The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-22
Hospitals for the Insane.

"a ~
Nebraska has three hospitals for the in
sane. located at Lincoln, Norfolk and
Hastings, respectively. ! choose to treat
all OF them together and In q gene al
way. They have each been managed IN
a wise. careful and economical manner.
che professional has been OF n
hiGh order and the welfare Of the un.
fortunate wards of tho state confined in
these institutions has been carefully
looked after In all respects. A visit to
any enc Of these institutions cannot but
Impress one with the high professional
ski! and orderly management which char
acterizes It. The welfare OF the inmates
rs improved wherever possible and the ut
most kindnes and gentleness In caring
for them prevails.
A considerable saving has been made in
the expenditures. Some further can
doubtless be made and yet I am inclined
to the view that In these institutions the
minimum expenditures In their mainten-
ance has been very nearly reached. In
caring for the unfortunate insane. II Is
apparent to the ordinary observer that
the necessary employees. as well as on-
GERS OF such an institution. are more mum.
erous than are required In any other
institutional work. The proposition Of re-
ducing expenditures further by q reduc-
ton of salaries has been suggested to me.
l submit It to you for your careful and
~judicious consideration, without recon-
mendation on my part farther han to
say that ! approve Of any effort which
may be made to place all salaries and
wage Of employees OF the state upon q
basis of equality, as near as nay be done.
with reference to the character of the
work to be performed. "The laborer is
worthy of his hire and all servants OF
the state. In whatever capacity employed,
should receive fair n Just compensation
and their services should be the very best
Att - hlo hAnAatlU falthStIlx apd tn
diligently performed.
The management of each of these insti-
tutions has made request for appropria.
lions to provide additional room. Each
Is now crowded to Its utmost capacity and
yet there are q number OF insane persons
being cared for by the different counties
of the state who could be much better
and more economically treated IN state
hospitals. Reasonable provisions should
be made to meet the increasing demands
upon these institutions In the most eco
nomical n compatible with the well
fare OF the unfortunate for whom such
institutions are maintained. II VIII DO OBJ
served that the population of the Hastings
asylum and the Lincoln hospital are
much larger than the Norfolk hospital.
The best results as to economy md efl-
cheney In treatment n management a
be obtained as the population OF these
institutions Increases up to y certain limit.
which as yet has not been reached in
any Of them. In visw OF the fact that
the institution at Norfolk has less room
than either Of the others. 1t seems to
me that II the legislature shall determine
to make appropriations for additional
room and II can be provided for with as
little cost at the Norfolk institution as
elsewhere. II would be advisable to en-
large that institution until Its capacity
has reached $50 to 400 inmates. The sug-
~gestions madeby the superintendent OF the
Lincoln hospital present some features of
economy in the way of procuring addi-
t.onai room with a minimum of expense.
which | submit to you for your careful
consideration.