Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1905-10-19

ton asking for state aid should submit
a certified statement of the number OF
free patients provided for and treated
during the preceding three years, it
being his belief that the money SO ap-
propriated should be used for the re-
lief of the sufferings of the states
poor This was so obviously fair and
equitable that the auditor general has
adopted it for the future guidance of
his department.
Backed Even BY Democrats.
One of the most important duties
devolving upon the chairman of the
house appropriations committee is the
preparation of the general appropria-
ton BILL which Is the budget" for
running the state government for the
ensuing two years. When the bill left
Chairman Flummer's hands it carried
appropriations amounting to $16,500,
900. 1t passed the house by unani-
nous vote, not only all of the Republi.
can members voting for it. but Mr..
Greasy, the Democratic leader, and all
of his party associates giving it the
compliment of their support.
The bill was transmitted to the SEN
ate, and was amended there, and upon
It's return to the house for concur ence
it was passed finally without confer
ence.
In this connection Speaker Walton
declared it was the first time within
his knowledge-certainly the first time
for many years-that such a splendid
compliment had been paid by the
house to the ability and impartiaMty
of the chairman of the appropriations
committee.
Free Liquor Barred.
In nothing was the courage and
common sense of Chairman Plummer
more conspicuously illustrated than in
his fearless action in barring all
liquors from the committee rooms and
from the cars on which the committee
made its trips to various institutions
coming under its supervision, and
seeking the financial assistance of the
state. With the private rights or habits
of the committeeman there was no
thought of interference. but the state
purchased no liquor for the appropria-
tions committee last session.
Something tangible was likewise
done for the insane.
In connection with Speaker Walton,
Mr. Plummer conceived the idea of
making appropriations for certain in
sane hospitals for the purpose of re-
lieving the overcrowded condition of
the patients confined therein. Every
one of the state institutions of this
character was visited, the situation
taken in and special appropriations
made for Harrisburg, Danville. and
Norristown. Harrisburg was given
$4,000 for the temporary ward build
ings; Danville $4,000 for five tempo
rary ward buildings, and Norristown.
$4,000 for four temporary ward build
ings. These temporary buildings are
to be Of the most comfortable condi-
ton that it is possible to make them
They will be one story in height, wide
and roomy, with a window at every
cot with amusement room connected,
and with the latest modern sanitary
arrangements.
Cared For Insane Poor.
The appropriations for temporary
buildings are in addition to the apPro-
priations made to the insane hospitals
for permanent improvements looking
TO the more comfortable treatment of
the inmates. For instance, the COM
mittee discovered that at Danville In
sane Hospital the patients were Sleep
Ing on old wooden beds that had been
In use fer years. This hospital was
given $4,000 for the purpose of re-
placing these old wooden beds with
new iron beds, with springs and mat
tresses.
The insane hospital at Warren was
given the sum of $4,000 for the same
purpose. All the other insane hospi-
tails are furnished with the iron beds,
etc.
In addition to the foregoing appro-
priations to the existing insane hospi-
tails there was an appropriation of
$l50.000 for new hospital for the
criminal insane; 100000 for the in
stitution for epileptics located at Spring
City, and 100000 for the new insane
hospital at Allentown.
In all this new benevolent work the
chairman of the committee was the
central figure. He believed and de-
clared that the helpless wards of the
state are entitled to proper care and
humane treatment, and he supported
his belief by vigorous action.
Looked After Consumptives.
During the last session of the legis-
lature Mr. Plummer prepared and in
troduced two bills appropriating $780,
900 for the establishment of two state
camps for the benefit of consumptives