The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-12-04
INSTITUTIONS DOING WELL
Those Under State Control are Being
Well Conducted OH an Economic
cal Basis.

Well Conducted OIL an EcOnOmi.
cal Basis.
Probably no one factor in states
craft makes more for the good stand
ing of a political party or a state
administration before the people
than the condition of the public in
stitutions. They are the most expen-
sive department of the state govern
ment. aside from the fact that a
large per cent of the people are per-
sonally interested in some n or
more of them. 1t has been fortu-
nate not only for the republican
party of this state but for several
administrations last past hat our
penal and charitable institutions
have been in such excellent .condi-
ton, not only financially, but ma
terially Il every way that makes for
the Ms..~re of the u~nfortunates
housed therein. They have been
managed by business men in a bust
ness way, men who by painstaking
experience have learned to hanoIe
the problems involved in the care
of derelicts and unfortunates. Graft
and greed and gooss extravaganza
have been eliminated, and nepotism
and favoritism have given place to
efficient service regardless of fac
lions or politics. Instead of dehcien-
cies, there have been for years, I'M
der the present management, respect
able balances on the credit side of
the ledger-the last fisca4 period
showing yer 100000 to the good, of
funds saved that could have been
spent. The morale generally has
been a credit to the state. 1t will be
we'll for the people and for the re-
publican party if such a policy can
be continued in the future. In an
interview with w. E. Upton, a men,
Der of the State Board of Charities
and Corrections, he gave the follow
ing statement:
Eyes, l consider that our penal
and charitable institutions are in as
good condition as 1t is possible to
make them under the present con-
dition of public opinion In this state.
While great advancement has been
made during the last few years, not
only among the people but among
so-called politicians, toward placing
u institutions in proper accord
with the advanced spirit of the age,
still there fingers much of the old
spirit that to the victor belong the
spoils, and that these institutions
and their management are to be
used as rewards for faithful poIiti-|
cal service. These Institutions
should bear practically the same re-
lation to the people as do u public
schools. They should not be left
free to be exploited by political
parties Dr political factions. III
ought to- be made by law a public of
tense fos m member of the State
Board or any officer or employee in
the institutions to contribute to-
ward a POLITICAL campaign or to use
their influence upon any other Off
Ger or employe for political purposes
of politics and politics out of the int
situations. This is the law today in
Iowa and Minnesota and these
states, togetAer with Indiana, are the
hoot rn0narD1 c%of>- tn, ~ rr-t--
as regards their penal and chart
table Institutions. Such a law l be-
lteve Will be passed in this state in
the near future, in fact but for the
want of three votes in the house. It
would have passed at the last ses-
sion. I have NO fears for the i'm
mediate future. Governor elect
vessey is a level headed business
man and has too many of the quail
ties Of Folk and Hughes to be in
fluenced or swayed by a horde of
hungry Office seekers who might be
untitled for the position they seek.
The antiquated laws passed more
than a quarter of a century ago
relative to the Hospital for Insane
should be amended. 1t has been not
only a wonder but a qualification to
the present management that the
services Of such men as DR.. Mead
and DR.. Adams could be retained for
the salaries fixed by that old law.
Similar services the country over are
receiving twice the amount fixed for
these positions"