The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-20
County Organization Is Violent
Iy Opposed to Placing Build
ing for Insane Opposite the
County Jail.
APPEAL TO CITIZENS
MADE THROUGH PRESS
Ask Action Taken Before July
5, When the Commissioners
Will Meet to Contract for
the Structure. 49,.

In a communication to the Palla-
dunn by the members of the Wayne
county hoard of charities and correc-
tions, an earnest appeal Is made to
the citizens to yet take some action
which will prevent the county COM
missioners from having an insane
ward built adjacent to the jail. The
commissioners will meet on July 5
and let the contract for this building,
also a contract for the new dining
room, kitchen and boiler room, and
other improvements at the county In
firmary. The appeal is signed by ev-
cry member Of the board and is as fol-
lows:
Boards Statement.
To the Citizens of Wayne County:
It is with sincere regret that we
note the decision of the county COM
missioners to build an insane ward for
men adjoining the county Jail, in di-
rect opposition to the judgment OF
such men as DR.. s. e. Smith. DR.. T.
Henry Davis, Secretary Butler. of the
Board of State Charities and others
whose knowledge and experience In
caring for the insane, certainly makes
their advice worthy of attention.
At a meeting OF the Board of Coun-
ty Charities, held on Friday, the 18th
inst, it was unanimously decided that
a protest at least should be entered
against this unwtse step. At ieast
five, perhaps all OF the six members
of this board are tar payers of Wayne
county Their time and efforts in
behalf of the institutions OF the coun-
ty are given without any remunera-
ton and with no interest outside Of
of the citizens who are taxed for their
support.
At First Favored II.
At first sight, we were in favor of
the erection of building on the
ground. as now proposed, except that
it should contain separate wards for
both men and women. and II practic-
able, third department for the deten-
ton of juvenile offenders. But we
hold ourselves open to conviction, and
always endeavor in such cases to OBJ
tain all the knowledge and advice that
can be secured from those best able
to give it.
knowing as we do the valuable
work and wise judgment of Secretary
Butler, we are sorry indeed, to read
an article in the Evening Item of the
18th inst, commenting the action OF
the commissioners in ignoring the ad'
vice of Mr. Butler and those best
fitted to know the needs of the insane
the most unfortunate of our afflicted
citizens.
II the building is erected, as propos.
ed at an estimated cost Of $4,000. we
shall have accommodation for just six
men. The women are not provided fol
at all
The statement in the article referr
ed to above. that "the accommodation
| for women at the state hospital are
not SO crowded as those for men. and
consequently women patients from
this county do not have to wait sc
long for admission" Is misleading
To the knowledge of the writer, WON
en- have been confined in our county
jail for women for years in one case
until death relieved the patient. I'm
der one observation. this patient
from q mild, fnoffensive condition, be
came, as we believe. of the unfit sur
roundings and the want Of proper
medical attention. became q ravint
maniac.
| Opposed BY Experts
| While it is true that there are a
the present time. but three insan,
women cared for at the county infirm
ary, We may at any time have othel
and more serious cases. Are the citi
zens of Wayne county satisfied tt
stand back, and allow this build
ling of inadequate accommodation
to be erected on q site pronounc
ed unsuitable by DR.. Smith, the bes
authority on the care OF the insane /,
this part Of the country: by Dr. Davis
who has had much experience in thi
4 line and by Mr.. Butler. who has TO
/ years made q study of such matters?
i It may be called detention ward.
4 but In many instances it means TO
years, for life. when the case is incur
i able, AZ In cases Of senile dementia
CONTINUED on Page Seven.)