The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-18
NO FUNDS TO SUSTAIN 1T.
The Northern Insane Hospital Left Without q
Dollar to Pay Current Expenses.

The Governor yesterday received a COM
munication from DR.. Joseph G. Rodgers, of
the Northern Hospital for the Insane, at
LoganspOrt. concerning a matter which has
been talked about to some extent, but with
no particular attention given to it When
formally presented, however, in cold official
legal cap, it creates a decidedly unpleasant
sensation, and adds yet another to the
numerous sins of omission and commission
of the late Democratic Legislature. The
Doctors letter is as follows:
INDIANAPOLIs, Ind, Aug. 16.
Hon. A. P. Hovey, Governor:
sir-.I beg leave to submit the following: Sec
ton IL OF an act of 1883 Up. 164) made provision
for the maintenance of any one Of the new hospi-
tails for insane as soon as ready; for all, without
defining the amount. Under this law the North
ern Hospital was opened in 1888, and the current
expenses paid until March IL, 1882, when the
deficiency act Of 1889 Y. 42W became operative.
tions, but charges this sum with all disburse-
ments whatever made during the four months OF
Unfortunately, in November and Deem
Der. $4,000 had been paid out for
9 Suss sI g9sr5ssiphIn ag.ui to ., the = : re;y Tm%s IN fiscal cal
treasury, in addition to the sums necessary 10
meet the monthly cost Of maintenance. This
definite limit to the sums us payable in any given
period OF time, and the retroactive effect OF the
deficiency act; which appears TO be clearly de-
against the sum definitely appropriated for the
fiscal year, after four or five OF its months had
elapsed and about $4,000 bad been
tween P%sa 0o $e.o aNS " and s7.o sspsD' To-day 0i I
find s3.555.44 only to the credit of the institu-
they they; amount nos att to S q .ss5 ssSe T The I inmates ss'S Of I the
institution number $40, and the employees
ninety. All the insane of the northern twenty
there and cannot be received into the Central
i h6sptts'- unle sss' cured red R fSe la W d pro1iSlts
any Indebtedness under the circumstances. The
Institution being barred from such action there
remains only the possibility that your excellency
may suggest or devise a way one of the existing
conditions. With the hope that you may be able,
promptly and satisfactorily, so to do. the forego-
ing statement Is set forth. 1 am very respect
fully your obedient servant.
JOS. c. RODGERS. M. D.,
Supt. N. II. Inns.
p. s.-The cost of maintenance for the four
months remaining Of the fiscal year will be about
$4,000.
To this the Governor replied:
EXECUTIVE Dept, STATE OF INDIANA,}
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. II. 1889.
DR.. Joseph Rogers, Superintendent Northern Hospi-
Dear Sir-I am in receipt of your communica-
ton OF the 10th inst, In relation TO the financial
condition of the Northern Hospital for the in
sane 1 fully concur with your view as to the eff
feet of the legislation OF the last General Assem-
bly,. You are left without the means Of sustain
ing your institution for several months, and it
would be a great calamity If you were compelled
to send your patients home because the General
Assembly failed to make proper preparations for
its support. The Constitution and humanity
demand that the hospital should he
sustained, and L have no fear that
the next Legislature win fail to make all neces-
sary provisions. The trustees can incur no in
debtedness tor the purpose Of carrying on your
hospital. and / know OF no means by which the
necessary supplies for the four months can be
obtained unless they are procured by you on the
assurance that the proper appropriation would
be made by the next General Assembly for the
payment, with interest. i shall regard it as my
duty to IN such appropriation by the
next General Assembly. Yours truly,
ALVIN p. HOvEY, Governor.
When questioned regarding the matter,
the Governor said he had nothing further
to say. as his letter, though brief. covered
the ground.