The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1893-01-04

pScSl 30, anu lOT olHct ucScosdiico sup
piled them, $354.9l making a total of
$3176.l4.
The indirect cost to which our tax
payers are put for the maintenance OF
the insane as state patients, including
the expense of the support in all that
the term implies of the institution, is
not included in these figures, but is
quite large and is collected as part OF
the state taxes.
Our laws now provide that when
person in INDECENT circumstances, bit
not a pauper, becomes insane, applica-
ton may be made in his behalf to the
Judge of probate of the county where
he resides, who is required to immed-
ately notify such alleged insane person
of the application, as well as any rela-
ton or person having such insane
party in custody as he may deem nee
essary, to call two legally qualified
physicians and other credible witnesses
and to notify the prosecuting attorney
and the supervisor of the township or
the alderman of the ward in which
the insane person resides at the time
and place of the hearing to be held by
him.
At the hearing, the probate judge is
required to fully Investigate the facts
in the case. If the Judge determines that
the person is insane and that his
estate is insufficient to support him
and his family, or if he has no estate
himself, he is to be admitted to the
asylum to be supported for two years
at the expense of the county to which
he belongs, if not sooner cured and
discharged, and thereafter. to be kept
at the expense of the state at large.
The law also provides for the admis-
sion to the asylum of pauper insane
persons by direction of the probate
Judge, to be supported by the county
to which they belong.
A large percentage of the people who
are admitted to our insane asylums are
sent there as INDECENT insane, and in Il
great many instances, while they and
their relatives are unable to be at the
whole expense of their maintenance,
they could without hardship and should
contribute some portion thereof.
For manifest reasons authority
should be given to the probate judge
to determine and direct what portion
should be paid out of the estate of the
insane person, if he has any, or by his
near relatives. for such purpose, and to
enforce obedience to his orders in the
premises, not however making the adj
mission of the patient to the asylum
depend upon the payment thereof.
When patients are admitted to an
asylum entirely at the expense of the
people, their friends lin the same case
at least are apt to lose that sense of
responsibility for their care and early
recovery which it is wholesome that
they should feel, and which they would
| feel if at some cost in the matter.
If IA large majority of patients who
are sent to the asylum as INDECENT
insane were afflicted with any other
malady, they would be provided for at
home without help from the people,
and certainly not at the entire cost of
the public.
Why should not husband who has Il
wife afflicted with insanity be compelled
to pay just rs much as he reasonably
can, in view of all his worldly circum
stances and ability to earn money,
towards the cure and care of his wife,
or why should not parents be asked to
do what they may be reasonably able
to do towards a suitable provision for
and proper treatment of their insane
child?
Certain of the near blood relatives
of poor person may be required by
the superintendent of the poor to con-
tribute towards his support, and there
is no good reason why the law should
make any distinction in the case of a
poor insane person.
AS the law now stands, the Judge of
probate has no power to compel the
appropriation of what estate an indi-
gent insane person may have, or any
part of it, towards his support, OF to
require even husband in INDECENT
circumstances to help in supplying his
insane wife with the comforts and
benefits which she may be afforded
in any one of our insane asylums,
though he may find that he is well able
to do so.
This is all wrong, and legislation
should be speedily adopted for it's
correction.
The word "indigent," as applied to
our insane, is relative term, depend
ing for its definition upon the liberal
ity and good judgment of our probate
judges, and it should receive liberal
construction, and is word to which
some probate courts interpret much
more literally in the interest of those
seeking to place their insane relatives