The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-01-12
the system o, contract iapot mat now

| the system OF contract IAnof mat now
obtains and has obtained for many
years at the state penitentiary. The
| abandonment OF this aystem has been
endorsed by both OF the leading politi'
cal parties in the last two campaigns
in their state platforms. But the sub
stitution OF proper employment for the
1900 men and women confined in the
state penitentlary for the present sys-
TEN of contract labor presents a very
| difficult problem. And this question
is rendered more difficult by the fact
that this system of labor has become
thoroughly established through the
many years that II has been in exist
ence. II q state reformatory could
be established and means Of occu'
patton provided for those confined
therein, ether than by contract labor,
the system could, after proper expert
ment, be extended TO the state peni.
Tertiary. But in addition to this ad-
vantage. the benefit to society of such
an institution is 20 apparent that argu.
ment In its favor Is almost unneces-
sary.
State Departments.
The adoption of more effective ana
busGcaallke methods III the conduct
OF the state departments Is also n mat.
ter well deserving OF your consIdera'
ton. 1t Is a fact well known to all
familiar with conditions that public
affairs are not generally managed
with the efficiency or economy with
which business affairs are conducted,
One OF the evils OF our system OF
pclitCs Is the tendency to create or
to maintain Il greater number Of APP
pointces than are necessary for the
proper conduct Of public affairs. A
correction of this condition Is attend.
ed with more or less difficulties in
view of the fact that it requires the
discharge OF those now In public post.
ton. This question, however, ought
to be dealt with from the standpoint
Of public interest alone.
recommend that committee Of
this general assembly be selected for
llt HHl HpHt VI IHN'"Nl0"'IHN N'N"'
tons In every state department ana
state institution to ascertain II by the
proper systcmati2inE Ct the business
therein the number Of appointens can.
not be greatly reduced and the bust
ness methods therein improved.
There can also be something ehec-
| tive accomplished along this line by
the consolidation OF departments.
Public Accountant.
Experience and observation empha'
size th" necessity for a more depend
able system at examination Of the
books OF accounts Of the various state
| departments and state institutions IN
order that no possible Irregularities
or shortages can occur or continue Tor
| any considerable length OF time.
a more effective system Of account.
ing should also be provided for as
between the state ana tha different
counties Under the ltesent practice,
there doubtless came into the hand
! OF county JiiIciaia considerable sums
Of money on claims payable by th'
| state which are in reality uucHpehdrd,
and amounts ere charged against the
state which in many Instances, should
be paid by the counties or which, on
| closer examination, would be found
not TO be legal charges az al. An OK
animation Of the accounts OF seNeral
! counties has shown nat considerable
| sums Of money on account OF oschealS'
| state witness fees ana charges Tor
| writing up OF the TAX books are prep
ably due the state from many II not
Il majority, of The counties.
\ state oihciu specially charge
with the duty OF making such exam
| nation ana securing me COLLECTION OF
sums due the state, rs well AS the
| examination Of all DOCKS OF AEGEAN
could doubtless secure Tor the STATE
a very considerable SUM oil money lha'
! belongs 10 1t and also prevent the TO-
cuITencc OF such cOhdl IONS aS wei u.s.
irregularities or shortages In the mana
! ling Of the states funds by puDilc ON
Gals charged with their disbursement
UndeVeIoped hesourees'
The result OF The last census cHph1
sizes most impresslyGly the necessity
f.F tFtV, oil lfff lAa Al "a %