The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-27
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Considers Requests for ApprOpria.
tions-Other Committee Meetings.


The ways and means committee of the
House was in session last evening until near
ly midnight hearing requests from officers
of state institutions for appropriations. Mrs.
Charles Walker and Miss Roache appeared
in behalf of the Woman's Prison and Girls
Reformatory Mrs. Walker spoke for the
board and made a strong plea for more
liberal action by the Legislature She asked
for the same general appropriation, and
said she had no hopes of having any
thlng outside OF that, as she had appeared
before the committee year after year, but
as they were women nothing had been done
for them She said that the building is
crowded and the bedding is shabby. Some
of the inmates are sleeping two in 2 bed
which was intended to accommodate but
than ever before. She earnestly advocated
separating the two institutions, and urged
that a new woman's prison be erected on
the Michigan road She stated that plans
for such building have been prepared, and
it can be erected for 100000. Her plan is
for the present institution to be called the
Industrial School for Girls" as she says
the stigma of having been in the Reforma-
tory remains with girls through their entire
life She referred to the sending to the
institution of young girls from eight to
twelve years because they were homeless.
They must be thrown with women sent
there for crime and yet there is no relief.
For the Deaf and Dumb Asylum Judge S.
A. Bonner, of Greensburg, one of the
trustees appeared He explained the high
per capita cost OF the INSTITUTION by saying
that it is required to employ. many teach
ePs, and, by reason of the delicate work
must pay higher salaries than the other in
stitutons. He asked $61 900 for maintenance
for this year and S62 500 for next year For
specific appropriations he asked $500 for a
new roof 81 500 for painting $3.50 for paving
and 81 200 for heating. He referred to the
crowded condition of the institution. Some
of the inmates are compelled to sleep in the
garnet. He further recommended that a
home for the superintendent be built outside
the institution to cost s. 900, and said this
would give room for forty more patients.
Superintendent Wilson. of the Blind Asy-
lum asked $4,000 for maintenance, 81 800 for
the Industrial fund, $500 for a library and
s., 500 for repairs. He recommended that fire
escapes should be placed at each corner of
the building to cost not more than $50
each. and that the old board fence be re-
placed with a new iron one. Superintendent
Edenharter, of the Central Hospital for the
Insane, asked for $4,000 for maintenance,
S195,OO0 for specific fund and $4,000 for re-
pairs. He exhibited plans for repairs that
he desires The State Florists Association
pinned flowers on the coat of each member
of the committee and then asked for $500
Mr.. Strong's bill TO appropriate 100000 for
a Governor mansion was indefinitely post
pOned without much consideration. fhe bill
for large appropriations for the Northern
Hospital for the Insane was also indefinitely
postponed.
The committee on education will favorably
report Mr.. Caraways bin for examination
of teachers papers by the State Board OF
Education, although many members Of the
committee viii oppose 1t in the House. Mr..
Sulhvan's bill for the election of county
superintendent by the people, Mr.. Brown S
bill providing a method of paying teachers
and Mr.. Wllliams's bill to teach ocal music
and German will be indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Wilioughby's bill to establish deaf
and dumb asylum at Evansville Was referred
TO the committee on benevolent institutions.
The education committee will hold e special
Meeting early next week To consider the
tfuant-offcer bills. The majority Of the
committee favors abolishlng the office OF
truant officer, but the question which arises
is as to the proper provision 10 be made in
cities and towns.
The committee on organization Of courts