The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-14
WANTED, A BOARD OF CHARITIES.

The superintendent OF the Vigo county poor
Farm has, according to local paper, adopted
= method of governing refractory paupers
which seems to be regarded by that individual
rs rejecting great credit upon himself The
food furnished at the poor farm is not it APP
pears, entirely satisfactory, at all times, to
eertain inmates, and they refuse to partake of
It The rebellious ones are usually the insane
the paupers of sound mind being probably too
wary and judicious to venture to decline any
viands that may be set before them. When
ward of the county has the audacity and poor
Judgment to reject the fare provided for him
the ingenious superintendent orders that the
lnnatic be thrown upon his back and made
to believe that red-hot iron rod is to be
thrust down his throat. The fact that the
rod is Of wood painted red at the end is not
recognized by the PROSTATE wretch near
whose dazed eyes it is fourished. and, much
DO the delight of the perpetrators of this ex-
quisite joke, the victim rises in frightened
haste and begins eating.
Pleasing anecdotes of this sort which APP
pear from time to time in the local press of
the State may be regarded as indicating in
some degree the manner in which public in
situations are being conducted. Such little
leaflets of experience as the managers may see
III to give out are, indeed, the only means by
whssh the outside world can know, definitely,
anything concerning the inner workings of
these establishments. The public should,
perhaps, be grateful that it is permitted to
share in the enjoyment Of such episodes as
that Of terrorizing helpless lunatic; but
it is an inquisitive public when once its inter
est is aroused, and narrative of this nature
stimulates its curiosity to know something
more of the methods in vogue in the same
and similar Institutions It would like, for
instance, to be informed what variety of
dainty it is that fails to suit the fastidious
taste of Vigo county lunatics. Can it be pos
able that is something which only those with
strong stomachs and determined wills can
swallow? The insane are, as rule, favored
with vigorous appetites, and it is but natural
to seek the cause when they turn with loath-
ing from their dinners. It would be interest
ing, too, to learn what mode of punishment,
or of threatened punishment is used for 9TH
ar and more serious misdemeanors. The
question will arise, Suppose the lunatic re-
fuses to be cowed by the rod, what thenp Is
genuine poker substituted, or is he starved
into submission or shut in dark cell?
These matters are easily settled the careless
or Indifferent reader may say. 'sThese insti-
tutions are open to visitors" is remark that
Is often heard. Are they, truly9 Visitors
can come and go, to be sure they are con-
Quoted through the various departments with
more or less politeness, they are bowed out
with exceeding graciousness, but did ever one
of them of an investigating turn of mind
feel after such trip that he had seen and
been told alla-that nothing had been con-
eealed? And how often is it that the private
Sitizen interests himself sufficiently to 60
upon investigating toursa Who knows, as
result of his own observation, whether the
poor-house in his own county is properly con-
Quoted or mott Who has any but vague,
nearsay information concerning the treat
ment of prisoners in Jail and station house?
Perhaps the convicts in the penitentiaries
are humanely treated, but who knows2 Ru-
mors to the contrary are heard now and then,
and at intervals of two or four years
parties of junketing statesmen, otherwise
known as committees of inquiry, are wined
and dined at the prisons, and there is an end
Possibly the Insane Hospital, the Institutions
Tor the Blind and the Deaf and Dumb cover
no abuses, but how do we know? Two years
) ago the State penal and charitable ms iutions
were placed in charge of men who, Up &, that
time, were without experience. Whether
hey have developed fitness for the positions
At all proportionate to their "claims upon the
party" is matter of which the public has no
proper means of judging. The Governor of
the State is the legal supervisor of the asy-
iups and prisons, but even were he inclined
to an impartial judgement of his own party
associates, it is too much to expect that with
MS other duties he can give proper attention
20 the management Of these immense estab-
Eahments. Governor Porter, who recognized