Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1904-04-28
The lnebriate Hospital.

We have noticed more criticism of
the legislature for creating the inebri-
ate hospital at Knoxville and the
appropriation therefor than for any
other one act. Time will only demon
strate whether this was wise or not.
We think time will fully vindicate the
measur
Two years ago new departure was
made in legislation and habitual
drunkards were made liable to be
sent to one of the insane hospitals for
confinement. At that time this was re-
garded as an experiment. Its results
are acknowledged to be excellent in
many ways, principal among them
being its restraining influence over the
boozer. 1t helps to awaken him to
the fact that among his personal
rights he must no longer enumerate
the privilege of going on a drunken
spree. He is made cognizant of the
fact that society means to protect
iVocll dSdluSV tilC llulouiiSo VI u vi uhh
ard. If he has manhood in him and
any personal or family pride, he will
try to avoid being restrained in a
state institution. Hundreds of eX-
amples of this restraining influence is
known all over the state where men
have braced up and are leading better
lives, because they were determined to
shun the insane hospital
But keeping inebriates in the insane
hospitals was not satisfactory. They
were different class of patients from
the insane and needed different treat
ment. They were an injury to the in
sane and an injury to the discipline in
the hospitals. There was no adequate
means of guarding them and no au-
thority to make them work and little
chance to give them the treatment they
needed. The managers of these in
situations, the members of the board
of control and the governor all joined
in recommendations that separate
institution be provided, This subjec,
was discussed generally in the press
of the state previous to the meeting o.
the Legislature and public opinion
seemed to be we'll united in favor Of
creating the new institution.
The criticisms we have noticed
against the measure mostly assume
| that it will be a home or q reteat fol
drunkards and that they will be happi
ly cared for and that they will be made
half heroes there. The suggestion il
made that the state had better spent
its money caring for the unfortunate
wives and children that these un
worthless have deserted.
The new institution is not intended
as o resort or home, but as eros!
between a penal and reformation,
institution. 1t is to punish and t.
reform where possible. 1t subject
the patient to regular labor If hi
physical condition will permit of it.
If a portion of these men can be re
stored to lives of industry and re
spectability, and can be put on thei
feet so they will the better provide TO
their families, it may benefit thei
families more than for the state +
give them money direct. Then tn
counties are bound to care for thos
not able to care for themselves, so tn
wives and children of the drunkar
are sure of support. But the stat
should be commended for it's effort t
reclaim the husband and father an
make of him again man capable {
support ng his family.
This is an effort of the state to g
at some of the scource of poverty
Indebtedness and degradation, and
try to prevent it. The success OF TT
new institution will of course SOM
what depend on the character OF az
ministration it starts out with. B'
the fact that it is partly penal an
partly reformatory should, in OF
opinion, be constantly kept in vie
by the management.