We cannot look upon the state as the source of our rights, nor the end of our aims and views, and we must not permit the laws on matters of charity to override personal rights, as do the laws on education. In the State of New York to-day no parent has the right to educate his child as he pleases. If the law were enforced, he must educate it according to the plans and projects of the State Board of Education; and the Board of Regents has almost despotic powers for the regulation of the higher institutions of education.

The State Board of Charities has a large and legitimate sphere, but it must not be extended beyond proper limits.

THE WORK IN IOWA.

ADDRESS BY HON. JOHN COWNIE,

CHAIRMAN, IOWA BOARD OF CONTROL OF STATE INSTITUTIONS.

I have listened with a great deal of interest to the report of Mr. Brackett and his criticism in regard to boards of control of state institutions. I do not think Mr. Brackett is fully advised in regard to the work being done in Iowa. Prior to 1898 each state institution had its own governing board; and, while there had been no scandals in connection with their management, there was a desire to consolidate the work, take the management entirely out of politics, and place it on a business basis. To this end an act was passed by the legislature creating a Board of Control of State Institutions to consist of three men, not more than two of whom should belong to the same political party. Consequently, it is non-partisan.

Naturally there was a good deal of opposition to a board of control composed of only three men; and it was said that such a board would control the politics of the state, and that the state institutions would suffer by the change. But these forebodings have not been fulfilled, and the Board of Control is stronger to-day in Iowa than it was the first year of its existence.

When each institution had a separate governing board, the members met once a month or once a quarter to look after the affairs of

the institutions, taking their own business with them, and of course hurried home as soon as possible, the real management devolving upon the executive officers of the several institutions. Now there are three men in session every working day of the year from eight o'clock in the morning till five o'clock and later every night, devoting their entire time to looking after the interests of those intrusted to their care.

The office of the board is connected with all the state institutions by long-distance telephones, and thus keeps in close touch with the management, ready at all times to counsel and advise on any matter that may arise.

A system of book-keeping has been devised that insures a check. on every expenditure, and the books in the office of the board show at all times the amount of stores on hand at the respective institutions. As a further check, a copy of the dietary of every meal is forwarded to the board each week, with the cost, all sworn to by the persons in charge of the respective kitchens.

Practically, all purchases are made through the office of the board; and, by combining the requirements of all the institutions and purchasing at wholesale, a great saving has been effected. The board made a saving the first year of its existence of more than $175,000, and the care, food, and clothing of the wards of the state were better than ever before. On one of my visits to a penitentiary I asked one of the prisoners, "How are you faring now?" and he promptly replied: "First-rate. You are running a mighty good hotel now it is the best I have yet struck, and I have been in five of them." This man had evidently been in Mr. Brackett's state, and he admitted that the Iowa hotel for convicts is superior to those of Maryland.

It has been said that it is impossible to get three men properly qualified to manage and control hospitals, educational institutions, and penitentiaries, the requirements being entirely different. We have found no difficulty whatever on account of the changed conditions of the several institutions. In visiting the hospitals, conversing with the patients, and keeping our eyes and ears open, it does not take long to ascertain whether or not the patients are being properly treated. When we visit the Soldiers' Home and converse with the old veterans, if there is anything wrong, we soon know it. It does not require long to determine whether the superintendent is harsh

or kind to the girls and boys at the industrial schools and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. The members of the board take a lively interest in the progress of the blind and the deaf in securing an education, and new progressive methods of teaching are continually being introduced and new industries installed.

ees.

It is no difficult matter to tell whether the wards of the state are properly clad and receiving an abundance of good food carefully prepared, with the best of care at the hands of officers and employAt the Iowa Soldiers' Home radical changes have been made by the board since taking charge of that institution. Formerly all the cooking was done by the old soldiers themselves, and the waiters at the tables and even the nurses were old soldiers. Now all is changed, and we have women cooks and women nurses and over a score of the finest-looking girls in the state waiting on the tables. Linen tablecloths have taken the place of the bare tables; silverplated knives, forks, and spoons have taken the place of the cheap iron and pewter articles formerly used; and vitrified china, such as is found at the best hotels, is in daily use.

The old soldiers appreciate what is being done for them in making the institution a true home, with the influence of good women around them; and we scarcely ever hear a complaint on our visits to that institution, either in regard to food, clothing, or care.

