Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-29

AN ACT 10 organize institution for the insane 81 the
and navy, and Of the District of Columbia, in the
said District.

AN ACT to organize institution for the insane
and and Of the District of Columbia, in the
BE IL enacted By the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of the United States Of america az Congress
bied, That the title ofthe institution shall be the
ment Hospital for The Insane and its objects shall be the
most humane care and enlightened curative treatment
Of the INSANE of the army and navy ofthe United States
and of the District Of Columbia.
SEC ,. And be IL further enacted That nine citizens OF
the District Of Columbia 10 be appointed by the Pres
dent of the United States, shalt constitute Board of
Visitors of the said hospital The term of Office OF three
OF the nine visitors shall expire the hreth day of June
eighteen hundred and flyseVen, and bienniay there
after on the same day of the year. when they shall be
appointed, or three other citizens appointed in their
stead. The order i'm which the Of Office of the
nine appontees shall expire shall be determined 10y LOT
and should vacancy by death, resignation
otherwise such vacancy shall be filed by appointment
for the uneNpred term of such visitor. The Board
Visitors subject TO the approval ofthe Secretary of the
Interior, may make any needful bylaws for the govern
ment Of themselves and Of the Superintendent his
employees and of the patients, not inconsistent with
act, nor with the Constitution and laws Of the United
States they shall visit the hospital at stated periods and
exercise careful a supervision its expenditures
and general operations that fine government and com
munty may have confidence in the correctness of its
management; they shall make annually To the Seere-
tary of the Interior report for the preceding year end
Ing June thrieh setting forth the condition and wants
of the institution The Board shall elect their num-
Der president, who shall preside at their meetings for
one year. or iii successor elected. The office of is
itor shall be honorary and without compensation.
SEC. g. find be a. further enacted, That the chief
executive officer Of the Institution shall be supernen.
dent, To be appointed by the Secretary Of the Interior
and to receive salary of two thousand five hundred dol
lars per annum. The superintendent shall BE- well ed
ucated physician, possessing competent experience in
the and treatment ofthe insane; he shall reside ON
the premises and devote his whole time the welfare
of the institution he SHALL subject the approval of
the visitors, and discharge all needful and usual
employees in The Gf the insane, and all laborers ON
the farm, and determine their wages and duties he
shall be the responsible dsburng agent the nstu-
ton, and shall be eNoco secretary OF the Board of Wis
itOrs and he shall give bond fort faithful performance
of his duties, in such sum, and with such securities as
may be required by the Secretary ofthe Interior.
SIC. 4. find be further enacted, That the order of
the Secretary Of War, aud that of the Secretary of The
Navy, shall authorize the superintendent to receive in
sane persons belonging 90 Me army and navy rcspec-
lively, and keep them In custody till they cured or
removed by the authority which ordered their re-
ception.
SEC. ). 4nd belt further eHaeted That all INDECENT
insane persons residing In the District of Columbia at
the time they become insane, shall be entitled 10 the ben
ehs of the Institution and shall be admitted ON the a-
ourity OF the Secretary Of the Interior, which he NAV
grant amer due process Of law showing the person 10 m
insane and unable 10 support himself Tor herself and
visitation Of insanity.
/ sEc. o. Rad be il further enaefed That whenever
there are vacancies, private patients from the District
may be received AT rate Of board To b. determined by
the visitors but be in no less than the actual cost
Oftheir support.
SIC. T. had be further enacted That al apnronri
ations Of money by Congress for the support of The st-
tuition shall be drawn from the treasury on the reuui.-
ton Of the Secretary of the Interior and shall h. dis
bnrsed aud accounted for In all respects according Ia
ne Jaws regulating ordinary disbursements of public
money,
See. and be further enacted. THAI ,his ac, shall
take effect and the day july one thou
sand eight hundred and MY five.
Approved March 2, 1855.