The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-07-27


This timber is full grown, much Of it
is depreciating in value, and unless
it is cut and put on the market while
prices are good great loss will result
to the state. It would be profitable
and practicable for the state to en-
ploy its own labor in cutting and
marketing this timber, thus enabling
it to realize the largest possible sum
from this source.
After bringing into the state treas
ury such additional sums as may be
realized from the sources Just indi-
Gated, we should turn our attention
to the other side of the ledger. Here.
| believe, will be. found fertile field
for the activities of any governor or
Legislative committee who really has
at heart the economical administra-
ton of the states affairs, and who
desires to return to the basic prin-
ciples of economy which have always
been the cardinal doctrines Of the
democratic party.
Every department of the state gov
eminent should be thoroughly exam
ined and all possible reductions in ex-
penses be made.
Without attempting to 90 into de-
tail, ! shall content myself with an
enumeration of few reforms and
economies which / believe can and
should be made.
Abolish Unnecessary Offices.
And, first, we should abolish every
unnecessary office. Departments
have increased and offices multiplied
out of all proportion to the growth of
the state in wealth or population. So
numerous have these departments be-
come that even the lawyers of the
state could hardly be expected to
name them, much less define thir
powers and duties.
Related departments should be
combined and consolidated. AS an
illustration of my meaning, the bank
ing department should absorb the au-
ditor's department, and also dis
charge the duty Of auditing the books
of all county officials who tcollec
state revenue, this latter duty being
now performed under the direction
of the state revenue agents. Under
existing statutes, the bank examiner
investigates the books of the state
banks, the state auditor makes an
audit of the books of the state insti-
F0UR-ROBERTS
buttons and state officials, and the
revenue agents at irregular intervals
examine the books of the county Off
Gals. One department should handle
all this business, thus saving much
expense to the state. The same prin-
ciple runs through the whole system
of state. government.
Certain departments of the state
we're intended by the legislature to
be self-supporting. The state min
ing department may be mentioned as
belonging to this class. Fees are
charged for services rendered in max
ing inspection of mines, which were
believed to be adequate to cover all
necessary expenses of this depart
ment. For the biennial period of
1915-1916 this department paid into
the state treasury $8.67700, and ex-
pended $25, 259.00, the net cost to
he taxpayers amounting to $16,582.
This and other like departments
should be made self-sustaining by
proper amendments to the Acts Great
ing them.
Tennessee Industrial School
During the year 1917 the inmates
IF the Tennessee Industrial School
were maintained at an average cost
IF S168.22 each. For the biennial
period of 1915-1916 there were 841
inmates of this school. of whom $40
were over Is years of age, and 268
over II. No good reason can be
offered for maintaining these youths
ut the expense of the state after they
have reached an age when they may
support themselves. 1t is not an act
If philanthropy on the part of the
state to maintain such young people
who are fully able to provide for
themselves, in comparative ease and
idleness. while thousands of other
boys and girls of like age in Tonnes
see are not only self-supporting, but
in many instances are educating them
selves and aiding in the support Of
others. More than one-half the ex-
nense Of this school should be saved
by finding good homes for as many
of these inmates as possible, and by
throwing the older ones on their own
resources. In many other states the
state is only a clearing house for
such children, who are provided for
only until good homes can be found
for them. In such states proper pre-
caution is taken for the prevention
of any injustice to them by means
Of follow-up system. Nearly 800
Of these students are now domiciled
on farm of 90 acres. where the
facilities for their profitable employ
ment are so inadequate that the cost
of their maintenance is great, and
their opportunities to fit themselves
for the duties of good citizenship by
learning some useful trade are very
limited. There is another and far
deeper reason for placing these
Young people in good homes than the
mere saving to the state of the cost
IF maintenance. The home is the
only institution in which the child's
threefold nature is fully developed,
and from which he can go forth into
busy world equipped for the duties
of life. Justice to the child demands
change, and the financial interest
Of the state requires it. A very large
saving can be effected here.
State Reformatory.
Similarly, the state reformatory
for boys cost the state net the sum
Of $100,74221 for the year 1917.
There are about $50 boys in this in
stitution, most of whom are living
on about $50 acres of land near Nash
vile, and more than sixty percent of
them are over the age Of Is years.
1t is my opinion that the idea sug
gested with reference to the Tonnes