The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-30
From The Herald's correspondents)

(From The HeraldS Consequently
Provo, April 29-The grand jury came
into court last evening and presented
three more Indictments, TWO charging
felony and one charging a misde-
meanor John Hanson, the party
charged with a misdemeanor, is &C
cused of having treated Perry Green,
an insane person, with wanton sever
ity and cruelty.
The case against ex-Counuy Treasur-
er Evan Wride was ignored as was
three other cases of minor importance
The jury also presented to the court
q report OF its investigations relating
10 the county jail, insane asylum ana
other matters of public concern. The
grand jury. after the report was SUBJ
mitted. were discharged.
In their report tire jurors say they
have presented thirteen indictments
and ignored four cases The county
Jail and state insane asylum were
found to ne in an excellent condition,
but the Provo city jail is pronounced "a
relic of bygone years" and the cree
ton of better building is recon-
mended.
Concerning the insane asylum, the
jury says:
"At the present time there is $4,942.10
due the institution from individuals
and counties. for the maintenance OF
patients, a goodly portion of this is per-
haps not collectable. as 1t has been ac-
cumulating for years. Steps should be
taken by the officers Of the institution
TO collect this amount"
A closer observance of the statutes
il cases where patients are able to pay
for their maintenance is urged upon
the courts.
ASYLUM MANAGEMENT CRITI-
Some severe structures were passed
upon the asylum administration, upon
which subject the report says:
From our Investigations we learn
that during the past two years there
has been more or less contention and
discord existing in the institution be-
tween the present medical Superlnten-
dent and the attendants and employees
This trouble and diScord has not been
confined to one or two individuals, but
has been of a general character, ana
has resulted in unseenly strifes and
recrininations Proper Subordlnation
and discipline has at times been de-
stroyed, and opportunity given for
charges of favoritism and partiality,
and a lack of confidence in the local
management of the institution has
arisen.
eve find from the facts submitted
that there has been in the past and
now are employed in the institution, at
tendants who do not appear to be or
the proper disposition aud temperament
TO perform the work required OF them,
and several of them have been and
are hasty and impetuous in their ac-
tions towards the patients. and have
not, it appears to us, exercised that de-
gree of care which should be exercised
in the management, control and treat
ment of insane persons. We find from
the testimony that at times some OF
the patients, by reason of their hal
lucinations. refuse to take the proper
food and medicine. and that at such
times the attendants. with the approval
of the superintendent, have resorted to
force to compel them to eat or take
medicine instead of resorting TO the
proper tubes and appliances for use on
such occasions. This, in our judgment,
should be corrected, as the testimony
indicates that the results of the force
used has been and is injurious TO the
patients We learn from the testimony
submitted that the medical superinten-
dent has not on ali occasions been
prompt in rendering aid when called
upon by the attendants N charge OF
patients needing his immediate atten-
ton. nor has he been prompt in sup
plying their wants when known. VIC
IatiOns of the rules and regulations
have not been corrected with That de-
gree of firmness and promptitude that
should prevail in an institution of this
kind. 1t further appears thai the dis
cord and trouble which has been prev
alent in the institution has initiated
against the welfare Of the same, and
IT is our Judgment that these conten-
lions should be speedily terminated
We do not presume TO say who is re-
sponsible for this discord, but it IS clear
to us that steps should Immediately be
taken by the proper officers to correct
the evils kere spoken of.