Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-01-19

brought to the attention Of the state
board of children's guardians nearly 500
of them We're returned to the care of
their parents These otherwise would
have been charges upon society. 1t is not
unfair to assume that an equally large
proportion Of all the dependents now
supported by the state and the counties
could be cared for at the expense of their
relatives, who owe a moral duty to the
unfortunate members of the family that
they cannot honorably shift. Certainly
the least the relatives of dependents can
TO is to contribute toward their support
rs much as it would cost to maintain
them at home.
Under the present law the state cares
for those unfortunates who have no
established domicile. This number of ex-
clusiyely state dependents is growing so
rapidly, amounting now to 400, that it
would seem as though a more careful in
vestigation should be made to discover
the actual residence of these dependents
and a more stringent act passed TO fix
the responsibility for their care; other
wise the state will soon become a mere
guardian for every irresponsible and APP
parently homeless dependent.
Character of State Asylums.
The third source of expense in this con-
nection is the character of the state in
stitutions built for the custody of these
wards State pride is always the cry
on the part of those whose eyes delight
in fine architecture and magnificent build
ings. 1t is a kind of self satisfying pa
triotism. This, however. should not be
carried beyond the limit of the states
ability to pay. The best example the
state can set for its citizens is simplicity
and a wise economy in public expendi-
lures When the state has provided for
+ no IF re an1in ,,c
well lighted and comfortable buildings it
has done its duty. One of our institu-
lions has cost the state at the rate of
So 900 an inmate. another at the rate of
81 600 an inmate. When it is considered
that our citizens can be housed in their
own homes at an expense of not more
than $500 an inmate the uselessness of
such expenditures for public institutions
needs only to be stated to be acknowl
edged. Under our present law there is
no businesslike system that tends to Sc
cure the best results for the least money.
The public institutions of the state are
worth 900. Upon them in the last
ten years we have expended IS, SIS, 000
These expenditures have been made
piecemeal, without any reference to a
complete and consistent state policy.
Paid Officials Needed.
New Jersey has one most commendable
feature in connection with her public in
stitutions-her boards of managers, con-
siSting of our best citizens serving the
state without pay. examples of civic pa
triotism worthy of all praise. The work
of these noble men and women cannot be
too highly commended and the freedom
of their action and judgment in the work
should not, in my opinion, be hampered
or curtailed. 1t cannot be expected, how
ever that they should give all their time
to the interest of the commonwealth or
should act as sanitary engineers and ar
chitects and day by day watch the prog
ress of public buildings. Their uncom-
pensated services should have assistance.
A commissioner of charities and correc-
tons. having at his command a state
architect and a state sanitary engineer,
could pass upon all proposed new build
ingS or additions to existing institutions
and serve the interests of economy and
the interests of our state wards as we'll.
OF the SO, 500,0 900 expended during the last
ten Years for this purpose I believe one
fourth could have been saved by proper
central supervision. Any private business
with assets of $12, 900 and expenditures
of $1,311.0O0 annually could not be sue
cessfully carried on without some execu-
tive department Such an official as has
been suggested could visit and receive re-
ports from state institutions investigate
commitments OF state wards and see that
a proper standard be maintained He
should have as his advisory council the
heads of our various institutions. The
practical knowledge of such council
would insure New Jersey a system of
charities and corrections which, like her
courts. would be regarded as exemplary.
Fifty thousand dollars have been spent in
architects fees alone in the last three
years. The proposed department could be
int mod
than is incurred for architects and would
promote other economies as well as rem
der important service to the unfortunate
wards of the state.
Forestry.
OF New Jerseys forestry resources none
are more neglected and none more likely
to add to her reputation than her wood
lands, if properly cared for. We are just
beginning TO realize the Importance of our
forests and the necessity for their preser-
vation They not only furnish timber and
provide an important industry, but they
beautify the country temper the climate.
hold the rainfall fertilize the SOIL furnish
game preserves and conserve our water
supply. an indispensable feature of our
rapidly growing and congested civilization.
The woodlands of our state produce an
annual product amounting to $4,1S2 537.
They cover 46 per cent of the upland area
of New Jersey, and for the most part they
occupy soil that at present is adapted
neither to grazing nor to tillage. These
forests grow without the aid of man, and
as with all wealth provided by nature,
we are most prodigal of the gift and
neglectful of the heritage. Forest fires in
two years destroyed timber worth nearly
half a million, and the indirect loss from
this source-the impoverishment of the
soil and the effect upon the water supply
is beyond calculation in dollars and cents.
The Importance TO human health and
comfort of an abundant supply of whole
some water needs no recommendation
From all over the state we have reports
of the increasing difficulty in obtaining
water of a satisfactory quality and guam
| tity for our municipalities, while the pres
ent supply is rapidly diminishing. The
! springs of our state are lower than they
were fifty years ago. Our wells must be
driven deeper from year to year. Brooks
and rivers once living and flowing no lon
ger exist, and streams once considerable in
size are now. in the heat of summer, mere
tricklng rivulets. Rivers that once float
ed RATS of lumber with ease are now Sc