The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-11-20
CORRUPTION IN OUR STATE INsTI-
TUrIONS.

We do not propose to be driven from our
position regarding the benevolent institu-
tons of the state by any foggy misrepresen
tations of the Journal. That paper says in
relation to our array of unanswersble facts
and figures: 1.-The demand is that the be-
'nevolent institutions be organized In the
interest OF the democratic party" The de-
mand is nothing of the kind. The demand
is that other and better men can be found
among the democratic party than those who
now fill the positions referred to.
The demand is for economy in the public
expenditures, and we proved by unanswera-
BILE figures that fifteen years ago under other
administrations of the insane asylum, and at
a time when everything was worth double
what 1t is to day, each patient cost the
state but 81. So per week, and that under DIR.
Evarts, the present incumbent, 1T cost for
the succeeding years as follows: For 1865
1927; for 1866, $3.50; for 1867, S4.65; for 1868,
So "a; for 1869, $4S5; for 1870 S.. 90; for 1871,
So O3; for 1872, IS 81; for 1878, 5000; for 1874,
St. for 1875, So 80; for 1876, S459; for 1877,
$466 Figures will not lie" We invite
our contemporary the Journal to careful and
honest consideration of these figures. The
proposition is, Why should it cost the state
OF Indiana four, five and six dollars per week
to support an insane patient when it has
been done under more unfavorable condi-
tions and at a time when groceries, fuel,
every thing, were much higher, at less than
three dollars? Face the music, gentlemen
and do not befog matters by saying that
democratic steward ranks DR.. Evarts in po-
sition where he ought to be supreme.
Politics ought to be left out of the state
institutions says the Journal, and go say
We. The democratic party did keep them out.
Several democratic legislatures gathered and
adjourned, and allowed the appointees OF
previous opposition legislatures to hold
their positions end what was the result?
How was this kindness and con.
servatism repaid? As sG2p as the re-
publlcans received a majority Dr.,
Athon was forced from the Insane Asylum.
He was confessedly one of tie best men for
the position-so understood throughout the
state. This was not all. DR.. McWorkman
was forced from the Blind Asylum, and all
because of his politics. This has been the
policy of the radical party not only in
Indiana but throughout the country. In rela
ton to the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum
Governor Hendricks said in his message:
The children are at the institute but forty
weeks each year. During the twelve weeks of
vacation in the summer they are at home, The
state is at no charge for clothing or transporta-
ton. For these expenses provision is made by
the parents or the counties. By reference to
the report of the superintendent of the insti-
tute for the blind you will see that the cost of
the care and education of blind children, for
the forty weeks of attendance, is about 81 80
per week-aboui 50 per person more than the
expenses Of the insane, and three times great
er than the care, education and clothing of the
soldiers children at the soldiers orphans
nome. 1t is proper to suggest that the number
4ided oS 5 nther instttes ben 81 bt sn
erage OF lO3, and that the expense, per capita,
must necessarily be somewhat greater. Mr..
MacIntire, the superintendent of the institu-
ton for the education of deaf mutes, estimates
that your appropriation should be S2l5 for each
pupil-that is, at the rate of s5.S7 per week for
the forty weeks of attendance. That is largely
above the estimate for the insane hospital and
more than two and half times greater than
the PEI capita expenses at the soldiers or
phans' home.
Let the Journal take whirl at that bit of
information. As to the charge Of politics"
in the management of such matters by the
democratic party, one word more we quote
from Governor Hendricks:
had thought of recommending that the in
situations in the immediate neighborhood of
this city should be placed in charge of the
state officers, but IL has been suggested that
such a control might introduce party politics
into their management, which would regard
as an lntolerable vice.
And now hear Governor Willard on the
proposition to remove Mr.. Mcintyre from
the control of the deaf and dumb asylum
on account OF bis politics:
No! These institutions were created for the
unfortunate children OF Indiana, aud we must
never allow politics to enter into the examin-
alton of the qualifications of any of the off,
GERS selected Tor their management.
And his sentiments prevailed.