The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-09
THE ADVOCATES OF REFORM.
The Indiana Civil-Service People Meet
and Express Their Views.
A Member Endeavors to Make Democratic
Political Capital. and, Failing to Succeed,
Withdraws-Mr. Foulkes Address.

terday afternoon at Plymouth Church. Hon.
W. d. Foulke presided A few changes in the
constitution were reported and adopted. in
Guiding the change of the number of members
constituting the executive committee from six
to ten.
w. Y. Stewart, of Lafayette. well-known
Democrat and q member Of the association,
rose and said the committee that reported on
the abuses existing in the Indiana Hospital for
the Insane had plainly violated the fourth arti
Gle of the constitution of the association as the
report was clearly partisan one, and to be
used by Republican orators during the canvass.
He presented resolution providing that the re-
port of the executive committee on the manage
ment of the Insane Asylum should be referred
back to the committee, with instructions to in
vestigate the previous management of the asy-
lum. The motion was seconded by Lucius B.
Swift, not indorsing it. but for the purpose of
bringing it before the association for discussion.
Charles E. Brooks of this city, said that there
was no doubt there had been partisanship in the
asylum in the past, but nothing now said or
done regarding it would be of use. He re-
garded investigation of the character sug-
gested as entirely beyond the question.
Mr.. Stewart thought these investiga tons
ought TO be made in such way that they could
not be used politically as a campaign document
He said that while these charges had been made
against Democratic management. nothing had
been said about putting the institution a non
partisan basis.
Mr.. Swift said they had proposed to take the
principle of the Pendleton bill and adapt it to
the State institutions ut has been known to
few of US long time" he said, that the Insane
Hospital was managed in such a way as to make
it subject of criticism. The whsperings were
loud that it was not honestly managed, and final
ly the information came in such way and from
such sources as to make it absolutely reliable
thatitwas not only managed in partisan way, but
in very corrupt way. Itcame to this association,
and, coming as it did, there was but one thing to
do. That was to investigate Now, the report
has been made and properly published, setting
forth Scandalous state of affairs, and yet not
all by a great deal that might have been set
forth. / grant that under Republican admins
trations not many Democrats got places there.
There may have been other faults. but DO not
see that it was incumbent upon this association
to go back and find faults that had gone out of
| existence and which the people of Indiana have
| no power to correct The committee took the In
| sane Hospital as it stands to-day and made
q report on what IL 1OUnQ. lt IS
| true that report has been published, but am
| not going to agree with Mr. Stewart that it was
| for partisan purposes 1t is to be seen by all
| Democrats as well as Republicans. l believe
when legislature is to be elected is the time to
discuss such things If the Republicans will
apply the remedy prepared by this association
am glad of it. If the Democrats propose to
remedy it let them put candidates"for the Legis-
lature in the field pledged to do So Let them
say, and let the Republicans say that no scoun-
Aral 70
late these institutions for his private uses and
the uses of his party as he has done. / am in
favor of this association presenting interroga-
tories to every candidate for the Legislature,
Democrat or Republican.
Oliver T. Morton said it was apparent that
Mr.. Stewart proposed to investigate the previous
| management of the hospital. not because of any
power this association could have, for that mat
ter could not be reached in any way. but simply
because it was Republican. Mr.. Stewards de-
sign is to make this association partisan.
judged. B. Black said that Mr. Stewards sug-
gestion that the doings of the Republicans
should be investigated when they were in power
after this lapse Of time could not be DONE Con
ceve If you can he said, 'the difficulty of max
ing such report as is called for by this nvesti
CATION. The object of this association ia plainly
stated to be to establish and maintain system
of appointments, promotions and removals in
these Institutions founded upon the principle
| that public Office is public trust / cannot
see how we are to reform the conduct of any of
| the institutions of this State unless we bring
| them before the people and show the corruption
and mismanagement that is going on They
| to be discussed by the people in political cam
| paigns The real question is whether that re
port gives facts, and if these facts true the
| consequence is plain"
| Mr.. Foulke said he had taken the ground that
| the people Of the State should know of these
| things and that he will always be
ready to make such exposures whether
they hurt Democrats or Republicans. He
| would approve the resolution introduced by Mr..
| Stewart, il allowed to amend it as to provide
| THAT the report of the executive committee on
| the management of the Insane Asylum should
| be referred back. with instructions to investi
| gate further the present and previous manage
| ments of the asylums."
Mr.. Stewart accepted the amendment. MIR.
Foulke said he had no fears of the investi-
| CATION of the Republican management of the
| hospital. That it was partisan is no argument
| in this matter except that it only adds another
moral, and that is that these institutions should
be taken out of partisan control.
| Judge Black opposed the motion, because it
| was the same kind often made by parties in Con
! gress When one side moves an investigation,
the other side, to cripple it of its force moves
an investigation, going further back. The pur-
| pose was political and partisan.
Mr. Morton-There are other institutions
about which we have heard some very ugly
things If any more investigating is to be DONE
it would more properly apply to existing evils.
| Mr. Stewards resolution, with the amendment
| of Mr.. Foulke was lost
| Mr. Stewart wish my name stricken from
! the rolls of the association.
The president informed him his request should
| be granted
| Mr. Stewart grabbed his hat corrugated his
| brow. and with stately and impressive Stride
retired l. u Slow music and red fire.
| Mr. Rowland offered the following, adding
parenthetical!y, that Philip Gapen. one of the
trustees of the Hospital for the Insane, who
continued to hold Office and draw salary had
been for several months In Arkansas, absent
| from his official duties:
| Resolved, That special committee of three be
| appointed by the Chair to examine the charges and
testimony against the trustees of the Insane Hospital
and request the Attorney general to bring proceed
ngs for the removal of such trustees have violated
the statutes of this State if in their opinion the evi.
| dence warrants such proceedings.
| ~ resolution was adnnted and Messrs. Nor
| lAo A~~- ---sv~