The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-14
THE COST OF INSANITY INQUESTS.
More Information About How They Are Made
Unnecessarily Expensive to the County.

The magistrates do not like to meet the fact
of their drawing unnecessary fees in insanity in
quests. One of them said yesterday, "Why are
we held altogether responsible in this matter9
The clerk receives fees so do the sheriff, and the
doctors and the Witnesses"
Certainly, but if there is any discretionary
power in these cases, it lies With the magis-
trates"
eff an application to hold an inquest is made
to us, we have no recourse"
''But can't you lessen the COSTLY reducing the
timer g
eve never adjourn case. The first day Is
always used in getting ready for the inquest, in
summoning witnesses, ID it is not until the Sec
ond day that we are really in session"
This magistrate is one of the best and most
careful in the city, but his statement does not
relieve the custom of charging for two days
work, when, in nine-tenths of the cases, the
testimony can be taken and a verdict reached in
about two hours. From July Is Dec 81, last 160
inquests were held. and in each charges for two
days services were made both by the magistrates
and doctors The county clerk says he has tried
to check this abuse by refusing to certify to the
costs. and in some cases has stopped the pay
custom still exists and is likely to run along un
til the Legislature takes hold of the matter.
An inquest is to be held to-day that peculiarly
illustrates the weakness of the system Frank
Powell. two or three weeks ago, was found hid-s
ing in the girls cloak room at Van Camps estab-
lshment. He was arrested ard indicted for
burglary. He had served term in the peniten-
tiary for crimnally assaulting a young lady.
While waiting trial for this offense his friends
applied for an inquest of lunacy, and on the Goth
of September, four years ago, Justices Pease and
Thompson held it. The witnesses said he was
of weak mind caused, probably, by swallowing
Paris green-that he was violent at times and
threatened to strike his mother. Drs. BoyntoC
and Raymond thought him to be out of mental
balance, but the latter would give no positive
opinion. Justice Thompson wanted to send him
to the asylum, but Justice Pease did not think
him sufficiently insane to require treatment in
that institution. In the meantime Powell had
been taken tolthe asylum but the disagreement
to the verdict led the next day to his being
brought back to Jail. Another inquest was held
Oct 3 by Justices Feibleman and Woodland,
when the witnesses offered the same testimony,
but to strengthen the affirmative answers
to the suicidal and homicdal questions
given. They were omitted at the first inquest.
It was also claimed that Powell believed ghosts
were after him, but the examining physicians,
Drs. Parvln and Waterman. found nothing in
his physical and mental condition to establish
insanity. 1t was decided that he was not insane.
After this his trial and conviction occurred. To
establish his sanity, cost the county $98 do.
This is the man who ia to be again examined
as to his mental condition. When his friends
made an application for the inquest Justice
Smock referred the matter to the County Com
missioners. They told him shat he could not do
otherwise than proceed as Powell's friends
wished.