The Coconino sun., 1927-02-18
Political Machine
Is Very Expensive

G. NJ Zander is the director OF
state institutions. As an appoilltee of
the governor, it is his duty to look
after our various state institutions
and see that they are properly adj
ministered. But, as in so many cases
of political appointment by Cover
nor Hunt, mans qualification for
his position and his ability in filling
that position are small matters. 10y
atty to the Hunt machine seems to
De the only requirement needed to
obtain and hold position, while any
ion on the governor automatically
sewers man>from the position, even
though he is well qualified to fill it.
How disasterous this is to the state
and to tine taxpayers becomes more
apparent every day
Its effect on the state institutions
is particularly scandalous. The state
hospital for the insane is a glaring
example of an institution run for
the benefit of political henchmen
and not for the benefit Of the in
mates. The last legislature provided
S63, 900 for the construction Of a new
wing to the hospital, and now with
all the money spent the only thing
to show for it are four barren walls
Yet when the first bids were called
for, several contractors bid under
the figure necessary to build the
wing, but for some reason or other
(political), the bids were rejected
Now the legislature is asked to pro-
vide more money to complete" the
work started. What assurance has
the legislature that any money it
does appropriate will not be squan-
dered?
G. M. Zander is director Of state
institutions.
Take the Fort Grant school for
delinquent boys and girls. 1t, too,
is simply another arm of the Hunt
machine. Conditions there are ideal
for creating new criminals. II the
Governor has so much love in his
heart for his fellow men, let him
make a visit to that school and then
show little love for the boys and
girls of his. fellow men, who are
quartered there like cattle in a ship
ping pen. If the governor was at
all sincere in his professed love for
the under dog, he would have long
ago done something to improve con-
ditions in this school, where boys
and girls, without the ability to
bring their condition to the public,
are quartered under revolting condi-
tions. The Fort Grant school is a state
institution under the direction of
lander.
Then there is the penitentiary at
Florence. The poet long ago sang,
walls do not prison make and
this is doubly true of our state pen
itentiary. The cOnvScts there COM
plain that when they go out to see
their girls at night, they often find
the doors locked when they return.
Other convicts have the privilege OF
leaving when they please for trips
to Phoenix, on wherever they want
to go, while hardly a week goes by
that at least one convict makes his
escape But the warden of the perll-
tentiary is political appointee Of
the governor. He is intensely loyal
to the governor. What does it mat
ter then how the penitentia1y is run
as long as loyal Hunt appoilltee is
in charge. The state penitentiary
comes under the direction of Zander.
Zander holds office at the COVER
.nor's pleasure, as do all of the heads
Of these various institutions. AS long
as they are loyal to Hunt, what mat
.ters it if their institutions are woeful-
~ managed? Loyalty, not compet-
ence is the sole requirement of Ari-
zona's ruler. Zander continues as di-
rector of state institutions. Tucson
Star.