In addition to the institutions originally placed under the Board of Control, the legislature two years ago gave the board supervision over the private hospitals of the state where insane people are confined, also over all of the poorhouses where insane patients are kept. The private hospitals for insane are all owned and managed by the Catholic Sisters, and they had grave fears as to the result of a visitation and examination by the members of the Board of Control. But a single visit proved that their fears were groundless, and these institutions profit by the suggestions and interest of the board in their welfare; and now they have more patients than ever.

When we visited our county poor farms where the insane are kept, we found some terrible conditions. As a rule, the steward is chosen by the board of supervisors for the reason that he is a good farmer and careful financier. If he can make a good showing at the end of the year in regard to expenditure, he is considered a success, the care and treatment accorded the patients being of secondary importance. Under the new law the board is required to visit all

county houses where insane patients are kept; and, if it is found that they are not properly cared for, they can be transferred to a state hospital. At one county house I found a poor dement who was tied to a tree in summer and to a bed-post in winter, because there was no one to care for him. That patient is now in a state hospital, clothed as a man, and has his freedom like other patients. Another patient was found confined in a cage, and had been kept there for years, because, when given his freedom, he persisted in running away; but this condition no longer exists.

I merely mention these facts to show what the Board of Control is doing in Iowa, and I may be pardoned for taking a just pride in the success that has attended our efforts to better the condition of those intrusted to our care with the least possible expense to the tax-payers of our state.

Mr. Brackett stated that in Maryland the legislature refused to make an appropriation for a much-needed cottage for feeble-minded children. In Iowa the Board of Control experiences no difficulty in regard to securing needed appropriations. In visiting the several state institutions, the board becomes familiar with the conditions existing, and reports to the legislature through the governor such recommendations in regard to needed improvements as are necessary, with an approximate estimate of the cost. The members of the board never lobby, never solicit the support of a single member of the legislature for an appropriation, but remain in their office, attending to their duties, appearing before the respective committees on appropriations only when invited. The members of the legislature go to the office of the board to counsel and advise in regard to the wants of the institutions, with the result that practically every dollar asked for the respective institutions has been granted. In Maryland, with no Board of Control, after no doubt the most persistent lobbying, the legislature refused to make an appropriation for a single cottage for the feeble-minded children; while in Iowa the Board of Control asked for an appropriation for two cottages for a like institution, and the appropriation was made without a dissenting vote. Near the close of the last session of the legislature a building at one of the state institutions was destroyed by fire, and it became necessary to ask for an additional appropriation of $15,000. I went before the respective committees on appropriations, stated the circumstances and the need of a new building, and the appropriation was promptly made.

But this very confidence reposed in the Board of Control by the legislature gives added responsibility to the members; and the greatest care is taken to retain the confidence of the law-makers by holding all desired appropriations to the minimum, and, when appropriations are made, to see that value received is secured for every dollar expended.

These are some of the advantages in having a Board of Control of state institutions,- no lobbying for appropriations, no politics in state institutions, faithful and efficient service required from officers and employees, and all working together for the best interests of the wards of the state, at the least possible expense to the taxpayers.

THE EXPERIENCE IN INDIANA.

BY AMOS W. BUTLER,

SECRETARY, BOARD OF STATE CHARITIES OF INDIANA.

What Mr. Cownie has said concerning Iowa gives you some idea of the changes that have been wrought in that state. They have been from unsupervised charities to supervised charities. Iowa had fourteen state institutions under fourteen boards without any supervision. Since they have been put under one administrative board, called a Board of Control, certain results have been accomplished. We had exactly the same experience in Indiana. Fourteen years ago Indiana's state institutions were all under separate boards, unsupervised. To-day they are still under separate boards, but are overseen by a supervisory board. Iowa has accomplished substantially the same financial results we have. I could tell you of the reduction in expenses in the management of these institutions. At the same rate of expense of thirteen years ago, we should to-day be expending about $340,000 more than we are in conducting our state institutions. That is one of the results of supervision. The institutions are also more efficiently managed, are on a higher plane, are caring for more of the dependants in a better way. Altogether, they are accomplishing better results than they did before. All of our county institutions and state institutions that receive any support