Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-01-20
With the Editors
ONE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE
, SUFFICIENT. Ct
Jamestown Alert.)


, North Dakota, for a new state is al
ready heavily burdened with institu-
tions-educational and otherwise. The
proposition to- create another insane
asylum, to be maintained by the
taxpayers, is not timely or necessary
under the states present financial
condition. If additional room is need
ed for the insane, the Legislature can
provide it far more economically and
fully as we'll for the patients at the
two institutions already in existence
without creating a third. The Grafton
feeble minded institution is now car
ing for about forty patients, trans.
'ferred from the state hospital, and
there is no complaint as to the treat
ment or comforts they receive. If the
legislature wants to provide more
room for patients, it can be done with
Tar less expense at the Jamestown
and Grafton institutions than by e.
'tablishing a new one at some other
locality. ".4e. s..,
The erection of plain, modern ward
buildings at the state hospital ought
TO be secured at a closely estimated
cost Of construction, expensive and
elegant structures, with costly equip.
ment and finish, for ward buildings in
which to house, feed and care for in.
sane patients, or in which to provide
them every comfort and attention they
require. -..f... .
Former legislatures have been lib
eral in appropriations for new build
ings for the state hospital, and no
doubt had good reason to believe that
the money allowed would be ample for
the increase in the number OF insane.
For this purpose the last legislature
appropriated $500, 900 for two large
ward buildings, one a receiving ward,
the other a tuberculosis hospital, Civ.
ing 800, 900 for each building; also
100000 for q ward building for farm
help and for those patients who are
able; to do some work out Of doors.
This last item was vetoed, but the
board of control built the building
Notwithstanding, and it will prove a
valuable addition to the institution.
The last Legislature appropriated for
new Buildings, equipment and repairs
a sum a%ggregating $312,50o, which Is
exclusive Of $1,000 for improvements
to the institution grounds.
Only one Of the two large ward
buildings provided for has been erect
ed. Instead of building the tubercu-
losis hospital. the administration
building has been abandoned for resi-
dence. and office purposes, for which
it has always been used, and has been
n - n1ro,Skn1 into a $,1hnro11oY~ uyorH FIR
men at a cost Of about. $4,000. 1t will
care for about half as many patients
as the large ward building which the
provided for. !
The large hospital building erected
some years ago for the treatment and
of patients is being temper
arily used for an administration build
ing and for officers and employees
quarters. The legislature will there
fore find it absolutely necessary to ap-
pr%opriate money for a new administra-
ton building, for which purpose $685.
600 is asked. H. a.a ii
Ia addition the legislature is asked
for two additional ward. buildings to
take care OF the increase of patients
the next two years, besides other
funds for necessary repairs and equip
ment co.incfdent with the increase of
the asylum population. @e|
Another relief which the legisla-
ture is asked to grant, and which is
Of great Importance, is the request
Of the board to increase the per capita
tax for maintenance of patients, which
is now fixed at SIS per month. With
the increased cost of living this sum
Is not enough, and the superintendent
shows that at least SIS per month
should be allowed for maintenance
from the counties from which the
patients are sent.
With the judicious expenditure OF
the money, which the Legislature will
doubt feel justified in appropriat,
there ought to be no ground, for
the present at least, to create anoth.
er insane asylum for North Dakota.
The maximum population for the
economical care Of patients is yet far
from being reached,