ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
Mr. Branham obtained leave to return from the Committee on Benevolent Institutions, his bill [H. R 508] to make further provisions for the care and treatment of the insane of the State, with Amendments: in section one so as to make the location north of the parallel of Indianapolis; in section 5 the word "donations" be stricken out. And further amend so as to read: "Not less than eighty or more than 160 acres." All salaries to be approved by the Board of Control; all expenditures of the institution to be under the supervision of the Board of Control of the Auditor, Secretary and Treasurer of State: and it appropriates $50,000 for the year ending October, '73, and $350,000 for the year ending October, '74not to be drawn without the advice and concurrence of the Governor. The yearly allowance of the (two) commissioners shall be the same with the commissioners for the Hospital for the Insane.
Mr. Furnas opposed the proposition. It would be more expensive to have two sets of officers.
Mr. Heller. The two sets of officials would not amount to so much as the expenses of patients' travel back and forth to the more distant hospital.
Mr. Branham. The committee have already reported for the enlargement of the Insane Hospital here to the extreme limit to which it can be economically done. The committee also weighed carefully the question of location. The provisions of the bill leave it with the officers to make the location untrammeled, except that it shall go north of Indianapolis. It is due to the people of the State that these institutions which absorb so much revenue should be distributed for the convenience of the people. There was another matter that had weight with the committee. It is certain that 75 per cent. of the entire revenue of the State is expended in Marion county, and certainly no more than that should be put in here, unless the public necessity requires it, for such a course would make it sometimes, perhaps, difficult to obtain the requisite appropriations for the benevolent institutions. Then the statistics show that the care of the insane is proportionately greater in the northern part of the State.
Mr. Butterworth advocated the northern location, for convenience and economy of the going and coming of patients and their friends.
Mr. Cobb. We have more people, and we pay more taxes and fines in the north than any other part of the State.
Mr. Givan. Does the payment of taxes make people crazy?
Mr. Branham. I think so; if you keep on at this rate.
The amendments reported were then adopted, and the bill, as amended, was ordered to the engrossment.
