The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-01-23

with this problem (the care Of depend
entsl is appalling This work must be
continued in the interest oe humanity
and for the safety Of the State, bat
some system should be devised BY which
present results can be more economically
obtained, or the burden viii soon over
tax the capacity Of the State
The Governor then explained that IN
der the present laws there were no busi-
ness methods in the management Of the
State institutions.
He stated THAT although the State in
stitutions were worth $4,000. 600. during
the past ten years the State has ex-
pended ss.52s, coo upon them. These ex-
penditures, he said, have been made
piecemea1 and without any reference 70
a complete and consistent State policy.
After commencing the work Of the
Board of Managers of these State insti-
tutions, the Governor explained why he
suggested that the office Of Commis-
sioner Of Charities and Correction be
created. 1T cannot be expected he
stated, sthat they (the Board Of Man
agel9 should give all their time to the
interest of the commonwealth or should
act as sanitary engineers and architects
and day by day watch the progress Of
public buildings. Their uncompensated
services should have assistance.
"A Commissioner of Charities and
Correction, having at his command a
State architect ard a State sanitary en-
gineer, could pass upon all proposed new
buildings or additions to existing insti-
tutions and serve the interests Of econ
omy and our State wards as we'll
The Governor stated that Of $500
600 expended by the State during the
past ten years. at least one-quarer Of
such sum could have been saved with a
proper central supervisor, such as a Com
missioner Of Charities and Correction
He said that such official "could visit
and receive rc fsein MI State in
ations, investigate commitments Of
State wards aHd se i:lt sA'er siaas
ard was maintained in All Institutions
that in any way receive aate funds
There could he no il su lerstanding
as to what the GoverAs meant. IN
brief he wanted to have d Commissioner
Of Charities ard coreet;aa appointed 10
supe-intend all the State Mstitutions ard
supervise the efstioa Of all new
buildings or additions 10 the instituy
tons. The vast power that such an Off
cial would WELD in State affairs can
scarcely be comprehended There is a
rev addition to be erected within the
walls of the State Prison. for which the
last Legislature appropriated $4,000.
Additions are TO be made at the Rah-
way Reformatory at cost Of about
100000; also additions to the State
Hospitals at Trenton and at Morris
Plains, amounting to about S150000.
Besides this, there are other State in
stitutions that will require enlarged
buildings.
The Commissioner of Charities and
Correction would supervise the erection
of all these buildings and wonld be an
swerable TO nobody but himself The
Republican graft-hunters are chuckling
with glee over the prospect Of such an
Office being created. They intend to
spend the interval in manufacturing cam
vas sacks 50 that when the graft is dis
tributed they will not be found wanting
for something to cart it away.
The positions of State Architect and
State Sanitary Engineer viii also be
much sought by the grafters when Gov
ernor Stokes's suggestions are carried out.
These officials will also be in position
to distribute much valuable patrona ge,
and if there is Republican in the State
when the plums are distributed that has
not received one it will be because he
did not want it or because his backing
was not sufficiently strong to entitle him
TO any consideration.
Tire Democrats are keeping silent
about Governor stokess proposition.
They realize that they are helplessiy in
the minority and cannot defeat such a
measure if the Republicans decree to
create Office. but with their voices in the
Senate and House they win place them
selves on record and demonstrate to the
people of the State that they are op-
posed to such graft bill.
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