i6 Anderson JVilliain Clark 



been copied and adopted in many other states. The functions 

 of these boards are learned from the following statements which 

 are common to all of them : 



"They shall investigate the whole system of public charities 

 and correctional institutions of the state, examine into the con- 

 dition and management thereof, especially of prisons, jails, in- 

 firmaries, public hospitals, and asylums; and the officers in 

 charge of all such institutions shall furnish to the board, on their 

 request, such information and statistics as they may require. 

 And, to secure accuracy, uniformity, and completeness in such 

 statistics, the board may prescribe such forms of report and 

 registration as they may deem essential; and all plans for new 

 jails and infirmaries shall, before the adoption of the same by 

 the county authorities, be submitted to said board for suggestion 

 and criticism. The board in its discretion may at any time make 

 an investigation by the whole board, or by a committee of its 

 members, of the management of any penal, reformatory, or 

 charitable institution of the state ; and said board or committee, 

 in making any such investigation, shall have power to send for 

 persons or papers, and to administer oaths and affirmations. And 

 the report of such investigation, with the testimony, shall be 

 made to the governor, and shall be submitted by him with his 

 suggestion to the legislature."' 



ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF ADVISORY BOARDS 



The principal arguments urged in these four states in favor 

 of an advisory state board of charities are : 



First — It is a clearing house of public opinion and of public 

 discussion. It therefore does "more to enlighten public senti- 

 ment than is possible for a state board of control. Since progress 

 in charities and correction can only be made as public opinion is 

 enlightened, the matter of publicity becomes a question of great 

 importance. 



Second — The people are kept in close sympathetic touch with 

 the state institutions. These institutions belong to the people 



^Acts of Indiana, February 28, 1899, sec. 2. 



372 



