The Monticellonian., 1917-01-18

OPINION IT is simply question Of time
until county uperintendeucy will be uni-
Versslly adopted ~ the counties Of Arkansas
voluntarily, SC Why postpone giving theol
the benefits which both theory and practice
demonstrate vii flow from 1t.
Control of Charitable Institutions.
"Of all the institutions of the state none
lies nearer the hearts OF the whole people
than the so-eaned charitable Institutions
those for the Of the blind. the deaf
and dumb and the insane. l have purpose
ly omitted the care OF the feeble and needy
Confederate soldiers, because they should
not be treated objects OF charity. Fhsy
entitled to the gratitude and liberal
support OF the rising generation who ad-
mirs the hsroism OF the men who placed
their bodies living wallis between their
honest convictions TO the great dOutrtae
of states rights and those who were eQaal-
ly honestly opposed to them. In another
part of my aessaEs I shall discuss thu SEP
Arats contrsl OF the Confederate Home. All
Of these Institutions should ever be held
high above all partisan and political influ-
ence and sheuld nsveT become spells In tho
hands OF any man set Of men and should
be dealt with and considered solely with
view to the proper care OF those who como
within their walls. Patriotism, pure and
sim pie. and humanity IN its teuderest phases.
Believing strongly in tho merit and eff
cheney OF the honorary beard system, re-
spectfully recommend the general assem-
bly, that the present salarted charity board
be abolished and in Hsu thereof. there be
created honorary board of seven mem
bsrs. two of whom shall always be females,
one from each Congregational district who
shall receive per diem of IS and actual
travelling expenses. these members to be APP
pointed by the governor for term OF six
years. beginning April after their APP
pointment. provided that of the first board
two shaN two years two four years
and three for six years. their sppOiu tments
to be confirmed by the Joint assembly OF
the two houses The board should elect
paid secretary. not member OF the board
at salary not exceeding 81 2ee per annum
who should have no other employment dur
Ing his term OF service superintendent for
terms not exceeding four years. his salary
to be fixed by the board who, with the
board, should have supervision over the
steward 20 the kind. quality and quantity
of tho supplies TO be purchased. and who
Is TO be held to y strict accountability for
the administration Of the institution.
Confederate Veterans.
'I heartily endorse the present mills
Confederate pension tax and wish that Sle
that this could he increased by one
quarter of mill We can provide for
needed accommodations and extensions in
connection with the Confederate Home, and
we can take steps to that the full pro
rata allowed each veteran under the pres
ent Law is {1eo per year instead of $50 as
at the present time. This pro rata is fixed
by tn. sir. of the tax rate, and the mum
Der OF pensioners. ] am informed by prom
inent and thoroughly reliable Confederate
veterans that there many instances of
fraud in connection with pension rolls.
which aeed pssgins5 that this fraud arises
In most cases beosuse there are some among
the lo7f pensioners on our rolls who de-
tsrtsd the Confederate army or who left the
army without sny legitimate or lawful ex
euse and others who perture themselves
as being psupers when, q matter of fact
they in good circumstances, are now
the pension rolls. Three years ago Ala
bsma created u pension commission, which
after an investigation purBed the pension
roll IN FhHF Ff ahfsHHH RFHa- ri nj hN
pensioners. snd l frank 70 say that II
the general assembly creates an honorary
commission. conlpoHed OF Confederate s6l-
diers or their sons TO supervise the iionls,
1 will promptly sign the bill and incur what
ever OF criticism may attach TO the creation
OF new commission.
School for Girls.
There is need for an Industrial school
for girls in Arkansas. such "a school could
be established Oldest scale by building
two cottages on the site OF the present
form school and converting the present
building into class rooms gymnasium and
administration rooms. the girls 10 be graded
according to age and moral conditions The
state charities board. especially II at least
two women were on the board. might very
properly have general control and super
vision, selecting woman superlnt ell dent.
The present reform school for boys is 10
Gated On vary undesirable site where
there iH little opportunity for gardening aid
marketing Industrial work ano another
location should be secured at once, II he
iesI REFORM OF the boys Who are minated t.
10 be effected, for rocky ane idle brains
cert ainIy constitute the devils Worksh y. e.
Penitentiary Conditions.
''Penitenttary conditions in Arkansas are
a disgrace. Any prison system hich Ak
cuses wrongduiug and units wronEdoers
70 discharge the ordinary duties or cttlkCn-
snip stands self condemned sIways pso-
NIded that men and women are capable ~
being bettersd While ia custody Of the
state Waite the appraisers biennial re-
port shows thal tine state penal nAfiSI-
uons are worth $1.J1s COZ and that cT De
raised on tAe 9t# Minis and Tucker tar'4s
this year werr L. se, both in quantity and
value. aud @H{It generous allowance
may be HHdt for the damage cone by floods
In 1871 asd 1876 y hich Was estimated at
approximate 3 90 YET from an eco
nomic standpoint there seems 70 be little
eNcuse for the necessity OF Issuing d de-
uciency proc!a ton CT about $40 900 to
pay tho running expenses Of rich bottom
farms and excuse for tie purchase by
the board OF penlteniiary commissioners
OF tract Of uncieared woodland.
1T has been ch0txed that the treatment
OF our convicts on the state farms Ia ut IN
times inhHmane uusanitary and dsErndruK:
that the food provided mas been uuwho,e-
some that both clothing and bedding N he
convicts Is sometimes filthy and unsanl.afy
and that they are oftentImes require to
wear their stripes for three xa Ks at a time
without change in spite or the fsct that
there Is an abundance of stripes AMI stripe
material at the walIs.. that adeqU ttq hts-
pttal and clinical facilities have not been
provided that filters have not been installed
on at least OF the farms 10 insure
palatahle and pure drinking water; that
on the Gumnlus farm nightsowns SOAP
and sheets are scarce and dirty ticks fat
facl.s' AMI officers plentiful Not only
s-oUld thardHgh investigation ef these
~ r'ees be #aaae ~ legislative commit
see. oet tte COMMISSION Tor the investigation