The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-20

Yesterday being the closing day Of the
conference much important business was
transacted.
The plans formulated for bills to be in
troduced at the next General Assembly
were largely the outcome of discussions
at the various round tables. The most
important demand will be for the establish
ment Of village or colony for the treat
ment or epileptics. such as outlined by
Dr. Spratling In his address on Tuesday
evening. 1t is proposed TO have not less
than 500 beds and such an institution would
cost not less than $4,000. The conference
also believes in the colonization of the in
sane. and the Legislature will be asked 10
make provisions for such a plan on small
scale at first, but with the intention or
gradually improving such an institution
1t Is estimated that $4,000 or 100000 will
De needed as beginning. The conference
Will also urge a complete separation OF the
Girls Industrial School and the State
establishment of another State institution.
Inc conference also recommends that the
insane criminals be cared for outside Of the
prisons and reformatories.
JUVENILE CHARITIES.
In the sessions of the round table for
Juvenile charities the idea was expressed
In all of the talks OF child saving and child
work that good early training of proven
ton saves reform in the adult and is
cheaper and best for all concerned. This
Idea was ably discussed by all the speak
ers and plea for better homes for the
unfortunate children was made The dis
crssion on the work of truant officers
brought out the fact that State Factory In
spector McAbee is now preparing a bill
TO present to the Legislature raising the
age OF compulsory attendance in schools
from fourteen TO sixteen years
Free kindergartens received much of the
attention at the city charities round table
discussions. Such institutions. it was point
ed out are places where young minds are
gSen tb beeif first impressions and
acter development are laid. Miss
Carrie Rein. of Evansville said that
within few years the free kindergarten
would be recognized as feature as neces-
sary TO the public school system as the
high school is at present. The Flower Mis-
sion and the Friendly Inn, in this city, were
A great Improvement in the MANAGEMENT
of poor farms and jails was shown by the
speakers who participated in the discus
sons at the county charities round table
The work of handling county Charities has
been systematiZed and tramps have been
completely cut from the township trustees
expense account.
The State charities round table brought
out the fact that some of the Institutions
are IN poor condition. CT. s. Wilson super-
intendent of the School for Blind, said the
school Is laboring under great disadvan-
tages on account of its antiquated buildings
He said the danger of fire was very great
In the present building. He said the present
building might be retained as school
building and separate structures erected
as dormitories. r. o. Johnson said the
conditions were Just as bad at the School
Tor the Dear, where the school was greatly
crowded.
The general subject at the session in the
auditorium yesterday morning was CITY
Charities" William c. Ball. of Terre
Many of the speakers paid attention TO the
organization and erection of local hospitals
ana their maintenance and the greatest in
terest was conferred in the discussion OF
whether or not they should be demonina-
tonal institutions. Sampel NJ Foster of
Fort Wayne made the statement that
by Withholding support from local hos
pitfalls.
LOCAL HOSPITALS.
"A Local Hospital was discussed bv
Marvin Campbell. of South Bend. He told
OF the organization and the maintenance of
local hospitals and their great need. He
showed that fully 80 per cent of the in
mates could not pay for the attention and
relief. He said contributions to hospital
maintenance were the most needed of all
contributions, and that they gave the least
return. The Rev. w. r. Halsted, of In
dianapolis, discussed practically the same
subject in speaking on 1.-The Methodist
Hospital"
Will III. Whitaker, of INDIANAPOLIS. gave
credit to the Indiana Prison Board for the
vast Improvement that has been made i'm
the Indiana prison. He told of the moor
manner In which the prison was conducted
prior to the laws passed in 1896. He said
before the new laws went into effect the
cells were cold in winter and the air foul
Under the present system the cells are
properly heated and ventilated in winter
and cooled in summer He said the grading
of prisoners has brought about great good
and the moral atmosphere of the prison
greatly improved Mr.. Whitaker said he
was strong advocate of nonpartisan man.
agement of prisons and other institutions
and believed the most good can be derived
under such management. He said that under
the old conditions so per cent of the crimi-
nails returned to penitentiaries while under
the new parole system but is per cent re-
turn
ID. j. Terhune, of Linton a member of the
board of managers of the Indiana Reforma
tory, spoke on the great improvements that
have been made in that institution. He re-
ferred to the grading of prisoners, the sys-
tenn of night schools, the introduction of a
wage system, the parole system and other
things that have been productive of great
results in the institution. He also pointed
out the miserable condition of the instit,,
ton under the old system of management
THE Indiana Industrial School for Girls
and WomanS Prison" was the subject Of
Mrs. John b. Elam's paper. She exhibited
some beautifully made dresses that were
made by inmates of the institution. She
said the new systems have done a great
deal of good in the institution She strong
ly advocated the separation of the Girls,
Industrial School from the Woman's Prison.
A number of the delegates visited insti-
tutions in the city yesterday afternoon and
a large number went to Greensburg and
Plainfield to visit the Orphans Home and
the Reform School.