The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-04-24
Governor at SykesviIle
LIQUOR BANISHED FROM TABLE AT
SPRINGFIELD ASYLUM.
Governor Meets Managers and Makes
Some Good Suggestions.

The announcement made shortly
after Governor Crothers had been in
Quoted into Office that he proposed to
dispense with the serving of wine by
boards of State institutions caused
some little speculation as to whether
the Governors dry" idea or the es-
tabliShed custom would win out. When
dinner was announced at his first Of
fetal visit to Springfield Hospital on
Tuesday the members of the board,
as well as several visitors, cast hur-
ried chances up and down the table
in quest of some indication as to
whether there was anything stronger
than water to drink. This was set
to rest promptly as at each place
there was nothing but a glass Of cold
water, filed to the brinl.
One of the managers called the Gov
errors attention to the fact that
Springfield was one of the State insti-
buttons that over two years ago had
banished intoxicating liquors at board
meetings.
That is an excellent idea,' said
the Governor, land raising a glass
of water, said, This will never hurt
you; it was made for man and there
is nothing more refreshing, whether
it be used inside or out, but what a
different condition it creates when
you color it with liquor. You destroy
it's beauty and put the devil into it,
The Governor made an early start
from Annapolis, leaving at 6.10 a. m.
and arriving in Baltimore an hour
later. Taking train at Camden Sta
ton at 1885 he was soon at Sykesville,
whence he drove two miles to the hos
pital to attend the monthly meeting
of the managers.
1t was the Governors first official
visit and Superintendent Clark, with
the managers, gave him a cordial
greeting.
Il want to look this place over said
the Governor, land if you gentlemen
will accompany me we will start"
Heading the way, they went the rounds
of the buildings. AS he looked over
the inmates he asked many questions,
which were promptly answered. After
going through the buildings the Gov
ernor suggested a tramp over the
farm, and more than two hours were
occupied in the inspection.
At noon the board met and business
of the month was gone over. Dir.
Clark urged the need of a building for
isolated cases, and suggested that
bungalow should at once be erected at
a cost not exceeding $4,000. The sug-
gestion was discussed, but not finally
acted upon.
DR.. Clark also urged the necessity
of completing the electric railroad
from SykesvilIe to the hospital as soon
as possible. This is the railroad for
which the institution asked an appro-
priation of $4,000, half of which was
vetoed by the Governor
Governor Crothers VINO had listened
intently, said: Il have come to the
conclusion that it would be a good
plan for the purchase Of all supplies
for the institutions of the State to be
made by a purchasing committee. In
other words, I believe that business
methods should be used in all
branches of the State government and
economy should be our watchword.
"Since coming into office I find that
different State institutions secure their
supplies through g purchasing COM
nittee appointed by the board. l be-
lieve q great saving could be made to
the State by purchasing the supplies
for all OF the State institutions in bulk.
It is my intention TO ask that a. mem
Der VI tItS pUICIGSlHS COlIuiltlCC VI
each OF the State institutions meet me
for the purpose Of putting into opera
ton the plan | suggest.
These supplies should be purchas-
ed in an open market, and at the low
est possible figure, and by putting the
contract out for an amount which will
probably aggregate several thousand
dollars l believe better terms can be
had than by buying, as is now the
practice, from different dealers with
out competition
The members Of the board agreed
with the Governor that it would be
possible to make a large saving to
the State by putting into operation
such a plan. The Governor said that
he proposed to notify each of the in
situations at an early date TO furnish
him with the amount OF supplies Of
every character used by him, and after
he had obtained this information he
proposed to advertise for bids. The
successful bidder would act as dis
tributing agency and furnish goods
needed by the different institutions
upon demand.