cut out the items of more
land.
The appropriations committees of
the two houses, working separately, are
engaged in considering the needs of
the institutions one at a time The
members of the board of control are
summoned to these sessions and placed
under rigid examination as to the de-
tails of the work being done and the
the committees that the board has
asked for nothing but that which is
bassd on the NEST careful estimates of
cost; while in cases where the com
inittees of visitation have suggested
retrenchment they have not secured
estimates to back up their suggestions
of economy. When the matter has all
been gone over in committees the gen.
eral appropriation bills will be brought
out and on the senate side, at least,
will be discussed in committee of the
whole.
The committee which visited the
Cherokee insane hospital declared that
the state is to be congratulated on
having retained the services OF SO COM
petent a gentleman as DR.. NJ. ". Void
eng to look after interests of the institu-
ton" Insofar as the committee was
able to discover the states property
there has been we'll cared for and
the institution is on the whole in ex-
cellent condition. There is one excep-
ton noted, but for which neither the
board nor the superintendent can be
held responsible. and that is in regard
to water The committee recommends
that the state build a new and COM
plete independent system of water
works with mains extending from the
river, where the city gets its supply,
and would appropriate $4,000 for this
purpose. The insane hospital, tho
opened since the last legislative SEES
committees would expend $116,000
there, including $4,000 for a cottage
to accommodate 100 persons.
This is a fair sample of the reports
in general.
The industrial school for girls at
Mitchellville, is reported in first
class condition. owing in large meas.
ure, to the wise management of the
board and the efficient service of Su-
perintendent Fitzgerald and further,
that it has never been doing such
good work as now The committee
would not favor the administration
building asked. The report on the in
dustrial school for boys at Eldora,
is almost identical, and the commit
tee that visited there would strike
out the item for cottage asked for.
AT Clarin,la the committee wishes
to commend in highest terms the
management Of this hospital both on
the part of the board of control, the
superintendent, Dr. White, and his
efficient lieutenants." The institution
should have the new cottage for 100,
the coal house, industrial building ana
others asked for by the board.
AT Vinton, the college for the blind,
everything was found in excellent
condition. The committee was es-
pecially warm in approving an item
of $4,000 for fire escapes and one of
5000 for a hospital. 1t is found that
a great many of the blind persons
who go to this school are in need Of
medical treatment or surgical treat
ment and much has been accomplish
ed by those In charge in this direction.
A hospital well fitted UP would be
of great benefit to the blind of the
state.
AT Glenwood, the institution for
the feeble minded, there was refer
ence to the splendid management of
Superintendent Morgridge and his
corps of able assistants. The COM
mittee does not approve of the pro
posed new cottage for boys would
rot buy any more land at present and
believes the estimate of cost for the
power house to be excessive, though
otherwise approving the report.
Al the Fort Madison penitentiary
the committee was highly pleased
with the general management" and
found the sanitary condition good ana
c~,t. all Int <ny.1,3