Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-21

III
did two years ago, that the state eth
err make all inmates of the institutions
under it's care wards of lne state and
provide for their support, Transports
ton, clothing and all expenses of care
of every description, including cost of
outbuildings, repairs and betterments,
such purpose, giving the board power
to apportion the same as may be-
deemed necessary, or to provide per
capita appropriation for all the insti-
tutions sufficient to cover all expens-
es. including support, contingent and
repair, clothing and transportation
and outbuildings.
1t is pointed out that under the
first plan it would require the levy of
2ls mill tax. Under the per capita
plan it would require monthly
per capita appropriation, ranging
from Sill to $24 for each institution
the school for the deaf calling for a
per capita of $24, the Cherokee hos
pital SIT, the other hospitals $14, and
the remainder of the institutions be-
low this.
General Appropriations.
General appropriations are asked by
the board as follows: Three hundred
dollars to pay actual expenses of per-
sons from outside the state procured
to read papers at the quarterly con-
ferences of the board and superin-
tendents; $4,000 to pay the per diem
/ and expenses of persons inspecting
the county and private institutions
where insane persons are kept, and
$3.50 to reimburse DR.. Fs M. Powell of
the Glenwood institution for money
paid out in vacating highways through
the states property.
Care of Insane.
In the matter of the care of insane
the board still maintains that such
unfortunates should be wards of the
state and not of the counties. 1t
states that it has been only strength
ened in this belief by the knowledge
which has been derived under the
boards supervision by the last as
sembly. The number of insane in
Iowa hospitals June 80 1901, was g.
010, and in county and private institu-
tons 1,404. The increase during the
period in the state was 242.
/ Want Quick Action.
! Stress is laid upon the necessity of
sending persons who are insane to
the state hospitals for treatment as
soon as the malady is discovered, it
being shown that where such prompt
action is taken a larger per cent of
cases can be cured The board asks
that it be made a penal offense to
bring into Iowa and there abandon
any insane person who is not a resi-
Of hn tot IA nj oh hot
all proper expenses of keeping non
residents and others whose residence
cannot be ascertained and who are
/ found by commissioners of insanity
/ to be insane, be paid from the state
treasury instead OF by the county
where such person is found.
Colony for Epileptcs.
The board again urges the estab
,, lishment of colony for epileptics
stating that there are from $500 tc
, 1000 of this class of unfortunates in
. the entire state. The need of re
formatory for men is urged for sec
! ond time, and a change is asked il
= the law which will provide for the
commitment to the reformatory TO,
j women, girls and women not less thar
II nor more than % years of age. A
present the law limits admission tc
girls over 16 and not under 8 years
f and this class is so small the new in
S stitution has never been opened.
: Minor recommendations.
1 Other minor recommendations are
). made in regard to the parole of in
d mates at the two industrial schools
: the question of guards at the two pen
/ itentiaries touching the transfer of pa
S tients. the escape of prisoners and tn
: question of off1ce-holding at the sol
d diers' home. The board asks that tn
t state architect be given an Office il
the capitol building and furnished will
5 skilled assistants, and that he be re
1 lieved from the duty of preparin!
:, plans and specifications, and making
estimates for the educational institu
e tons.
Against State Carrying Insurance.
Upon the question of the state carry
ing it's own insurance, about whicl
= there has been so much discussion
= the board still adheres to its forme
y position that it is cheaper for tn
= state to build fireproof buildings an
= carry it's own risks than to carry in
= surance. Statistics are submitted
h showing that the value of the proper
:. ty which would be insured, if the pc
g icy of insurance is adopted, is littl
h over $5,9S4.00O The loss to the stat
g by fire since the first building the pen
h Tertiary at FIT. Madison, was occupies
q in 1871, has been a little over 1922, 00(
Il and the loss by wind and hail a trifl
over $4,000.
Losses Heavy.
In the last decade the board say
: the losses by fire have been especial
u heavy. The average value of tn
+ property of the state institutions sui
IS ject to loss by fire was about $4,000
v. 600 during that time. During the sam
- time the losses by fire were over $463
y 600, and by tornadoes over $4,000. Ha
~ all the combustible property of th
- state been kept fully insured durin
~ this period at an average rate of abol
one per cent per annum, or twice thu
for the three years, the cost to tn
state of carrying such insurance woul
4 houa haop co t000 mr. puar k2 O00 les