The advocate., 1897-01-20

Tor themselves, ana are placed IN the lnStitu-
tions Of our state as wards OF the state.
visiting board for all the charitable, educa-
tional and penal institutions Of the state, with
power TO come and go, and report abuses to the
governor, would be q good thing Several
states have adopted this system Of supervision
Of the different institutions, In order to guard
against the treatment often accorded inmates
by the negligence OF the oficials In charge.
would be pleased 10 cooperate with you
along these lines In order TO more fully protect
our unfortunates than under the present law,
where the board Of charities goes on specified
date TO visit these institutions, and has no
chance to obtain knowledge as 20 the exact
conditions Of the inmates when not present,
and the treatment accorded them by the en-
ployes Of the institution.
have been handed the tenth biennial report
OF the board Of trustees of the charitable insti-
tutions which, In addition to the information
have already received, gives me the basis for
the recommendations which shall make for
the different institutions; however, there are
several OF them, and their wants are many. 1t
is O custom for the committees Of the two
houses on penal and charitable institutions to
visit, during the session Of the legislature, the
different state institutions and report their
conditions and wants to their respective bodies
and would esteem 1t favor If any suggestions
they might see proper to make to the two
houses, be also made to me, for, Of all the re-
sponsibilities 1 am charged with by the suf-
frage Of the people Of this state, none appeals
more deeply to me than the welfare Of the in
mates OF these institutions.
Insane Asylum at OsawatOmIe.
AT the last session Of the legislature, appro-
priations were made for the rebuilding Of the
central building at this institution, erection Of
boiler house, electric light plant, and several
minor improvements These improvements
have oil been made, yet, from the reports Of
the superintendent of this institution, find
that there are several matters that need your
consideration. The principal one is, that the
property has sustained serious damage which
demands repairs, and unless these are accom-
pllshed at the earliest possible moment great
injury will be done the institution. Not having
had an opportunity to visit and make O personal
examination Of this matter, I would call the
attention Of your committees who visit the diff
ferent state institutions to this report 1t would
not only be >neglectful, 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 new
laundry building be given the institution. One
Of the strongest pleas is that the present laun-
dry building Is detrimental to the health Of the
institution, owing to its lack Of sanitary ar
rangementS. It Is said to be q standing menace,
constantly increasing the risk Of the institu-
tion being destroyed by fire. Several times
during the last few years the public mind nnd
conscience have been disturbed by awful re-
ports OF the burning Of institutions of this kind.
Often the helpless inmates we're cremated, and
horrible scenes have been enacted. believe 1t
our duty TO do oil In our power to protect our
state institutions from the elements, and If
upon investigation the complaints made are
valid believe 1t would be proper and right to
grant the request While we are pledged to
economy, we are not pledged to that economy
which risks not alone the states property, but
the lives Of our fellow-beings This institution,
like the Topeka insane asylum, is overCrowded,
and every possible means should be employed
to give additional room for those who are at
present unable to gain admittance
Insane Asylum at Topeka.
It Is q noteworthy and lamentable fact that
the percentage Of the insane people, compared
with our natural growth, is increasing and
that the accommodations we have to-day for
their care and maintenance are inadequate to
the demand made by the people Of the state on
OAOSC AiobAbublOuSs OlC VI JLlC uABSSp
ations that viii have to be made by the present
Legislature Is for the care OF the destitute in
sane over the state, who could not be accommo-
dated at the Topeka and OsawatOmie asylums.
1t is not alone the extra cost of keeping these
unfortunate people at home, compared with the
cost OF keeping them ut the asylum, that enters
into the argument for more room ut these insti-
tutions, It is impossible to give them the
same care or as 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 in some cases
In the county jail The reports
Of institutions OF this kind bear me out in say
ing that large per cent, If placed where they
have proper medical attendance and pleasant
environment, recover their reason. Not sc
large per cent recover when isolated or con-
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