The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-26

appearing to be in I. lucid state. He complained
of the way he was being treated by the attend
ants, and Mr.. Thayer promised. as a Mason to
40 what he could to get him kindler treatment.
He then walked away from the Captain. who
again beckoned to him, and, appearing to get ex-
cited, rose from his seat The attendants told
Captain Buchanan to sit down. He showed
disposition to refuse when one of the attendants
raised stick as if to strike him. He
did not strike, however, but assisted by
the other attendant they bounced him
up and down upon his seat. Tney
then told him to sit up that if he didn't they
would straigh:en him out Mr. Thayer called
DR.. Thomass attention to the matter The next
day he saw Captain Buchanan again, and he
walked as if he could hardly drag himself along.
few days after that the Captain was sent home
His face was black and blue, as If he had been
beaten right over the eye. Mr.. Thayer says 1t
was the custom to strike and slap patients on the
slightest infraction of the rules or orders, and
not the exception: that there is an undercurrent
of feeling or expression among the attendants
that if patient becomes disorderly he will be
sent to ward where they will 'straighten him
OUT They are sent to back wards among the
dangerous lunatics 1t appears that in this place
there are bells and lower hels. Mr.. Thayers
pam phlet on "Ihe Indiana Crazy House is full
of instances of cruelty to patients, and DR..
Fletcher himself said to a member OF the civil
service investigating committee that what was
known of these cruelties was as nothing to that
which is necessarily unknown.
THE 'RING" METHOD OF LETTING CONTRACTS
Dr. Fletcher, superintendent Of the Hospital
for the Insane is himself no bad witness as to
the method of making purchases of party favor
ties that has prevailed, and yet prevails at the
hospital He testified in relation to butter
eggs aud poultry contract awarded to John E.
Sullivan, of this city. that it was "far above the
retail price. | asked as favor that neither bid
! [Sullivan's or Budd's be accepted, as desired
| to save from 5000 to $500 for investments IN
amusements and ward decorations for the pa
tients. To this l understood the president lDr.
| Harrison to agree, and he told ar Sullivan that
we had so determined. | then took the bids, and
| closed with Howard Duffy, Columbus, Ind, AT
| NEARLY ONE-HALF LESS THAN THE LOWEST
PRICE OFFERED. Thus far the eggs and poultry
| have been better than any used in the hospital
since we have been here, and THE BUT
| TER WAS NOT MIXED, AND GAVE ABOUT
THE SANE SATISFACTION AS THE BEST CREAM
| ERY so CALLED, THAT WE PAID % CENTS FOR
Now comes John Sullivan and says that he has
got the contract for the produce and is ordered
| to deliver the same. l. having no such direc
tons from the board of trustees, have refused to
recognize Mr.. Sullivans demands
respectfully suggest that if economy and quality
are objects worth considering in dissatisfaction,
that the board authorize the steward or superin
| tendent, or go themselves twice a week and pur-
chase by selection or bids all vegetables, fruit,
butter and eggs. It is in this way only that we
| can insure good and fresh materials at the most
| reasonable rates."
! Superintendent FIetcher's proposed reform
! went unheeded. Neither was he afterwards al
| lowed to make purchases. John E. Sullivan was
renstatsd, and nobody else need try to supply
this institution with the articles of produce he
| deals in. --~~