The Penn's Grove record., 1912-01-12
for the whole matter needs reconsid-

for the whole matter needs reconsid-
Grafton.
Along with this systematic reconsid-
Grafton of our methods of assessments
and taxation should 60 a very thor
ough examination of our tax system
itself; it's basis and principle. Per
haps we shall be in a better position
after making our machinery suitable
and adequate to discover the weak
places in the bases of taxation. Sonn-
eror later we shall be obliged to ex-
anime them to the bottom.
Are we systematic, have we proper
ly combined our instrumentalities and
adequately equipped them with au-
thority in the great matter of the con-
servation of our naturally splendid
and abundant resources? Conserva-
ton is not a matter which can
now be satisfactorily handled by an
occasional act of legislation. We must
hit upon a system, and somebody in
particular must be charged with the
responsibility Of administering it-not
a half dozen different bodies, or even
two or three, but some one body serv-
ed and assisted by the constant and
intelligent advice Of experts. This
great matter, too, should be brought
earnestly urge you to authorize and
provide for. l do not mean that i'm
mediate individual steps toward coil
~servation cannot be taken by statute,
but that we must hereafter depend
upon system, not upon the casual vigi-
lance of individual legislators.
One important matter Of administra-
ton can be and should be taken up at
once and promptly provided for by
legislation. l mean the administration
of the charitable and correctional in
stitutions ofthe State. These institu-
lions have been established and devel-
oped in entire separateness. There no
where exists any authority which
can coordinate them or bring them
into practical and serviceable coop
Grafton. Their inmates cannot be re-
classified or redistributed if once,
by any mistake, they have been
wrongly placed, or If they de-
velop in a way not looked for
when they were sent for treatment
or segregation to a particular institu-
ton. The result is that individual in
situations are authorized to do several
kinds of work at once. for some Of
which they were not intended, and are,
therefore, not equipped. They very
properly have their separate establish
ments under separate boards of man
ayers, but these boards and the super
intendents of the several institutions
should be brought in to cooperation and
a comprehensive system of charity and
correction made possible, which will
increase efficiency and prevent waste
and Intellectual effort. This can be
done by a reform very similar to that
so fortunately effected last winter in
the administration of our State sys-
tenn of schools: by granting proper
supervisory authority to the Com
missioner Of Charities and Correction
and associating with him a small, re-
sponsible board, which may in turn,
together with the Commissioner, ad-
wise with the superintendent and di-
rectors of the various institutions.
Other States have already shown us
the way in this important reform of
organization, and we should feel i'm
PEELED to take it by reasons of human
ity as well as of efficiency and econo-
my.
In this connection l would urge very
strongly upon the Legislature the
need of a reformatory for m A
suitable site has already been chosen
in Hunterdon county, near Clinton,
and purchased by the authority of the
State, and men and women whom the
whole State knows and trusts have
prepared plans for an institution for
which all recognize the immediate
need.
There is another matter which
should no longer be left at loose ends
without thorough reorganization. I
mean the supervisor of the health of
the State. l intend no criticism of
our excellent Board of Health, but
only repeat the testimony of its own
members when I say that our present
means for safeguarding the health of
the State are entirely inadequate. 1t
is not generally realized how vast,
complicated and difficult a matter 1t
has become since we began to per-
ceive what it is really the duty Of the
State to do for the health of it's peo-
pie. Every sort of infection must be
guarded against. A costly war must
be waged on the mosquito and the
housefy, those active breeders of dis
ease The dissemination of poisonous
gases from factories, from locomotive
engines and from the vast bodies of
smoke which pervade our cities must
be prevented. The dairy business
must be sharply supervised along with
cold storage and the handling of food
stuffs in the markets. Oyster beds
must be inspected and guarded against
pollution. The adulteration of foods
must be prevented. There must be
some thorough and efficient system of
keeping our lakes and streams from
pollution. Sewage must be supervised
and properly regulated. Systematic
war must be made with such diseases
as tuberculosis, and the State must be
guarded against the Introduction of
fatal epidemics from every quarter.
Garbage collection and disposal must
be systematized and regulated. Thor
ough inspection must be carried into a
score of places where disease is most
likely to originate. Have we the ma
chinery for these great tasks? Have
we made sure of the service of ex-
perts, doctors, engineers, biologists,
whose advice will enable us to feel
that we have done Jul duty by the
people of the State, that we would at
tant matter of the conservation of
their lives and health? Is 1t not our
l So