The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-13

1t seems that these acquisitions and the
system of bookkeeping throws about all
the safeguards around the interests of the
state that are possible, as every article can
be followed by records and vouchers from
its reception at the store to its consump-
ton.
The Journal INDUCED in some political
gush a few days ago because the board re-
jected all bids for butter, and then paid
more in the open market than WIS bid.
The board rejected all bids because no
first-class samples were presented for their
acceptance. 1t paid more in the open
market because first-class butter could not
be bought for the prices that were bid.
This is a simple and plain solution of the
mystery" The Journal would undoubt-
eddy have been highly pleased to have had
an opportunity to ring the changes on
"maggotty butter" IN the next campaign.
DIR. Wright has utilized the grove in the
rear of the buildings by cleaning it up and
appropriating it to the use of the male
patients in which to exercise themselves in
the athletic games, such as base ball. foot
ball, quoits, etc, which he has added to
the means of amusement and recreation of
these people, to whom these are as good
remedial agents as can be found in the
materia medica. This leaves the entire
lawn in front of and around the buildings
for the use OF the females, at such times
and in such weather as outdoor games
can be played. Among these, too, he has
introduced many new means OF recrea-
ton, even to foot ball.
If the state would buy 100 acres of good
farm land adjoining the asylum grounds,
much of the intelligent muscular energy
now expended by the men in playing base
ball, etc., could be utilized in the raising
of the vegetables necessary for the
consumption OF the two thousand people
daily fed there. This would be saving
of thousands of dollars annually besides
supplying them with fresh and wholesome
vegetables
As before said, all methods of restraint,
such as tying, etc, have been abolished,
and nothing is resorted to except the gar
ment hereinbefore mentioned. Kind
ness and moral force are believed to be
amply sufficient to control the most vicious
suicidal or homicidal maniac-these and
keeping out of their reach all means of
indulging their peculiar mania. The past
five months have demonstrated the cor
rectness of this theory.
The next legislature should provide two
Improvements:
l. The entire water supply for the two
buildings is dependent on one pump. If
this should get out of repair, the institu-
ton would be without water for fre-pro-
lection or any other. purpose until it was
repaired. An additional pump of equal
capacity should be provided and set ready
for use at moments notice.
2. Each building is dependent on one
pipe, about five hundred feet long, four
feet under ground, for the supply of heat.
In case of accident to either of these pipes
the building would be without heat until
the leak was found and repaired, and this,
OF cold day, might be fatal to hundreds.
Such an accident is not probable, but it is
possible, and should be provided against,
either by an extra pipe, as in the case of
the pump, or by LAYING these in tunnels
so that they would be accessible along
their entire length.
Acknowledgements are due DIR. and Mrs.
Wright for the kindness with which they
extended THE SENTINEL reporter every
facility for investigation, and to Mr..
Thomas Marley of the board for his court
esy in showing him through every de-
partment. And the same kindness and
courtesy will be extended TO anyone who
may wish TO view the working of the new
regime. DIR. Wright SAYS he does not fear,
Out tOultn NAiC AuAAIob liANNctlSdAiOAls lnNiG
are no secrets.
The fact that DIR. Wright and Mr..
Marley were kindly recognized by many
patients indicates that the energy and zeal
of these gentlemen in the cause of these
unfortunates are understood and appreci-
ated by them.
The board of trustees elected by the leg
islature last spring, consists of DIR. Zacha-
riah II. Houser, the Hon. Joseph L. Car
son and Mr.. Thomas Markey. These
gentlemen are administering the affairs
of the hospital in an intelligent, efficient
and honest manner. They did a nice
thing to begin with, when they selected
man of the high professional and per-
sonal standing OF DIR. Wright for super
intendent. They clothed him with abso-
lutte authority in the matter of hiring and
discharging employees, ETC., and they are
supporting him handsomely in his every
effort TO improve the institution.