St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-11
LET IN MORE LIGHT.
Gov. Merriam Deems Our
Asylums Are Below the
Average,
And Appoints a Special Com
mission to Make Thorough
Investigation.
Apparently Very Little Inter-
est Is Felt Among the
County Republicans.
Defendant Maresch Makes
Defendant Maresch Makes
Considerable Mystery Out
Of His Case.

Gov. Merriam is not satisfied with the
present administration of affairs in the
Minnesota hospitals for the insane, and
he frankly confeSses that his inquiry
into the methods of the management
shows that in this matter Minnesota is
''far behind some of our-Sister states"
And just on the eve of gubernatorial
campaign he announces new lunacy
commission, and rigidly charges them
to make most searching inspection of
the hospitals and report the results to
him at once.
Yesterday he appointed DR.. E. c.
Riggs, DR.. d. B. Collins. of st. Paul,
and Dr.. FL. W. Brace, of Minneapolis,
as such lunacy commission. The duties
of the board are prescribed by the laws
of 1877, as amended by acts of 1878 and
1881, which reads:
The governor shall appoint commission
of three doctors. one of whom shall be q
member of the state board of health, who
shall serve fora period of two years, or
until their successors shall be appointed,
who shall constitute a commission whose
duties it shall be to visit the several Mime
sofa hospitals for the insane at least once
every six months of each year, or upon the
and inspect said hospitals as to the sanitary
condition and the general management of
the same, and also 10 examine the mental
and physical condition of the patients
therein; frequency, manner and cause of
punishment; elOpements, deaths, and such
other matters as may fall within the scope OF
thorough hospital inspection, and report in
detail to the governor within ten days after
each and every such inspection is made.
Said commission shall be known as the
hlunoou mi - O md shall rnnnjye for
the said services and expenses the sum OF
500 per annum each, etc.
Following directly upon this official
act the governor dictated pungent let
ter of instruction to the board, copies of
which were forwarded yesterday. 1t
makes mighty interesting reading:
To the Honorable Gentlemen of the Lunacy
Commission: While it has always been, and
now is. the aim of the honorable gentlemen
composing the GARD of trustees of the Min
nesota hospitals for the insane, the state
board of correction and charities and the
lunacY commission i'll their respective func-
tions to raise the standard of excellence in
all matters pertaining to the management of
our hospitals for insane, in applying to the
care and treatment of the unfortunate in
mates of the most approved methods, and
In surrounding them with conditions
the most beneficial to themselves and
gratifying to their friends and
direction. am constrained to believe after
having given the matter very considerable
thought ana study, and after inquiring into
the methods and means applied IN sim liar
institutions elsewhere, that we are not en-
tirely abreast with the times in caring for
our insane, and that in the application of
improved methods in treatment and in SAN
itary matters we are far behind some of our
sitter states.
Recognizing the fact that the common
xuna1th q ScnrnO m for fhQcQ II
fortunate children, has accepted most sa-
cred change, ana has bound itself to the
proper performance of duty most solemn.
/ cannot but feel that failure to make avail
can suggest, or the practices Of an
economy that makes the best means
and best care impractieable, would
be neglect almost criminal in character.
Referring to the enactments creating the
lunacy commission, and defining its duties
it would seem, in my judgment, that these
matters are such as should receive investiga-
ton at the hands of its members; therefore,
l do hereby authorize and instruct the lun-
acy commission TO proceed to make inyesti-
CATION as follows:
First-To visit the Minnesota hospital for
insane, and to make thorough examination
as to sanitary conditions, as the same affect
the health and well being of inmates.
Second-To ascertain If the food supply is
ample and healthful, and. viewed from
medical standpoint, all that ii should be, and
if the time and manner of serving the same
to patients may be in all things approved.
Third-To thoroughly investigate the mat
ter of supervision of and attendance upon
patients, and especially to note the character
experience and competency of attendants
and their fitness or unfitness for the peeul-
lar and delicate duties that devolye upon
them.
Fourth-To carefully look into and study
the whole system of management of our hos
pitfalls for insane, with view of aScertaining
whether or not radical changes in caring for
and treating patients are desirable and prac-
ticable.
1t is my earnest desire that this investiga-
ton shall be as earnest and far-reaching as
possible, and to this end would suggest that
systems and methods in vogue in other states
be carefully studied. 1 wish to spare no eff
fort within practicable and lawful limits to
make our hospitals for insane models in all
their appointments, and faultless in manage
ment.
AS soon as your commission has conducted
these investigations, and at as early a date as
practicable, shall be glad to receive from
you full report of your findings. Respect
ully W. r. MERRIAM, Governor.