State Control of Charities and Corrections 19 



state to assume absolute control and supervision under state 

 boards of control. 



Second — Another reason for the success of these advisory 

 boards has been the personal influence of the great men of these 

 states, who, as secretaries and members, have devoted years of 

 time to the service. Some of these men have been recognized as 

 the ablest statesmen of their respective states. The success of 

 any system depends very much upon the men in charge. 



CHANGE OF SENTIMENT IN THESE STATES 



There is now a growing popular demand for boards of control. 

 In response to this demand Representative McDonald of Dayton, 

 Ohio, introduced into the house of representatives of that state, 

 in February, 1904, a bill to abolish all local boards and all finan- 

 cial officers of the state institutions, and to substitute a state 

 board of control. The bill was defeated by a small majority, but 

 the friends of the measure believe that such a bill will be passed 

 by the next legislature. 



The agitation in Illinois has been so strong in favor of a board 

 of control that the legislature of 1903 was expected to pass the 

 bill which was introduced to create such a board. The secretary 

 of the Advisory State Board of Charities urged its passage. 

 Other officials connected with the advisory board worked for it, 

 but it failed to pass. The friends of this movement believe that 

 a state board of control will be created by the next session of 

 the Illinois legislature. 



IV 



STATE BOARD OF CONTROL OF WISCONSIN 



Preceding the year 1871 all the state charitable and penal in- 

 stitutions of Winconsin were under separate boards of trustees 

 with no supervisory authority over them. 



In 1 87 1, the Wisconsin State Board of Charities was created, 

 with the usual powers and duties given to such an advisory board. 

 This board investigated charitable and correctional institutions, 

 made visits to all state and county charitable and penal institu- 



375 



