The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-01-31
INSTITUTIONS TO BE INSPECTED.
Governor Patterson Will Visit Prisons and
Charities.


just as soon as he can find the oppor-
tunity to do so to visit and carefully
inspect all the states charitable, edu
cational and penal institutions. The
governor would be glad to familiarize
himself with the practical operations
of these institutions at cnce, so that he
could have the benefit of the knowl-
edge thereby acquired in acting upon
matters affecting them that may be
brought to his attention by the legis-
lature, but it will be impossible for
him to find the time necessary during
the sessions of the legislature.
However, just as soon after the adj
iournment of the legislature as posi-
BILE it is Gov. Patterson's intention to
make a thorough tour of inspection of
the states institutions. Gov. Patter-
con realizes that without the practical
knowledge Of the actual operations of
these institutions which personal ex-
animation would give, that he will be
badly handicapped in dealing with
them. 1t is his desire to become per-
fectly familiar with the schools and
charities maintained by the state, and
also with the main and branch prisons,
80 that when matters affecting these
institutions are brought to his atten-
tion he can act promptly and intelli-
gently.
When he does inspect the states in
stitutions, Gov. Patterson will not
make it q mere casual and perfunctory
sort of examination, but he expects to
take plenty of time, study the system
in vogue, look into the methods of
bookkeeping and financial manage
ment, and suggest and direct such re-
forms as may appear necessary in the
management. While Gov. Patterson
has given careful attention to the re-
ports of operations of all the states in
stitutions and has in that manner gain
ed at least a book or theoretical
knowledge of their manner of opera
tion, he feels that he can not give to
them that supervision and direction
which the governor should without a
closer view.
The governor has never visited but
few of the states institutions, none OF
his former positions bringing him into
official relations with any of them, but
as the states chief executive, it is his
ambition that every department of the
government shall be run with the
greatest possible economy consistent
with proper management, and that the
employees of the state shall be efficient
and trustworthy. He desires to be as
sured from personal knowledge that
extravaganza and inefficiency have nC
place in the management of any insti
tuition maintained by the taxpayers o
the state.
Gov. Patterson will first visit the
penal institutions, and expects to spen(
several days at the mines at Brushy
} mountain. He will also make thor
ough investigation of the recently &C
qnired Herbert Domain, in order tha
be may have full knowledge of the
: property and be able to act accordingl.
when steps are taken for its develop
ment by the state,
The governor anticipates his visit t.
the mines and to the Herbert Domain
with the keenest pleasure. For no
only will he derive satisfaction from
the knowledge which he will acquir
: by reason thereof, but he is grea
lover of nature aud of out door exer
eise 1t will be no task to Gov. Pat
: terson to tramp over the mountains, a
the exercise and scenery will NOR
than compensate for the exertion nee
essary.
In addition to the penal institutions
Gov Patterson expects at the earlies
possible date to visit the charitable in
= stitutions, the experiment station 9
Knoxville and the Peabody Norml
college. These visits Of inspection AL
j. examination will be made periodical
during the administration. Not onl
will they give the governor that know
edge which he desires of the actui
operations of places maintained by Il
taxpayers, but the fact that these VII
v its are to be made at any time wi
doubtless act as deterrent upon au
officials who might incline to count
. nance extravaganza or inetficiency
the management of the institutions.
It is Gov. Patterson's ambition
make business governor He che
ishes the laudable and wholly cor
meudable ambition to hand down b
administration as one characterized |
~ close attention to all the details of Il
government, the correction of al
- abuses that may exist and the reforr
J. alton of any systems that may be e
travagant or inefficient. That the ne
, executive has the energy to carry in
execution his plans for supervision
the states institutions those who knC
him can not doubt. The man W
. made the very strenuous and ach
campaign of more than year, prob
bly, the longest and most arduous ca
Ss IS paign ever made in the history of Te
nessee, is not one to balk at difficult
or fail to perform services requiri