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Show THE REVIEW. its duty which has not in addition to recognizing it in the organic law es- tablished the proper supervising commissions. But five states, he said, have removed the work from the uncertainties of legislative action. He continued: Twenty-fou- r states, among them several of our oldest and most populous, have as yet intrusted a commission to no board, to see that their wards are suitably cared for and The number establishing pro-tecta- d. commissions is, however, incressing, and the hope is expressed that the thirtieth assemblage of this body will be participated in by delegates of state boards from every state. . . . . . The power of appointment of such state boards should be d on the Governor. Long terms of office are desirable to secure a continuing policy, resulting from experience. Whatever allowance may be made for the exigences of politics, party preferences ought not to control appointments to commissions charged with the protection of the wards of Such appointments are the state. crimes against the people, as under con-ferre- them the best conditions of care and reformation cannot be obtained; and in an enlightened condition of public opinion, they would be visited with general condemnation. Examination of the composition of state boards of charities, twenty-onnow established under different names, shows them to vary in number from four to twelve; the average number of members is six, and the largest, the New York State Board of Charities, has twelve members, in addition to constitutional commissions of prisons with eight members, and of lunacy with three a total of twenty-thre- e state officers charged with the supervision of the dependent and delinquent. The two commissions first named are practically unpaid, and the latter is salaried. With exceptions for special needs, it would seem advis- e SWEEPINB REDUCTION .... - able that these boards should not receive compensation for their services. will at all Systematic inspections times make possible a report to the condiLegislature, upon the general tions and specific financial needs of each state institution. This is one of the most important duties of such boards. In regard to appropriations, the attitude would probably be intermediary between the lawmaking power of the state, desiring to secure a low and the frequently extravagant demands of the managers of the institutions. . A natural expression of the civilization of our times is the foundation of private charitable institutions, societies, or associations. Their variety is restricted only by the number of human needs apparent, and includes many for the relief, even, of suffering animals. The people of the United States are said to devote more of their means for charitable objects than those of any other nation. However bountiful public provision for the dependent may be, the larger number will find relief mainly from private benevolence. The luxury of generous giving is indulged in by wealthy citizens who may be justified in an expenditure which would be improper if made from public taxation. The attitude of the state to these private foundations should be that of encouragement and friendly interest. Public policy requires that state supervision should be maintained over all charitable organizations, whether public or private, but this should be so exercised as to raise the standards oi discpline and care to the institutions, to aid them in every way to obtain the support of public opinion, and to protect them from ignorant or malicious attack. Attention would be directed, by the general distribution of tables prepared for the purpose, to the needs of certain communities, for some particular kind of charitable relief. In the tax-rat- e, 50 PER CENT OFF FROM RECULAR PRICE on our entire stock of Ladies 3 state of New York such tables show that homes for the aged are greatly needed, and for want of sufficient accommodation in these, many respectable persons must seek the shelter of the almshouses; on the other hand, orphan asylums, childrens homes, and dispensaries exist in advance of legitimate demand for them, and are to that extent pauperizing and demoralizing. Two fundamental principles may be emphasized in conclusion: (i) That it is the duty of the state to regards as its wards all citizens belonging to the classes called dependent or delinThis does not imply state quent. maintenance for all, since many will be relieved or reformed through other It doe public or private charity. imply however, that wherever within the borders of the state the dependent and delinquent exist, the protection of the state should follow and cover them. (2) That it is also the duty of the duty of the state to see that the contributions of its citizens for charitable objects are honestly expended for the purposes for which they were made. Provided that the successive precautions herein outlined shall have been taken in establishing such commissions, they may be safely made the custodians of ample powers. To be properly efficient, they should not only have the right to visit, inspect, and supervise, but also hold in reserve veto powers over public institutions, or those in receipt of public money, in order that economy, reasonable uniformity, and other desirable condiThe power to tions may prevail. limit, within proper bounds, Jhe incorporation of new charitable institutions, should also be conferred. On the other hand, managers and officers of charitable institutions should possess, subject to this general authority, considerable latitude and power of their own, which should only be interfered with, when necessary for the public good. READY-MAD- E . Sale Commences Hominy Horning' May IGtli, CLOTH SUITS .... THE LACE HOUSE, 228 S. MAIN ST. |