The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-01-10


 dicap to its development The appeal that it can make to prospective stu dents is weaker than if it were located mld-state near railway facilities, condition that is not present in the in- stance of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at New Haven. where much valuable research work is also being done by a corps of experts. To the self sacrificing and humanity loving men who have given voluntary and wise attention to the needs of the mentally unfortunate at Middletown and Norwich as trustees the state of Connecticut owes its thanks in deep measure. The broken and sick old sol dier and sailor find shelter and comfort in their declining days in the well managed Fitch's Home at Noroton. Al like high standard of service obtains at the States Prison where public spirited men are endeavoring to institute reme- dial and corrective influence upon those of criminal tendencies; and a similar word should be said for all oth- CT state institutions.
 Without therefore in the remotest degree meaning to imply criticism of the Boards of Trustees or of the man agement of any of our state institu- tlons, but expressly and explicitly stat- ing that their management is honest, disinterested and capable, I neverthe- less deem 1t for the best interests of the state, that all supplies and material used by state institutions should be bought by a purchasing agent who should serve under the direction of the State Comptroller. The duty of such purchasing agent should be to see that all goods that are purchased be of a standard quality and at the lowest mar ket price bid upon proposals furnished by the state, in the same way as that operated by the United States govern ment, And believe it desirable that all books of state institutions pertain- ing to cash transactions should be kept in the office of the state treasurer, and that all bills contracted by the state should be paid by the state treasurer.
 The single item of coal amounts to more than 20,0OO tons, and 6,S26 barrels of flour were consumed last year; meats used in the institutions cost more than $60,OOO. My recommenda- tion is made upon the certain knowl- edge that a large amount of money can be saved by putting the purchasing business under one head.
 I would in this connection add the suggestion that the insurance upon all state institutions and all state proper ty should be placed in the hands of one official, possibly the State Comptroller of the Insurance Commissioner, in, stead of leaving the matter to the management of the several boards of trustees.
 It is not from any desire to save 4 money for sinking fund or a surplus. nor to care for the payment of any bonds, but for the sole purpose of saw ing money by the introduction Of business system and the thrift that re- < suits from uniform organization that | urge this matter The money saved Dy' its adoption can be put to service in di- : rections where 1t is urgently needed and where it will accomplish additional good for the charities of the state.
 Sundry Supplies and Gratuities.
 The previous experiences of General Assemblies make me feel 1t my duty to call attention to certain extraVagances that have grown from small begia- nings. It is necessary for the mem- bers of the legislature to have station- cry and other sundry supplies in order to do their wosk with comfort and con- venience But is it necessary to order , wastefully and sufficiently to supply those who trouble members of the leg islature almost to exasperation with their importunites?
 For the last General Assembly there was expended under the head of sta- tionery, looming big among which are the knife and fountain pen items the sum of $15,513S1. I would recommend that all supplies be procured by each member through the office of the Comptroller and that the Comptroller be authorized to purchase such SUD- plies. as provided by Statute Number 12S.
 Another subject which touches the pocket nerve of many who during the session come to be closely associated with members of the legislature is that of gratuities. They are pretty well paid for the services they render to the state during the session. And l raise 1 the question for your own determina- tion whether previous General Assem- plies did wisely in granting gratuities l to capitol employees in addition to their salaries and to others who are not efn- ployes. For instance, find that in 1905 there was voted to attaches of the capitol $1,000.00; to attaches of the House $2OO0O; to attaches of the Sen-s ate $1,35OOO; and to other persons not connected officially with the General Assembly, but temporarily in the cap~ itol, $450,00 and to representatives of newspapers, some of whom served through the entire session and some of whom were not so consistent in at- tendance and reportorial service. the sum of $5,40000 It may be defensible in degree to grant an appropriation to l newspaper representatives who cover the entire session, and thereby dissem- l mate important information of the leg l Iislative doins to the general public, if 0 their names be not followed on the list 7 by others who have not rendered ser- t vice at all approximate.
 Lobby Activity.
 3 realize that it is needful to explain 3 to members of any legislature many l measures pending before it. And it is r to be expected that citizens who have r an interest in particular matters will t seek an opportunity to enlist the supp port of legislators. Such well informed persons have a more intimate knowl- q ledpa of this ar that particular bill than