The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-01
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Humane careefor-the insane.
To tha Editor of Tho rcrrnaI

To the Editor Of The Journal.
IA recent, news itemsArYnas the informa-
ton that the commisyl oneEs of one Of the
counties ina neig hbagirg state will make
provision for the cars efAheir sihsane in
the county poorhouse. This faction is
neglected to provide sufficient hospital or
asyluH. sheltersfor than. This IS far bet
ter than to use the convenience Of a Jail
for the accommodations of theses sick peo-
pie; but the time ought to he not far
distant when the useof either poorhouse
or jail for the safekeeping and care Of
the insane will be regarded as an intoler
able offenset which violates the good faith
Of society, and inflicts wrong and, humil
| iatton uponS those WHO arer compelled ITO
accept public aid under such distressing
conditions. 49, 81. 3 4 tsSsatts
The experts Employed BY the state to.
give advice declare that it is important
that the Insane aa be placed Under early
hospital care; but surely every thought
full person must know. that this does not
mean the care which is possible in the
ordinary jail or pOorhouse; and that many
will strive and suffer, in their efforts to
keep insane relatives at home, rather than
accept either Of the alternatives Of Jail
or. poorhouse. ~ The misfortune of insan-
! ity is no respectert Of persons. 1t falls
upon rich and poor alike, and demands
skill and convenience which cannot be
provided by personal resource. The state
as a political entity exists for the very
purpose Of providing this skill and con
! venience, and in many states the duty Is
|enjoined by constitutional requirement
j The newer countissfof Dakota ght-not
l to follow the bad example Of their neigh
|:bors In the older andswealthier counties
i Of Minnesota, which still permit the use
!. OF jails for the temporary care Of the
insane, and thus often imperil the very
4 of aSfo fixo
to be willing to domfcils their insane on
a poor farm, even tho. every convenience
Of comfort and care may be thus pro-
vided.
If the; state, with its greater resource Of
treasure and power to afford scientific
! study and care to- the helpness, iinsane
shamefully neglects it's duty, let any
county which may have ability, provide
la separate home for it's own, pending
their transfer to a state hospital, and un
der no condition permit them to entel
either poorhouse or iailg + Il +''.z. -
Every insane person, regardless o.
financial position, is peculiarly and es
sentially a ward ofsstate care, because O.
), the fact that the skill and convenience
demanded by his need smnst be- provided
Il by public expenditure. II lis manifest,
unjust to tax the family of means !, fo
| the care of the insane members of othe
families, and then require them to pay9i1
addition the cost Of the care of their owl
insane. @1s5
Thus it is that modern, statesmanshi,
has assumed the burden Of caring for al
the insane as proper charge upon tn
public treasury. 49, -. .....
Relatives of3insane persons should stan,
' upon their rights, and when the stat
. refuses hospital care, insist upon some
/, thing better than the hospitality of ja]
: or poorhouse for their afflicted ones. . :
t Statesmen will come to their sense
i when public sentiment is properly arouse
t over the: indignities, permitted in the pub
3 lie treatment of these helpless wards @
: society and surely the present 8 genera
r ton ought to be ambitious to share in tn
= credit Of the coming, refofm. =
t c. e. Faulkner