Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/792

 THE BOARD OF CONTROL IN MINNESOTA.

AT the National Conference of Charities and Corrections in Topeka, last year, a historical sketch of the work and growth of the Board of Corrections and Charities for Minnesota since 1883 was presented, and contained the following statement :

At this rate the Board of Corrections and Charities will soon be. so imbedded in the legislation of the state, and will be so vital an organ in its work, that one would about as soon propose to dissolve the state govern- ment as to dispense with the board.

Nevertheless such is the swift-moving iconoclasm of American political life that in less than one year thereafter not only is that board abolished, but also the entire list of governing boards for all charitable and penal institutions in the state, and their functions are assumed by a newly created Board of Control. In no other country in the world could such a revolution have been so quickly and so easily effected. Such is the mobility of American insti- tutions.

The Board of Control consists of three members, appointed by the governor to serve for six years, one vacancy occurring every two years. The salary is $3,500 a year, traveling expenses are paid, and the board is authorized to employ such clerical assistance as may be needed. Heads of institutions are appointed by the board, and all subordinates arc appointed by the superin- tendents. The financial control of the educational institutions is given to the board also, though it has nothing to do with the instruction or the appointment of their officers. All the powers and duties heretofore belonging to the boards of trustees, as well as to the Board of Corrections and Charities, now belong to the Board of Control.

Such a radical change of policy would be occasioned, so the student of public affairs might suppose, by some acute condition of distrust in prevailing methods and agencies. But such a supposition would be wholly unfounded. There had been very little public discussion of the subject, and there was absolutely

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