The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-17
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DID.

their sins of omission. First, there was the
so-called Brown bill for the reorganization Of
the benevolent institutions, and it needs no
further discussion than recital of the re-
cent developments of the squabble at
the Insane Hospital. DR.. John C. Walker
an unrepentant rebel, who occupies a subOr-
dinate position there, has arrogantly de-
manded that he shall either be allowed
equal control with the superintendent or be
given the SUPPLEMENTARY outright, basing
his claim upon the alleged fact that to his
individual efforts was mostly due the pas
sage of the Brown bill and the subsequent
appointment of the trustees under it. As
he says: 81 made those trustees and they
must give me what 1 want" 1t is openly
acknowledged by the Democrats that the
bill was drawn gpsby Dr. Walker, so that
positions might be given him and his fol-
lowers without any regard to their
fitness or deserts The infamous char
acter of that measure is shown by the
very first question that arose under it. The
of experienced assistants is demanded so
that Walker his friends and party bummers
may step in. The Blind Asylum and the
institute for the Deaf and Dumb are likely
10 suffer in similar manner, for the pro-
visions of the bill apply equally to them.
Another ubiquitous measure was the House
of Refuge bill, which had no other purpose
than to legislate out of office trustee SIM
ply because he was Republican-Dr. Will
liam Freeman. Who DIR. Freeman is aud
what he has done are best told by Governor
Porter in his veto message Says his Excel
lency:
CDR. Freeman was private soldier in the
Thirtieth regiment of Indiana Vount eers
in the war of the rebellion. At the battle of
Chickamauga he was shot through the body,
the ball having passed through his lungs
He lay upon the field several days. He was
30 near to death from the wound inflicted
that his recovery is recorded in The Medical
and Surgical History of the War published
by the Surgeon-general of the United States,
as one OF the remarkable recoveries of gun
shot wounds. He was a member OF the Leg
stature from Switzerland county in 1877,
and served with much credit on the House
committee on reformatory institutions On
account of his patriotic service spotless
character and peculiar fitness, l nominated
him to the Senate, during the session of
1881, as a trustee of the House of Refuge.
The nomination was confirmed without
dissenting voice. | personally know that he
has discharged his duties as trustee of that in
stitution with the utmost diligence and
fidelity. Why should this patriotic and
faithful officer be singled cut to be deprived
nfflCa before nj nj VIII oh
he was appointed has expired? l refuse to
make myself a party to this proceeding,
which would do by giving my approval of
tie bill now returned"
In spite of this manly protest Dr. Freeman
was turned out of Office and his place given
10 Democrat, There was positively no
other shadow of a reason for this measure
than simply to make place for a party
worker, a well-known retainer and servant
of Mr.. Mcdonald.
Another iniquitous measure was the bill
aboishing the Soldiers Orphans Home at
Knightstown, an institution that had been
y credit and an honor to the State. 1t was
founded many years ago - the property
bought by private enterprise as a home for
disabled soldiers, and was turned over to
the State as a trust ,Afterward soldiers
widows and orphans were admitted, and for
long time the institution has been prnci-
pally occupied by them. Now, however,
there is absolutely no provision for them,
and they have been summarily turned out of
what had to them been home, without any
place to go or means OF living. The great
State OF Indiana could do nothing less than
support the loved but poor orphans of the
brave men who went from her borders in
defense of the government. Even this was
but slight recognition of their martyrdom.
But it remained for Democratic
Legislature, having only personal and
party purposes in view, to convert this noble
institution into an Asylum for Idiotic Chill
dren. Not that the latter should not be
cared for, for they should be, and the provi-
sion already made was ample. Another dis
of the salaries of the trustees of the Feeble
minded Institute, which was not done be-
cause their compensation. was inadequate,
but solely TO make a sinecure for at least one
,uperannuated relative of prominent Dem
,cratic senator and his associates.
One OF the most unjustifiable acts of
the Legislature was the removal of Cap
tain j. +. Conner, chief 0; the State Bu-
reau of Statistics, and the appointment
of w. A. Peelle, an inexperienced and
unqualified Democrat, in his place. The bu-
reau had been in existence but two years.
Its establishment was attended by many dis
couraging circumstances. The Legislature
had provided for it, but had made no appro-
priation, ard Captain Conner voluntarily adj