The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-12

pleased to cooperate with you along
these lines in order to more fully pro-
tect our unfortunates than under the
present law, whrere the board of chart
ties goes on a specified date to visit
these institutions, and mas no chance TO
obtain knowledge as to the exact cond1-
lions of the inmates, when not present
and the treatment accorded them by
the employees of the institution.
/ have been handed the tenth bien-
NAL report of the board of trustees of
the charitable institutions, which, in
addition to the information have al
ready received, gives me the basis for
the recommendations which I shall
make for the different institutions:
however, there are several of them, and
their wants are many. tits the custom for
the committees of the two houses on
penal and charita Bile institutions to Wis
it, during the session of the legislature,
the different state institutions and re-
port their conditions and wants to their
respective bodies, and | would esteem
it favor if any suggestions they might
see prOpeT@ to make to the two houses
be also made to me, for, of all the re-
sponsibilities am charged with by the
suffra ges of the people of this state.
none appeals more deeply to me than
the welfare of the inmates of these in
situations.
INSANE ASYLUM AT OSAWATOMIE
AT the last session of the legislature,
appropriations were made for the re-
building of the central building at this
institution, erection of boiler house,
electric light plant, and several minor
improvements. These improvements
have all been made,yet from the reports
of the superintendent of this institution
I find, that there are several matters
that need your consideration Ihe
principal one is, that the property has
sustained serious damage which de-
mands repairs, and unless these are ac-
compliShed at the earliest possible mo-
ment, great injury Will be done the in
stitution Not having had an Opportu-
nifty to visit and make a. personal ex-
animation of this matter, / would call
the attention of your committees who
visit the different state institutions, to
this report 1t would not only be neg
lectful, but an unsOund business policy
to allow any of our state institutions to
be ruined by the elements on account
| of not taking proper precautions for
| their preservation. 1t is also asked
that a new laundry building be given
the institution. One of the strongest
pleas is that the present laundry build
| ing is detrimental to the health of the
| institution. owing to its lack of sani-
| tary arrangements. It is said to be
standing menace, constantly increasing
| the risk of the institution being de-
| stroyed by fire. Several times during
the last few years, the public mind and
conscience have been disturbed by aw-
! full reports of burning institutions OF
| this kind. Often the helpless inmates
were cremated, and horrible scenes
| have been enacted. I believe it our
! duty to do all in our power to protect
our state institutions from the elements
| and if upon investigation, the COM
| plants made are valid, believe it
| would be proper and right to grant the
request while we are pledged to econ
| omy, we are not pledged to that econ
| ony which risks not alone the states
property, but the lives of our fellow be-
| ings. This institution like the Topeka
| insane asylum,csiS over-croWded. and
| every possible means should he en-
| ployed to give additional room for those
| who are at present unable to gain ad
| mittance.
! INSANE ASYLUM AT TOPEKA.
tits noteworthy and lamentable fact,
that the percentage of the insane peo-
| pie compared with our natural growth,
| is increasing, and that the acc0mO1a-
| lions we have today for their care and
maintenance are inadequate to the de-
mand made by the people of the state
! on these institutions One of the larg-
| est appropriations that will have to be
made by the present legislature, is for
| the care of the destitute insane over
| the state, who could not be accommo-
| dated at the Topeka and OsawatoInie
aSylunS. It is not alone the extra cost
| Of keeping these unfortunate people at
| home, compared with the cost of keep
| ing them at the asylum, that enters
| into the argumenut for more room at
| these institutions. 1t is impossible to
give them the same care QrfaS good care
| in their respective counties, as at an
| institution which is peculiarly fitted for
| their reception and maintenance in
many cases, insane people are kept in
| the county poor house, and i'll some
! cases, in the county Jail. The reports
| of institutions of this kind bear me out
| in saying that a large per cent, if plac-
| ed where they have proper medical at
| tendance and pleasant environment, re-
| cover their reason. Not SO large a per
| cent recover when isolated or confined
| with criminals. Hence, 1T is not only
| a matter of economy, but a matter of
! humanity and right, that we should give
| additional room at our state institu-
| tons for the care of this class of people.
| For the present, believe that the asy-
| lums at Topeka and Osawatonie should
| be completed in accordance with the
| specifications of the architect who for
| mulated the plans for their building, but
| it is evident that in the near future,
| another institution will have to be es-
tablished: However, am of
| the opinion that if the two aSylums
| we now have are completed, we can
| tide over until the next session of the
| legislature. 1t might be we'll to make
| arrangements for the future, looking
! to the building of another institution
/ of this kind, SO that if the occasion de-
| nands it, at the next session of the leg
| isluature appropriations could be made
| and the buildings completed as quickly
| as the circumstances and conditions de-
mand.
ASYLUM FOR IDIOTIC AND IMBE-
| GLE YOUTH AT WINFIELD.
| According to the report of the super
| intendent, there are III pupils at pres
| ent in this institution. The object of
| the institution is to care for those who
| through accident or from birth have
| been deprived of the faculties that
| make manhood and womanhood pleas
| ant and useful, not only to themselves
| but to society and civilization. There
| is no more worthy institution in the
| state than this, andwhile it is in great
| measure hoping against hope to at
| tempt to bring them up to a standard
i which will make them useful citizens.
yet this is not valid reason why our
| efforts should be abated or why we
| should fail to do our whole duty in
| their care maintenance and education.
| The last legislature made appropria-
| ton for certain improvements which I
am informed have been completed. There
| are a few recommendations made by
| the superintendent which will need
| your consideration, and would ask for
| the inmates of this institution which