The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-30


and the committee finds that there has been
no extravaganza. AS an instance of this, the
committee cites the fact that an increase
of the cost of meat or the allowance of meat
to each patient in the Northern Insane Hos
pital to the extent of l cent day would
increase the cost of running the institution
1920 year. A similar increase at the Cen
trail Insane Hospital would make an addi-
tional expenditure of $3.50 a year. The COM
mittee will cite these small matters as evil
deuce that the institutions have been OPP
Grated on the most economical plan, as it
was necessary to consider the smallest
tTifes in order to keep within the appro-
priatons The requests which have been
made by the officers to a large extent have
been withdrawn by reason of suggestions
made by members of the committee. and
the amount thus saved from the total sum
requested is about $4,000. The committee
believes that if the money appropriated is
JudiciouSly expended the appropriation
should be made without controversy, and
this detailed statement has been secured
both as q report and with that object in
view. The report will summarize among
the benefits of this plan, first, the informa-
ton as to the expenditure of moneys APP
propriated by the last Legislature is def
mite and every cent of those appropriations
is accounted for by the abstract in the COM
mittee's hands; second, for repairs, esti-
mates as to the smallest Details with ac-
companying blue prints, have been required
third, the effect of a junketing trip which
in the prisons demoralizes the discipline for
two months and which in insane hospitals
disturbs the nervous condition of patients
for days and weeks, is obviated; fourth, the
superintendent have had the satisfaction of
sitting down with the committee and go
ing in detail into the needs of the institu-
tions.
The committee finds that it is much more
pointed and that it is far better than that
large junketing party should go from one
institution to another, spending time enough
in each to demoralize it and learning moth
ing as to the actual needs. The committee
also presents engravings and photographs of
all the institutions and shows, by actual
papers taken from the records, the system
OF procuring goods in each department from
the time of the first requisition to the final
payment, illustrating in detail the methods
of checking off.
INSTITUTION FOR BLIND.
The committee finds that all benevolent
institutions are crowded, but in excellent
condition, considering all things. The Blind
Institute is found crowded and a large sum
is requested for repairs. The committee will
not recommend that a large sum be appro-
priated for that purpose, but that the pres
ent building and grounds be sold ard that
the institution be moved further from the
heart of the city. 1t is estimated that, the
present site is worth $350OOO. There are lag
pupils in this institution. The Deaf and
Dumb Institute is found to be so crowded
that the children are compelled to climb
over each other in order to get to bed. The
committee will recommend that this insti-
tuition and the grounds of 102 acres also be
sold and that 1t be removed further from the
city.
The Girls Reformatory is also found to be
in crowded condition, but If the Women $
Prison moved from that institution
be made a separate institution the congested
condition of the Reformatory will be re-
lieved
The Central Hospital for the Insane is
found to be in a good condition. with the
exception of the mems department. There
are thirty-eight counties in the district and
over 900 patients in the hospital. Within
the district, but outside the hospital, there
are 266 insane in the poorhou5es, sixty-siX
at home and sixteen in jails, or a total of
34S who should be cared for in the institu-
ton. but for whom there is no room The
committee will urge a greater capacity for
this institution and for nearly all others
which are found to be crowded.
The Northern Hospital for the Insane is
found to be crowded and in that district,
but outside of the hospital, there are sixty
one insane in the poorhouses and nine in
jailS There are between five and six hun
dred in the hospital.
The Eastern Hospital for the Insane was
found crowded There are $40 patients in the
institution and Us outside in the district
who should be in the hospital. of the 17S
ninety-one are in poorhouses nine in jails
and seventy-eight at home.
The Southern Hospital for the Insane was
found to contain 462 patients, and in the dis
trict there are eighty men and eighty-three
women for whom room cannot be made.
Many of these cases are very urgent and
about half of them are in poorhouses.
THE CRIMINAL INSANE
The Institution for the Predetermined has
over six hundred patients and is very much
crowded. There are at the present time 21O
on the waiting list, some of whom have been
waiting for over four years. There is no
room for them whatever as the institution
now is. The committee takes up the subject
of criminal insane 1t is estimated that
there are fifteen insane in the State Prison
at Michigan City. three at the Reformatory
and fifteen in the insane hospitals. 1t is
suggested that a separate building be erected
near some of the present hospitals for the
care and confinement of the criminal in
sane. The fifteen insane men in the State
Prison at Michigan City have been locked
in their cells. some of them for eighteen
months, and are only taken from their cells
once a week for a bath. The committee
states that such a condition of affairs should
not be permitted for another year.
The Indiana Reformatory at Jacksonville
is found to have 535 cells for 1852 inmates.
This compels the management to put more
than one in cell and to make 20S sleep in
the corridors. One dollhouse now in use was
has since then been condemned time and
again. The State Board of Charities found
that it was damp. an unhealthy place and a
breeder of tuberculosis These cells are all
occupied and in addition over one hundred
men are sleeping in the corridors of the
building. The committee urges that new
cells should be provided. that this house be
made habitable or torn down
The educational Institutions of the State,
the State University at Bloomington the
State Normal School az Terre Haute and
Purdue University were found in iiourishing
condition and ask for no increase in the
appropriations.
The Soldiers Home, at Lafayette is de-
clared to be credit to the State and Ma
ton. The same applies to the Soldiers and
Sailors Orphans Home. at Knightstown.
and the committee declares that it is like
one great family working for a common
good. The children are educated and made
self-reiant
The Reformatory for Boys. at Plainfield.
was found in good condition and the boys
are taught trades and compelled TO go to
school. They assist largely in the work on
the farms and materially reduce the cost of
maintenance. The appropriations asked are
small. and the committee is of the opinion