The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
AN UNI UST LAW.
should Inmates Of he Insane Hospital BE
Taxed for Their Msintennnce?


Taxed for Their Mpintenance?
To THE EDIToR-Sir: There are laws en-
acted which when applied become very
odious. One of these laws 1 desire to
point out. On page 1914 and Sec. the
law reads thus:
That the several boards of trustees of the
several hospitals for the insane of the state OF
Indiana shall make prompt and full inquiry as
10 the value OF the estate OF
every patient in general hospitals and
thereto application may be made; and if in the
judgment OF such board said estate be cOmpe-
tent To meet the expense of the care of said pa
Trent in the hospital the fact snail be duly re-
corded by said board in the register of said
hospital and on notice received from said
board by the clerk OF the county in which said
patient may have legal settlement n the IN
sanity record required by law TO be kept in his
office. etc.
This provides that the board may col
lect the sum assessed against said patient
to reimburse the institution or state for
care and keeping of the patient
The people point TO the hospitals for
these unfortunate people with pride as
benevole and charitable institutions Is
there any benevolence or charity in
charging these unfortunate people for
their care and keeping?
Bills have been sent to this Washing
tom county for collection against three
patients. viz: VIM. Carter, John PURGE
and Morgan Smedley. The bill against
John Purlee is more than oue-th.rd of
what his property would bring if sold at
public sale. The charge against Carter is
unreasonable, for ne is only a common
liver, farmer. In three or four years
this law applied would eat up such estates
and leave the wife with children without
any support all Tor the sake OF reimburs-
Ing the great state of Indiana If man
owes debts more than he can pay the law
says he may have exempt $500 to assist
him on in the world. But here is a board
that can make out charges against men
and women OF unsOund mind or insane,
send the same TO the county where the
patients have property and collect the
sums adjudged 10y them. Can any person
who has the milk OF human kindness in
his breast defend such law or the execu-
ton OF the same? ihese parties have no
voice IN tine proceed ngs which send them
to the hospital for treatment. They are
taken against their wi Is, If they have any.
Shall the state of Indiana assess damages
against these parties for keeping and
caring for them while in this helpless con-
dition? These same people while in the
hospital) are assessed, and the tax is
levied on their property to help defray the
expenses OF the state the same as other
people. Yet this law as it stands charges
them heavily for keeping them besides
the regular tax.
This law Is oppressive, inhuman and
against the principles OF civilized society
aud the Christian religion.
Again, this law is not constitutional
a 4
This article provides for the establishment
and support OF institutions Tor the educa-
ton Of the deaf and dumb and Of the
blind, and also for the treatment of the
insnne" If the inmates of the insane
hospitals are to be charged for their treat
ment, why not charge the parents for the
support and education of the deaf and
dumb and the blind? The constitution
never contemplated that any or either of
these classes OF unfortunate persons should
be charged Tor their care, treatment and
support.
The supreme court of Indiana has de-
cided against the spirit of this law. (>ec.
"a, \. L. Reporter. on page 1922 at is
thoroughly settled proposition that
where one is received into charitable in
stitut on for support or treatment. the law
raises no implied obligation to pay in tie
oboOAlOO VI a IOllki dJts 1ncSC lldIlitS MlO
are sent to the insane hospital are in
capable of making a con Tact and, under
law, as laid down by our court, there can
be no implied contract to pay the ex-
penses for treatment. The court saws, in
this same opinion: "'The wayfaring man
who fell among thieves may have been
rich as Dives, but became under no i'm
piled Obligation to reimburse the good
Samaritan, who set an example of charity
by pouring oil and wine into mis- wounds
and by lodging him at an iun at his own
expense"
The state has established the insane
hospitals, and says to the relatives of the
unfortunate: "Send them for treatment.
The people are taxed for their support"
This is a charitable act on the part of the
state; but it is niggardly to charge these
people for treatment, and thus to rob
their wives and children of comfortable
liyings, thus by law making paupers of
them. Let this law be repeae ed by the
legis ature. S. H MITCHELL.
Salem, Ind, Jan. 10.