The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-07-20

poses, has undergone no material change
since 1865, except that the jury impanei-
ed in such cases, has been, very wisely, re-
dCced in rumber, from Il to 6. of whom
one must be "a Physician in good standing
and regular practice
By the same inquiry it is ascertained
whether the person found to be insane has
a sufficient estate for his maintenance, or
must be maintained at the expense of the
Public. Ii the latter, the Probate Judge
certities the fact TO the County
Clerk. II the insane person is supposed to
be fit subject for the insane asylum, the
Probate Judge Immediately tes appiica-
tion to the superintendent for his admission
there.
The asylum has capacity for the accom-
mediation of about seyen,v-fye inmates.
although one hundred and five are at the
present time crowded into it, From the
latest reports l have at hand, those for 1874,
it appears that there we're four hundred
and fifteen insane persons in the State.
Thus it will be seen that but little more
than one iE every FIVE of the Insane can be
be received into the asylum OF the one
hundred and five inmates at the present
time, sixteen are from Leavenworth county,
nearly one-siXth of the whole number. So
far as | have been able to ascert lin the
number of insane in this county. | find
there are about sixteen or seventeen who
are not in the asylum, that is, about one
half OF the insane OF the county are in the
asylum, while the remaining half are kept
either in our Jail or poor asylum.
The cost of maintaining the insane
was, previously to 1874, paid by the several
counti-s, whether they were kept in the
asylum or elsewhere. The expenses
of maintenance of those KEEP! in the asy-
ium, subsequently TO that date, have been
aid by the State the counties paying for
the support OF such only who were not re-
ceived into the asylum. A belief became
current that the burthen OF supporting the
insane was borne by the counties unequal
ly. TO correct this, our Senator, the Hon.
j. p. Bauserman, introduced into the SEN
ate, last winter, bill providing for the
assumption by the State of the entire cost
of supporting the destitute insane. This
bill somewhat modified, became law,
(Chapter So Of the Statutes of lS.G) which
now regulates this whole subject. Under
this act, it is presumed that the State
will reimburse the several counties for the
expenditures they actually incur for the
support OF the insane, who could not be re-
ceived into the asylum. On learning from
a published opinion OF Attorney General
Randolph that this reimbursement would
tprobably be limited TO those cases wherein
apple rion for admission to the asylum
should be made, subsequently TO the taking
effect of the law, the Hon 5. ID. Lecompte,
Probate Judge of Ieavenworth county,
has, with commendable promp,itude, made
renewed application to the Asylum, in be-
half of all the destitute insane who are
now charge upon this County, thus Sc
curing, in every event, sll possible advantag
es derivable from the law. 1t will be seen,
that the County must, first, incnr the ex-
pense of supporting the insane, and look to
the State for return Of the money.
Accounts for such expenses are returned
and audited by the proper officers in the same
manner "a other accounts. The cost OF
keeping the insane at the Poor House has
been included as part of the expendit-
ures incurred for that institution. Here
after these accounts will be kept separately.
Twelve or thirteen of the insane are usu-
ally kept in the County Jail. l have ex-
amined, with minute care, the correctness
their maintenance.
for the month beginning April l4:h, and
audited) the Sheriff reported the following
list of the inmates:
John Brassfield, ". III. Carter,
w. Walker, Maria Shuer,
:. Miller, James Girligan,
Fred. Quinn, Lindy We>ley,
Lizzie Moore, Thomas Banks,
Elizabeth Williams. Sallie Scott
Total, II.
,
lishes the fact that that all these persons
with a single exception-have been before
the Court and, in legal form, ascertained 10
be insane and destitute. The case excepted,
is that of Fred Quinn, who, some years ago,
was removed from the Poor Asylum TO the
Jail. He is well known to be insane, al
though never formally so declared. sug-
gtsted to the Sheriff, the propriety Of having
his mental condition established, in the
manner prescribed by law, and presume it
has been done. In company with DIR. 5 w.
Jones, the regularly appointed physician
for the Jail, l visited that Institution to as
certain the actual number of insane. per-
sons kept there. found them precisely
as represented in the Sherif's account,
with the exception of Thomas Banks, who,
as was informed, had recovered his reason
and had been informally discharged.
examined the rooms, the cells the victuals,
the beds, ETC., of the inmates, and brought
away the impression that they are in every
particular as we'll cared for, as the place
not especially adapted TO such purpose,
will allow. Their apartments and sur
roundings were in state of order and
cleanliness that | had not expected to find
in all Their food appeared to be OF
good quality, suitably prepared and in suf
ficienr quantity. The inmates appeared to
possess and TO enjoy degree of physical
comfort greatly in excess of what is usually
associated with the idea of ''life in a county
Jail" l could not fail being struck by the
sight OF child-like confidence and trust in
their physician, which those unfortunate
beings manifest toward DIR. Jones. There
could be no doubt that each OF them re-
garded him as very warm personal
friend.
In my opinion. Seeriff Bond is entitled to
commendation ior the manner in which he
keeps and supports the insane committed 10
his care.
In conclusion, have only to suggest the
expediency OF carefully separating the
"Lunatick" from the "Idiotick.' The lat
ter are excluded BY law from admission to
the insane asylum and such OF them as
are destitute must continue TO be support
ed, in the future, as they have been in the
past, at the expense of the county. In the
Jail they will each cost the county fifty
cents per day. In the poor house, ii se-
commodations can be provided for them
there, they will Cost between twenty and
twenty-five cents per day.
have the honor to be very respectfully,
your obedient, humble servant,
c. III. GROVER.
Il County Auditor.
June Sth, 1876.
The following reports of NJ J. Curran,
Superintendent OF the Poor House, were pre-
sented and referred to the committee on
poor:
No. in the poor house May 81, 1876, SO.
No. in poor house June 80, 1876, 81
Petition OF NJ. Ryan and others for
bridge on the Hughes road was presented,
and referred to the committee on roads and
bridges.
!, Statement of Insley, Shire & Co. OF inter
est for the months of April, May and June,
amounting to S262.3S, was presented, and
ordered charged to the Treasurer.
Il The official bond of John Allan, appoint
ed Justice Of the Peace of Stranger town
ship, was presented and On motion sp-
proved.
The tax warrant against Hensley, Skel-
ton 4 Co., for taxes of 1875. was ordered re-
called from the sheriff, and the Treasurer to
be credited with the same, it having been
shown to the Board that it was double
assessment
On motion the sheriff was authorized TO