CHARITY— THEORY AND PRACTICE ii 



of the public shall also be legally recognized; and boards of 

 control should be the first to insist on this princ-iple. 



There are, of course, various methods of organizing for free 

 and independent inspection of public administration. Thus in 

 the English prison system a board of visitors has considerable 

 influence. On the continent of Europe the societies of patron- 

 age, for aiding prisoners and their families, have long exer- 

 cised a wholesome influence on penal establishments and legis- 

 lation, and more than once have broken through the crust of 

 custom which often prevents the growth of ideas in officialdom. 

 In German public charity the voluntary honor office is a 

 large factor, and the bureaucracy, if they have any distrust 

 or envy, seem to be successful in hiding their feehngs. In our 

 own country the boards of county visitors in certain states 

 have already accomplished much good, have exposed abuses, 

 have wakened sleepy officers, and have collected facts of im- 

 mense importance to legislatures. The New York Charities 

 Aid association is a typical example of an independent society, 

 legally recognized, and exercising vast influence. Various 

 prison societies belong to the same type. 



The dangers which may be expected, especially in America, 

 from boards of control without legal and capable agencies of 

 supervision, are such as the following : A board which inspects, 

 audits and passes on its own deeds, without check, soon comes 

 to feel that it is infallible and omniscient ; or, if it escape this 

 foible, it is more than human. One who is never contradicted 

 may be excused if he rapidly acquires profound confidence 

 in his own judgment. They soon feel the warm glow of satis- 

 faction in the use of unobstructed power. It is a rare ab- 

 solutist sovereign who begs for a constitution. Strong men 

 like Bismarck chafed at the delays of parliamentary question- 

 ers. It is asserted already by men near the heart of secrets 

 that there are gentlemen w^ho rather enjoy seeing superin- 

 tendents of asylums and hospitals, party leaders, legislators, 

 office seekers, contractors, and even state university presi- 

 dents cooling their heels in the anteroom of the star chamber 

 of a state board of control. Even if the testimony is question- 

 ed this result is inevitable. 



Secrecy, the cloud which hides all perils and abuses, is 



