The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-01
FOOD FOR THE HOSPITALS.
Gov Gray Says the Asylum Inmates
Fare Better than they Ought To-"
in Attempting TO Refute the Charges Respect
ing the Improper Food at the Insane
Asylum, Gov Gray Uses This Language.

On the 18th of October, Friday last, Gov.
Isaac P Gray made speech y. the city of
Greeucastie. On that evening to Journal re-
seived the following letter.
''To the Editor If the indianapolis Journal:
''In a speech here this afternoon to an i'm
Nlerse audience Governor Gray, speaking OF the
Republican charges against the Insane Asylum
officials feeding diseased meat to the inmates,
said From my observation and experience. I
dhink that the inmates Of these institutions
usually fare better than they should. Would
lt not be we'll TO have the Journal say something
about this 20 morrow!
"GREExcAsrlE. Oct. %, 1886"
The letter signed by a perfectly respon-
sible party, but the Journal could not believe
that the Governor Of the State would use such
language, and te!eeraphed MIR Geo J. Langs-
dale, editor of the Banner receiving from him
the following really:
"Your report Of Gray's speech is correct
The Journal did not yet ike to give currency
to this remarkable language. and asked for aud
awaited further evidence. On Saturday there
same the following affidavit:
"GREENcAsTLE, IND Oct %, 1886.
''In the course of his speech hare, yesterday,
Gov /. z. Gray said, substantially:
" THE Republicans have accused the officers Of the
Insane Asylum with having fed the inmates m ag-
gotty meat and oleomargarine butter. Is there any
sane man here who believes that! What motive could
officers have IN doing such thing that! The law
requires that they should all supplies from
the lowest bidder, and this the Democratic officers of
She Insane Asyl IN nave done, greatly reducing the
expenses, compared with the Republican manage
meut. The State settles the bills; the officers pay
aothing. What motive, then could they have! When
the State pays tie bills experience is that the n
mates Of these institutions usually fare better than
they ought to- A. j. BEvERIDGE,
''RODERT g. JOHNSON,
81 SCAR FAUGHT,
u. w HAYMOND.
''Before me Thomas It. Moore a notary public in
and for Putnam county Indiana, personally came A.
j. Beveeidge. Robert Johnson, Oscar Vaught and
J. w. Raymond and made OATH in due form of law,
Shat they present at Greencastle Ind Thurs
aay, the 2Sth day of October. 1886, and heard Gov.
Grays address and that to the best of their recoec
Zion and belief he made the statements set forth in
The foregoing affidavit Witness my hand and notaria
seal this 18th day of October, 1886.
lSeal. ''THOIAS-S. MOORE Notary Public
Now. we do not care to go over the proof that
thu inmates of the Insane Asylum have been
fed meat butchered from a drove of diseased
hogs. bad butter, and other improper food. The
evidence of this is unquestionable. and rests
upon the statement of no less man than
Superintendent Fletcher and the official reports
made to him by the officers of the institution.
the State in public speech. deliberately de-
ciares that his observation and experience is
that ''tha inmates of these institutions usually
fare better than they ought to-
But, supposng it were not true that the in
mates of the Insane Asylum have been FED upon
such food. as the evidence, not syllable OF
which has been impeached conclusiyely shows,
will the people of Indiana indorse Governor
Gray in the assertion that the inmates of our
State Institutions at best, fare better than
they ought to-? Governor Gray receives sal
airy of Sc coo year He is we'll off in this
worlds goods. He is in the = enjoy
ment of life and health and Of all
his faculties. He is seeking higher honors
from tho people OF the State. Many of these
people have dear friends in the Asylums for the
Insane, the Blind and the Deaf and Dumb,
and in the Soldiers Orphans Home. at
Knigntstown. Does it sound well, coming from
the lips of the chief executive of the State that
the poor, diseased demented and stricken wards
OF public benevoence fare better than they
ought to-! The sentiment is cold blooded and
heGrtless. 1t is an expression that should be re-
buked by an overwhelming verdict against the
party in whose interests such words must DO
used.