The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-15
BOARD OF CHARITIES
OvERCROWDED CONDITIONS OF THE
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Problems for the Legislature to Solve
-Immigration Question
Discussed.

The Board of State Charities and Correc-
tons had long session yesterday, not fin
fishing its deliberations until o'clock p.
m. The members present were Governor
Mount, Timothy Nicholson, of Richmond;
Thomas z. Ellison, of Fort Wayne; John
r. Elder. Dr. Mary Sphinx and Secretary
Amos W. Butler, of this city.
There was long discussion of the condi-
ton of the benevolent and correctional in
stitutions of the State and the facts stated
in connection with them show that some
thing must be done to relieve them of their
overcrowded condition. Prisoners sleep
ing in the corridors of the South Indiana
Reformatory at Jeffersonville. The School
for Predetermined Youths is not only over
crowded, but it is necessary to refuse adj
mission to scores of feeble-minded chill
dren who are in the county poor farms and
which, under the law, ought to be sent to
the institution, but as there is no room for
them they must remain in the places the
law of the last Legislature was intended to
have them removed from The management
of the hospitals for the insane are compelled
to refuse applications for admission. as
there is not enough room. Indianapolis is
fortunate in being permitted to discharge
incurable persons who are not violently IN
sane, but no one knows at what time they
may become dangerous. By being allowed
to discharge some of it's incurable patients
the Indianapolis hospital can receive others,
although not as rapidly as applicable are
received. There was some discussion of 60
ing to the Legislature for money to enlarge
the institutions to provide for the depend
ents who must be looked after.
There was an interesting discussion of the
immigration problem. While Mr.. Butler and
Mr. Elder were in New York they visited
the barge Office and received much informa-
ton with reference to the influx of foreign
ers who are likely to become charges on
the State. The officials of the barge office
spoke of Senator F'airbankss immigration
bill with favor, especially the feature which
excludes those who might be expected to
become burden the States to which
they are sent. Secretary Butler was directed
by the board to send letter to Mr.. Fair
banks commencing his measure. Mr.. Butler
learned that under the present law per-
sons who become a charge on the State, be-
come insane or otherwise dependent, can be
sent home by the United States within
year Mr.. Fairbankss bill extends the time
two years Some States have laws by which
dependents can be sent home when they re-
side outside of that State. but Indiana has
no such law. Neither is there any law to
prevent agencies in other States, like that
in Cincinnati, from sending orphan children
into homes that should be filled with In
diana children. In many cases the children
become in short time dependent and have
TO be cared for by the authorities. Some
States prohibit the placing of foreign chill
drein in homes within their borders unless
the State shall never be burdened. 1t was
the opinion of the board that Indiana needs
such a law.
Since the board visited and reported on
the condition of the Northern Prison at
Michigan City, some, new rules have been
adopted. The board commended the new
rules as being of character to correct
some things that were considered objection
able and as a step in the way of increasing
the efficiency of the prison.
There was informal talk over the conven-
tion of the National Prison Association
which is to meet here in October. President
Brockway,. superintendent of the Elmira
Reformatory New York; will preside He
is considered the greatest authority on
prison methods. After the prison convention
comes the State Charities convention in
November. John H. Holiday has been made
chairman of the local committee to arrange
for the convention. AT ii all subjects of
benevolent and correctional character will
be discussed and it is probable that out of
it will grow suggestions for needed legislat
ton. Informal reports were made of visits
TO the state institution of California by MI
Nicholson, and OF visits to the Eastern ir-
situations by Mr.. Butler.