The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-04-02
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
lis Management Condemned by the
Investigating Committee.
Another Committee Lets the Management
Down Easy.
No Action Taken by the General Assembly.
MINORITY REPORT.

benevolent institutions, and Orpheus Everts,
of the Hospital for the Insane.
After as careful consideration of the subject
as could possibly be given In the limited time
allotted for that purpose, we find the evidence
adduced on behalf of the parties concerned
shows the following state of facts, clearly and
beyond any doubt or question:
We find charge first sustained against Patrick
n. Jameson in this: that he, the said Patrick
H. Jameson, permitted and was directly in
uniawfuliy and without warrant of law, and
in violation of act of March 10, 1875, namely:
that moneys received for the farm products
never turned into the treasury as the law
directs. but expended in such manner The
management of the Insane Asylum saw fit, in
direct CONFIRMATION of all law on the subject,
without giving an 1temIzed statement of how
such moneys were expended. We also find
that this same charge against Orpheus Everts
has been sustained.
CHARGE SECOND.
We further fluid that Patrick II. Jameson
ceived extra salary as treasurer of the provis-
building for the Insane Hospital TO the amount
of 81 40, which, in the opinion of your COM
miftee, was entirely without warrant of law,
taken to cover the same back into the treas
ury. Such an office is unknown TO the law.
eson's salary. as president of ali the boards. at
$500. The appropriation bill of 1871 (acts spe-
cial session, pages 5, y fixed it at $500 for each
any law where it authorizes the provisional
board, or, in fact, any board, to create the Of
flee of treasurer and pay him the sum of 500
extra per year for his services as treasurer OF
said board. The plea is, however, set up that
this $40 was derived from the interest on the
S300,0O0 taken out of the treasury to build the
new Hospital for the Insane, but your COM
rnittee is of the opinion that $500 was sufficient
for the services of said president, and that the
sl.400 derived from such interest should be
covered back into the treasury of the State,
where it properly and legally belongs.
CHARGE THIRD.
We find that the employment of, Miss
Churchman, Miss MacIntire and Mrs. Mary
Everts is not contrary to law, according to the
opinion of the attorney general Your CON-
ing the employment of relations, yet the prac-
tice of employing such is reprehensible, and
would advise its discontinuance in the future.
CHARGE FOURTH.
This charge is in the opinion of your com.
mitttee, substantially the same as charge
second, and our finding herein is the same as
in that charge against the respondent, Patrick
In the employment of useless labor, we
find that Orpheus Eyerts has had one
Miss Harding in his employ as
who has been constantly employed in eXclus-
State deriving no benefit from said services,
although she was paid by the State.
CHARGE SIXTH.
That Dr.. Patrick FL. Jameson received pre-
sents to influence him IN giving the trade of
the institution to certain merchants and
tradesmen. Your committee find that while
there Were several witnesses who swore 10
was so conflicting we are unable to come TO
any definite conclusion in the matter. We
ceived by Dr. ESerts and his family, and we
can not justify such a practice, no matter in
what small amounts the presents may have
CHARGE SEVENTH.
In reference 80 goods bought, we find the
prepolderance of the evidence viii show and
does convince your committee, that Dr. Everts
bought and paid at least retail prices for goods
bought of William I. Ripley and II. FL. Lee
and Geo. III. Heitkam & co and although the
That If more careful system of purchasing
had been followed, better class of goods
could have been obtained at a much less rate,
thereby saving considerable sums of money co
the State. We find that the clothing was
bought by order, and left TO the merchant sell
ing the goods to select the kind and quality
and fix the prices. That such carelessness on
the part of DR.. Everts and neglect in not better
protecting the states interest, should meet
from this Assembly the censure it justly de-
serves.
In relation to Gordon Griffith, the testimony
is of such vague character and OF such a con
Trajectory nature that we have failed to find
either of the officers of the Insane Asylum
guilty OF anything censurab'e in the case.
CHARGE NINTH.
! In this, DIR. Jameson Is charged with apply
! ing to his private use interest on the provi
IL.
did turn a small amount of such interest to hi,
private account in bank, but subsequently
/ changed il to its proper place in the States
funds,
CHARGE TENTH.
| That the reports of 1878 are incorrect; but In
the case of the Blind Asylum, we find that the
culation. We also find that the per capits
| should not be calculated or the Deaf ano
weeks in the year, instead of 50 weeks, as i.
| done in their printed reports.
CHARGE ELEy
| This is in regard to donations to officers te
influence the retention of certain parties, with
! the knowledge of Drs. Jameson and Everts
| your comnitte fluid that donations to a large
amount have from time to time been received
/ by Dr. Everts, and that he has failed entirely
to show any proper legal authority by
books, memoranda, or other proof how sucl
have had no means of knowing whether in
| durable patients were maintained in the hos
| pital and durable ones denied admtttance
Such practices amount o gross neglect of duty
| and malieasance, which can not be too
| strongly condemned by the General Assembly
/ CHARGE TWELFTH.
That the books were so kept as to misleae
bookkeeping has been followed. The books
| at the Asylum have been kept in very looss
to such desree thai il is impossible to ma IL
what manner the institution funds, gatheret
from the various SOU ces, have been expended
much censure can not be attached to the OIL
GERS of an Institution that have so conducted
/ their business.
CHARGE THIRTEENTH.
That Dr. Jameson had goods purchased o
| w. II. Churchman, superintendent of this
Blind Asylum. We find that such goods wer,
purchased to a small amount, but very proper
| ~ stopped by order of DR.. Jameson.
We find in the general charge in relation tx
cruelty aud neglect to the inmates of the In
sane Asylum, that as general charge this ha.
Lot been sustained: but we find that in excep
tional cases the charge has been more thar
sustained, notably in the case of Mrs. Knapp
| who was neglected in her room until Abe
banged herself; also a Mrs. McDowei, who
under the same circumstances, committed 8
| like deed, and in the case of Mrs. Ashland
| who was leit, on cold winter day, locked In
a room without fire or food, and of Mrs. Mary
Harris, who was sick from April to July, and
| who received no Treatment and who died
| from this neglect in ire early part OF August
and in the case of Mrs. Williams, than which
a greater case of professional ignorance oil
criminal neglect, to put 1t In It's mildest form
was never displayed by any professional man
than by DIR. W. w. Hester first assistant physi.
clan in his treatment of this case. We lind this
demeuted woman. inmate of the In.