The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-31
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from Page seven)

are now crowded into space so con-
tracted as To endanger health ana 10
prevent proper treatment.
The responsibility for caring Tor
these unfortunate people restsupon the
state. The state cannot escape IL amy
more than a father can avoid caring
for his children. This condition or ar
fairs ought not 10 be allowed TO exist
and, as soon as possible, these TWO
classes ought TO be separated.
There is one mater ot vital iu port
ance TO the people of the state 10 which
/ respectfully call your attention, and
that is the law prescribing the method
for the commitment and restraint or the
insane of this state. The laws I'm rela-
tion TO this subject In the several states
differ materially, and il is question
yet If the best method has been discoN-
cred. The enactment of the law OF
1893 i'm this state prescribing the judi
cial, or open COURT method, as III IL
called, for the trial and commitment OF
persons alleged insane was radical
departure from the established laws
bearing upon this subject, and i'm It's
execution has been found to be defect
i've expensive, and prejudicial To the
rights and welfare of the alleged IN
sane.
am indebted to Walter w. Wight
man, Esq, agent of the State Charities
and Corrections, for the following in
which is "A part of his report 10 the
state Board of Charities and Correc-
tions, and which, by its permission, |
am enabled TO present to you at this
time Mr.. Wightman, speaking OF this
matter and OF its application, says
Il. 1t is prejudicial to the rights or
the alleged insane, because the pre-
scribed judicial proceeding against the
alleged insane is similar TO that insti-
tuted against supposed criminals, IN
the warrant for the arrest, bringing
into open court. and restraint therein
by officers of the law, and II adjudged
insane in the method of commitment
and conveyance TO the state hospital
for the insane with persons ordered 10
be committed TO the penal institutions
OF this state.
"2. The judicial method is prejudi-
cial to the rights of the alleged insane,
nasmuch as the prevailing trial OF the
alleged insane i'm the district courts is
an eS parte proceeding. The law does
not require the prisoner 10 plead TO the
charge alleged, nor can inquiry be
| made IL the prisoner is represented by
counsel, or has any witnesses To appear
in his behalf
80. Ii is further prejudicial 10 the
rights of the alleged insane i'm that the
! law does not permit of any continuance
! of the case for further observation and
! inquiry as To whether the apparent ana
| alleged insanity is the result of toxic
/ agents, or mental disease. BY this limi-
] tation of the law prescribing the judi
! cial method for the trial OF the alleged
/ insane. many persons are committed To
/ insane hospital that should not be sent
there. Such persons recover, atter
| few days, by the seIf-elimination or
lthe toxic agent. but not soon enough TO
avoid the stigma of having been in
madhouse. which forever leads to
I fstt Of social business
pabilities and obligations.
THE judicial method prescribed by
the laws for the trial and commitment
Of the insane is prejudicial TO the well
fare OF the alleged insane:
81 Because ii compels them in per
| son. 10 come into an open court WIN
! criminals. and endure the degradation
! of such associations: for the largs ma
| iority of the insane are fully conscious
| of their surroundings, and are very
! jealous of any infringement IN their
rights.
80 Because this method prescribed
for the judicial inquiry compels the un-
fortunate alleged insane to listen 10 the
! sworn medical testimony that they are
| insane, require restraint, ana IN some
! cases, in answer TO questions by the
prosecuting officer. that they are incu-
rably insane; and, further, i'm being
| Obliged to listen, as they often do ap-
preciatively, to the .testin ony of their
dearest friends that they consider the
| prisoner TO be insane, and wish him or
| her to be restrained in some hospital
| for the insane.
Again the judicial method for the
disposition of the alleged insane is ex-
pensive, costing the state during the
year 1898, about Sz.oJ).
The defective classes call for more
than passing thought. The state sup
ports at Waverly, Mass. at Baldwins-
vile, Mass. and at Elwyn, Pa, y
feebl-minded children. while at the
state almshouse there are % more.
When the fact is realized that so per
cent of feeble minded children are the
offspring of feeble-minded mothers;
that feeble minded women are more Ii
able To temptation and more prolific in
bearing children than others; 1t VIII be
seen that the subject. though not a
! pleasant one, cannot be solved without
Vigorous action and sufficient OUTLAY 10
seuuester this class of human beings
from the outside world. 1t has been
estimated that a feeble minded person
living TO the age of 80 years (as rule
such persons are healthy and singular
~ free from ailments) will cost the
| state $4,000.
| bring this subject to your attention
| because i'm the very near future II Will
! be necessary 10 make some especial
provision for the care of these unfor-
| tunate persons.
The unusually large number of COM
mitments at the Sockanosset School for
boys. caused by the enforcement OF the
truant laws. makes II imperative AT
this time that additional accommoda
tions and additional facilities In the
matter of workshops be provided. en-
abling the boys sent there to learn some
useful trade.
OF the overcrowding of the short
term men in the state prison and jail
have dwelt somewhat forcibly i'm the
message presented "A year ago. If the
legislature. as individuals, would from
time TO time personally inspect the I'M
stitutions. l ann sure II would be an OBJ
iect lesson 10 them more striking than
the most carefully written arguments
i'm behalf of the necessities of the insti-
| tutionS.
It is the practice at the present tim,
| To send monthly To the chief of police
of the city of Providence a list OF the
persons TO be discharged from tbs
state prison. In my opinion the public
safety requires that this knowledge
should not be confined TO one or two
| .Vi.f,Is hut Whenever "A criminal ls