The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-01-10

liable Institutions We are now build
ing one of the most sanitary and mod
ern prisons in the world and the man.
agement of that institution is admit
tedly one of the best in the country.
In our prison and refOrmatOry we
have made provision for the employ
ment and compensation of the pris.
Oners and in many cases where fam
lilies are found dependent upon pris-
onerS, a certain portion of the pris-
oner's compensation is paid directly
to the family. No state in the Union
profits more by the labor of its pris.
oners and it can, therefore, afford to
be liberal in the payment of compen-
sation, so as to provide for dependent
mothers and children, who through
Imprisonment of the husband have
been bereft of family support.
The one great principle involved in
the prevention of crime is the main
tenance of the home through which
the children can be provided for kept
in school and given suitable recrea-
ton and employment. When the fam
lily is broken up and the children per
mitted to drift upon the streets with
out supervision, recreation or EN-.
ployment, it is only a question of
time when some of them will finally
stray away, drift into error and crime
and land in our penal institution. If
there is anything that reflects dis
credit upon America it is the fact
that our homes are SO easily broken
up, marriage vows so readily dis
solved and the children permitted to
pursue their own course without SUI
naruicinn nr ri lnntcIo-
ton, therefore, which will tend to
keep the home intact and bind its
members more closely together, keep
children under proper supervision and
guidance, promote health, and assist
in securing wholesome recreation and
employment, will have direct bear
ing upon the lessening of distress.
poverty and crime Where the pa
rents are found unable to take care of
the children they should be given
suitable assistance, for it costs the
state only about one-half as much to
assist worthy mother in the care of
her children as to provide for them
in a state institution. Every effort,
therefore, on the part of the state to
lessen and prevent crime must be
conferred about the home.
Public Health.
Minnesota is recognized as a lead
er in the conservation movement. The
greatest national and state gatherings
held for the purpose of conserving
material and human resources have
been held here. At all these meetings
l have made special effort to secure
the consideration of every question
connected with the conservation of
human life. 1t is a sad reflection
upon the intelligence of our age and
the integrity of our nation, that from
a public standpoint, less considera
ton is given to the health of human
beings than to the health of domestic
animals. In accordance with a very
i able decision of our supreme court,
cities and villages are now held re-
sponsible for unsanitary conditions
within their borders which cause dis
ease. II certainly would be in the in
tereSt of human health and life, if
the state could be charged with this
responsibility, which should apply
also to the construction and opera
ton of public buildings. All public
buildings should be constructed with
a view to the health and comfort of
the occupants and should be inspect
ed as to plumbing, heating. lighting
, and ventilation so that nothing would
| be permitted either in the construc-
ton or operation of the buildings
which has a tendency to breed dis
ease.
At the last regular session a bill
was introduced providing for the es-
tablishment by the state of one or
more sanatoriums in each congress
sional district This bill passed the
senate without discussion, was re-
ported favorably by the house COM
mittee, but was lost in the final
scramble by the adjournment of the
house. 1t is true chapter BAT, per-
hitting any county in the state to
establish a local sanatorium was
passed, but under that law only two
counties, ST. Louis and Otter Tail,
have established sanatoriums. Four
or five other counties have appro-
priated the maximum amount allowed
by this chapter, but this was not suf-
ficient and the project subsequently
abandoned. There is only one solu-
ton, and that is the appropriation of
sufficient state aid to enable every
county in the state, if necessary, to
build sanatorium, SO that every in
fictitious case can be isolated and
every hopeful case afforded proper
treatment. Such an institution would
Immediately become the center from
which would radiate information in
regard to prevention and treatment
of this disease. These institutions
should be under state supervision, SO
that the state aid would be properly
apportiOned and the best methods of
construction and operation in all
cases observed. There would, how
ever, be several counties that would
not be able to take advantage of this
law and, therefore, the state Sanato-
rum should be enlarged SO as to ac-
commodate patients unable to secure
admission to the local hospitals.
If we have the courage of our con-
victions, we should proceed at once
to do our duty. Thousands of hu.
man lives can be rescued from death,
an average of fourteen years added
to the years of the living and untold
millions of dollars, now wasted, turn
ed into channels of useful enterprise.
The benefits will accrue in the fullest
measure to every home in the state;
the satisfaction of duty well done will
be yours and mine
Conclusion.
During my years of service as gov
ernor, it has been my constant en-
deavor to study the needs of the
state, that | might present them to
you intelligently and with personal
knowledge. These recommendation
ere made after most careful and earn
est consideration for the best inter
ests of the entire state. In their con-
sideration ] hope we can avoid either
factional or sectional controversy,
acting only as representatives of the