The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-21
THRILLING WITH A SERIOUS
PROBLEM

Two years ago the antagonizing inter
ests of two rival towns for the location
of another. the fourth, of those great re-
treats for the insane, misnamed hospi-
tails, resulted in a negation. This session
of the legislature they compromised,
united their forces, called in their
auNiliaries from the other state institu-
tfons and have passed through the house
what Is known as the Staples bill, pro-
viding for the erection of "hospttaP,
at Anoka, and the purchase of a site for
another, at some subsequent date. at
Hastings. That the day may not be too
long deferred the Anoka building is to
provide for only 500 inmates. After the
session of 1897 the question was raised
and generally discussed by the press of
the state whether the state had not gone
fan enough with a method that had but
little to commend and much to condemn
1t. and there was hardly any dissent from
the proposition that it had by the papers
that discussed 1t. Not only that. but the
state board of charities and corrections
investigated systems prevailing in other
states and unanimously recommended
the discontinuance of ours and the adon.
ton of the county system for incurables,
restricting the state function to strictly
tspltal treatment. Even the board of
trustees of the hospitals were convinced
that change was needed, but they rec
ommended the colony plan.
Gov Lind gave large space In his IN.
augural to the question. He was not con-
tent with taking the statements of others.
but, before his Inauguration. visited one
OF the county asylums of Wisconsin, in
Vestigated it thoroughly and. knowing
well our own system, strongly commend.
ed to the legislature the adoption of tho
lSconsln system. He said that 'the
dictates of interest and humanity a,ike
VIII compel you to abandon hospital ex
tension IN this state and adopt method
which will be more natural and humane
to the unfortunates, and which will also
utilize such elements of efficiency for
production and self-support as thew nos.
sess-' He called attention to the fact
that, under the county system. while the
humanities, the comforts of the inmates
were not ignored. the economy was far
greater than in our method.
Another feature Of our svsteno nno,
which he laid stress was the iniuc+ios
10 taxpayers that made them support, at
their sole cost, all patients, acute or
chronic, regardless of the question
whether they or those liable for their
support under our laws were able TO baar
the cost or not He pointed ont +bA IN
eVltably demoralizing effect of this. the
mducement to heartless relatives to cast
upon the state dependents who were
merely senile and should be cared for.at
their homes. I'm fact" he said. .it seems
10 me that our present law practically
holds out premium to the counties for
loading down the state with the care and
maintenance of the INDECENT who are
snIierlng from any mental disorder or
weakness in the slightest degree
In this action of the house tha raa,
plooiem' which not only the governor.
but the boards that are brought directly
IN contact with administration of orr In
sane and their care, and large portion
OF the state press, called attention to ;S
entirely ignored and the matter treated
on the low plane of local selfshness and
personal interests. 1t is unworthy of the
mouse OF representatives, and we trust
lhat In the senate the problem will be
considered without regard to the wishes
of the two compromising cities. Sbou,d
seilsh interests, however, prevail there
aiso' we have faith in the earnestness of
'ne governor in the problem, and that he
VIII lay heavy hand upon a scheme
that ignores the interests. both Of ~
iisahe ana Oh the taxpayers of the state