Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-28
wApELLo couNTY,s CASE.

Inc 1ollOwlnS editorial, entitled,
"Linn County's Case appears in the
Cedar kapids Gazette. It states Wa
pello county's case SO well that were
the names changed one might think
! it had been written about our own
county asylum for the insane. 1t is to
be hoped that the papers of the state
will consider well the positions of
counties like Wapello and Linn before
they comment upon the system of
county care of the insane:
Before the papers of the state, that
may not have all the information,
begin % disseminate the news that
they are likely to receive from Des
opinion between the county of Linn
and the state, the Gazette would like
! to make an explicit statement for
guidance, as it is supposed that in
their comments they will have the de-
sire to be guided by the facts, and
| that they will not have the desire to
allow the prejudices of the special cor
respondents at the capital color their
! news.
Some years ago the hospitals Tor the
insane were crowded. The state
conceded the point that there were
| many OF the inmates to be classed as
incurable, and set about to find
means for the relief of the hospitals
SO that those afflicted in less de-
gree might receive the treatment that
would restore their reason. Tt was
intimated to the counties that it
would be considered a favor if they
should make provision at home for
the care of the incurable, Linn being
one OF the most populous counties of
| the state and having a large num-
| Der of patients at Independence was
one to which the animation was
given. Acting on the hints thus re-
ceived the supervisors and the people
set about to make the proper provision
and the result is that Linn today owns
a county home, that has cost possibly
100000, and that is equipped with all
modern conveniences. Nothing for the
health and comfort of the unfortunate
has been neglected The provisions
could not have been better had those
for whom they were made been critics
and disposed. to demand the best, All
| that the county believed it should do
it has done. All that the state has sug-
gested should be done has been accom-
plished in due order. If there are sug-
gestions that can be made, the county
is ready to listen to them and to profit
by advice.
1t may be said that the care of the
incurable is better at the county. home
than at the hospitals OF, the state, In
one ward at Independence, the Gazette
is informed, more than one hundred of
the inctrables are accommodated. AT
the county home the most that will be
accommodated in one ward is five. Linn
i L.
ions, In any particular that may be
named the accommodations are as
good here as can be provided any
where. q,
The question is, after having pro.
vided these accommodations at the
suggestion of the state, after having
made the county home the best in
the state, are the people of the county
to allow their investment in the
building and other Improvements to
remain as dead weight and to be-
come an actual loss, while the state
will be compelled to erect other
buildings and provide other accom-
people of this county will be taxed,
along with the people of all the other.
counties, for the new buildings, after
having been taxed for the buildings
OF their own. They have made the
effort to accommodate the state and
believe that the state should now ac-
commodate them.
There are now about thirty incura-
tbles at Independence whom DIR. Hill
thinks would be as well accommodated
in the county home. The county is
ready to receive them. Their dis
charge from the hospital would make
room for that many who might be
treated with some hope of success, and
the state would receive the benefit.
These are the points involved, and the
Gazette asks that the officers of state
Give them proper attention. If they
should do this there will be no doubt
as to the outcome.