Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-15
The State Institutions.

The bill introduced in the legisla-
ture last week by John j. Hill. chair
man 'of the investigating committee
which has handled the probe in the
matter of the state institutions will
work revolution in these places if
it ever becomes a law. The bill pro-
vides that the control of all the
seventeen state charitable institu-
tons shall be given over to a state
commission of control. to consist of
five persons. Two members shall be
reputable physicians, educated and
skilled in the care of those menatlly
sick. One shall be lawyer of abil-
ity, skill and knowledge The remain
ing two shall be private citizens of
truth, probity, and honor. They shall
each receive a salary of $1,000 per
year with 800 per month for their
travelling expenses. The length of the
term shall be five years, and in the be-
ginning they shall cast lots for the
length of term. the person drawing the
short term being thereby named as
president of the board. The president
shall receive a salary of $500 per
year. The commission shall be ap-
pointed by the governor with the con-
sent of the senate. Not more than
three shall be of any one political
party. They shall have power to ap-
point a state medical inspector, ply
stefan, who shall visit each of the state
hospitals and other institutions for
the insane, and shall report to the COM
mission. The commission must visit
each of the state institutions at least
twice in a year, and shall make care
full investigation of conditions as they
frd them. They shall make an annual
report to the legislature and shall
cause to be kept full and complete
records of the history of each case in
the hospital.
The seven state hospitals shall be
maintained and others provided as the
needs of the state may demand.
The commission shall have full con.
troll over the institutions, which SHALL
however, be under board of man
agers appointed by the governor. The
board of managers shall be appointed
foI term of seven years, and con.
sist of seven members, the term OF
enc member expiring each year. They
shall receive no compensation cave
their necessary expenses 1t shall be
their duty to have general charge OF
the institutions subject to the action
of the board of control
The board of control shall appoint
. for each institution a superintendent
who shall be graduate physician o.
knowledge and skill, with at least five
years of actual experience in caring
for the insane.
The Office Of purchasing steward
who shall purchase all supplies fol
state institutions is created. He shall
maintain offices at Chicago, Spring
field and East st. Louis, where tb
necessary assistants shall be provided
for. The Office of institution trcasur
er is abolished and the superintend
ent is made treasurer. He shall max,
monthly report of the moneys on hand
and shall keep the same deposited il
the bank or banks designated by thu
state auditor. The superintendent |,
placed in control of the employees con
nected with an institution, with power
10 discharge or dismiss those who for
any reason are detrimental to the bes
interests of the state or its wards
Likewise the superintendent must as
sumo the responsibility for the acts o
ali employees and the care of all in
mates. Besides the hospitals for the
insane, the asylum for the feeble