The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-03-05
SANlTARIUM REPORT
LACKED SENSATION
Investigating Committee
Failed 10 Uncover AM
ticipated Scandal

Buln& oonHiNpctk " 'At -
which was printed in Thursday
Leader. is given in full below
Guthrie Okla March 3, 1903
vo the Council and House Of Repre-
sentauves Of the Seventh Legis-
lative Assembly Of the Territory
of Oklahoma Territory.
We. the undersigned, your Joint
committee appointed under House
Concurrent Resolution No. 3. to IN
vestieate the Oklahoma sanitarium az
Norman. do hereby respectfully report
thai we met and organized on the 10Th
DAY of February, 1903, and have con
xinned our sittings from time to time
as we could secure the opportunity
without neglecting our duties in at
tendance upon the sitting of our res
peciive houses. The scope of our in
vestigation has extended tc;
First-The conditions under which
the contract for keeping the insane of
the territory was awarded; whether
OF not the territorial officials charged
with the duty OF awarding such con
tract, and securing its enforcement
had by reason OF their interest in said
company. been in any way influenced
In awarding such contract
Second whether or not such con
tract is belng properly fulfilled by the
Oklahoma Sanitarium company and
whether the inmates of said sanitari-
um are receiving proper care, food,
medical attendance and clothing
We find;
First That the institution is badly
crowded. an effect which is largely
produced by the practice OF the county
boards making this institution the
recipient of patients who ought not
properly to be classed as lunatics,
There Is a large percentage Of decrepit,
helpless and INDECENT persons in this
institution. and II some measure was
resorted tc which would conhne the
benefits OF this institution strictly to
Shc insane class of patients it would
greatly relieve this crowded condi-
zion.
Second-We find the institution
heated by stoves and lighted with com
mon coal oil lamps, and that the water
supply in the building is not suffici-
ent Tor fre protection; and we would
Eccommend that changes should be
nnaiie in regard to the heating and
aisshung. and that a steam heating
service and an electric lighting plant
shonld be installed. and change
should be made in the contract which
vDnsd bring about this result, and
0anse The water supply to be made
ample for fire protection within the
building
Third From our investigation OF
Nhe sanitarium and its conditions and
aHairs. and the general condition and
health OF the inmates we have arrived
al the conclusion that they are now
being kept and cared for as well as
rs practicable under a contract sys
TEN. with the physical conditions at
Sendant thereto, but we desire to rec
nmmend that as soon as practicable
~ome provision should be made where
Dy cur insane may be cared for by th'
Verritory direct. and not by coDtrac
with private individuals or a private
corporation.
Fcnnrth- With reference TO the al
legged Interest OF the Honorable VIII
lam M Jenkins. ex-governor Of th'
territory, and governor at the tim'
said contract was awarded. in th'
. stock or ownership Of stock in the salt
company after a careful investigation
We hnd that he never participated il
benefits Of ownership Of stock bu
did have $40 900 stock placed in escrow
Tor The benefit Of a friend The test
mony hereto attached will disclose hi
connection Herewith
laifih- with reference to the charg
that has been made with more or les
publicity that the secretary of the tel
ritnry has been a stockholder In thi
institution. we have the honor to r.
FER YOU to the testimony Of Docto
MrIairath. Fred c Dolcater, w M
Neal and other witnesses. inciudin
MIR Grimes. himself
SIKH We find that Honorabl
sDannis T. Flynn delegate TO congress
from this territory, was at one tim
the owner OF considerable amount {
This stock. which he bought at hft
ceuts ON the dollar ard soon afte
wards sold Al par.