The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-02-05

over any other class of citizens. We claim,
also, that superintendsnts ought to
stand just where their own actions
place them, as well as our
claim that there is no more reason for con
cealing the actions of officials from public
scrutiny than there is for concesling the
actions of other public wants Ii they can
stand on their own actions. let them standi
Ii they cannot, let them fall
1t is self evident that the power which
the laws give the superintendent over the
patient needs some restraint to prevent its
becoming despotic and tyrannicai; for an ir-
responsible person is always liable to be-
come arbitrary and cruel. and no human
being is good enough 10 be safely trusted
with absolute power over another human
being. Therefore, for the interests of the
uperintendents, as well as for the patients,
1t is wise and humane TO have this power
held in check, by the restraints of the law,
for 1t is opportunity that makes villains
Neither does it hurt good superintendent
to be watched. and bad one ought TO be
watched.
Now, gentlemen, we claim that it is espec-
tally due the inmates of insane asyiums
that their postal rights be protected to them
for the following reasons:
A free and Unrestricted communication
between the inmates of insane asylums, and
the outside world will be q restraint upon
the exercise of tyranny, and Will be to the in
mates of insane asylums what q police force
is to city-a means OF preventing crime.
1t will afford them an innocent gratifica-
ton.
1t will cultivate their affection for their
relatives. which under the present censor
ship is most cruelty shaken, If not destroyed.
1t will mitigate their mental torture, by
GLOWING it natural vent or expression
As the present censorship is
regarded by them as an outrage
upon their rights its removal will help
to reinstate IN their minds the principle Of
justice.
1t will give their friends test OF their
mental condition.
They now have no opportunity for self
defense, and this will afford them this rea-
sonable right.
1t might prevent the elimination of evils
developed in Illinois, New York, Vermont
and Ohio. by their investigating committees,
by affOrdiDg each case a chance for settle
ment when the charges we're reported.
III the complaints are delusive it could
hurt no one; if true, they could be corrected
without public exposure.
Now, IN the name OF the unfortunate in
mates of insane asylums, would inquire,
who has right to say that the sacredness OF
secrecy. sanctioned and protected by the
postal laws OF this Government 10 all the
citizens of the United States, shall be denied
to this class, especially when most nesded,
and most priced, as a mitigation OF their
real or fancied wrongs? Is their sickness or
misfortune crime. needing this severe
penalty? And should the misfortune of
insanity outlaw them as with esses; while
the testimony of infants, even, is taken in
courts and considered for what It is worth
Gentlemen. DO not let the bugbear OF
cray letters frigbten you into a vague
suspicion of evil consequences resulting
from this course. As our honored ex-Presi-
pent Grant -sensibly, remarked 10 me.
crazy letters hnrt and tlEIr
right 10 write just such letters as they please
should never have been interfered with
Indeed. he added, 1.-THE intercepting OF
their correspondence ought TO be treated as
crime against the postal laws of the coun.
try" And this common sense
view of ex-Pfesident Grant has
has been confined by the effects of this law,
where enforced. and thus tested Il not
only does no harm, but is well adapted 10
remedy existing evils.
As proof of this, will bring the testimony
of an eminent lawyer who voted for The bill
in the Iowa Assembly. where only one voted
against it, who said: That bill is the best
bill ever passed in the Iowa Legislature, and
is admirably adapted to defect and ferret
out and remedy existing evils OF our insane
asylums, as our practice under the law has
demonstrated. This is but type or speci
men OF the reports from al! the States IN
this country where the law has been passed
as well as from Belgium, Germany and
England, where II has been longer in sue
cessful operation. And If you desire it,
will show you the letters l now hold from
| the governors and other prominent individ
uals of those States where postal rights are
allo we'd, IN confirmation of the above testi
mony.
| have also Congress Endorsement of the
measure, so far as that the committee of both
| Houses gave the bill, which | defended,
! their unanimols arrrr-?val and recommends
/ tioh. which bill requires tie Postmaster gen
! eral to put up post office boxes OH the
asyluns OF those States who passed the bill,
thus cooperating with the States in securing
! postal rights to the inmates of insane asy.
! lums. / can show you this bill, also.
| i have been to II different States with my
bills, and can show you eight of the
iwelve | have had some influence in getting
passed through II different Legislatures. |
can also show you the names of over 700
prominent and influential men of this State
who desire the passage of these bills.
Honorable gentlemen, to the Chris
tan philanthropy which 1 believe
| is the controlling element OF your delibera
tions, as Legislators OF Indiana, do cheerful
| ly intrust the disposal of these..b bills. trust
ing that the Christ within you will compel
each of you to do for this unfortunate class
| as you would wish to be done by were you
in their circuln stances and condition.
And, gentlemen, l trust you will pardon
me for adding that 1 am self moved and
self-appointed defender of the rights of thi:
defenseless class of human beings. l work
under no organization or party. 1 receive
no remuneration for services rendered from
any organization or individual. L work
without money and without price. and beal
my own expenses, which l defray by the
sale of my own books. For II years 1 have
thus labored, and it is my purpose to pursue
| this work until every State has been appealed
to to place the inmates of their insane
asylumns under the protection of their laws
Honorable gentlemen, 1 am confident
| you would not condemn me for this
persistency of effort did you but
know the sad experiences through which the
providence of God has taken me to cap2ci
| tate me for this work; and l have no hesI
fancy in giving you an outline of this sad
| drama If you desire it, as it furnishes in it.
self strong argument in support of these
bills. And ii may be your duty. as legIsla
tors, to know how an American citizen could
be legally imprisoned under our flag of re-