INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES.
The House concurrent resolution for the appointment of an Investigating Committee into the management of the Insane Hospital, consisting of three Senators and five Representatives, coming up--
Mr. MENZIES desired a comparative statement of the two systems of management of this Institution, and proposed an amendment requiring the investigation to begin with the 1st of January, 1874.
Mr. LANGDON knew nothing of the foundation of these charges, but saw no necessity for an investigation prior to 1878. At the last session there was an investigation, full and exhaustive, reported by a stenographer, submitted to the General Assembly. Now, why expend more time and more money in going over an old track? A comparison will do no good were either managements good or bad, for it neither will detract from or add to the management for the past two years.
Mr. VAN VORHIS knew of some reasons why this investigation should be made outside of the charges by the public press: it being manifest upon the face of the reports for 1880, that some matters therein should be explained.
He called attention to the mortality rate for the year 1880. The rate for 1880 is nearly 50 per cent. higher than for any other year since 1859: or any year in the history of the Institution. Then the pr cent. of recovery is from 25 to 30 per cent. less than ever in the history of that Institution. It is due to the people that the reasons for this condition of affairs should be inquired into. As has been said, the management of this Hospital has been investigated time and again. He did not desire to avoid investigation at any date. The Senate ought to know the state of faces as they exist now. It makes little difference as to this question whther the reports are true or not, the investigation ought to be had.
Mr. WOOLLEN did not wish to discuss any question that may come up on the discussion of the report of this Investigation Committee. When the proper time comes he hoped to be heard on the present management. The State has never had a more accomplished Superintendent than the one now in charge. He objected to such investigations, except upon a sworn affidavit of some responsible party knowing of mismanagement. He referred to the fact that the members of the Committee, on the part of the House, are said to be in the resolution, while but four names are embraced in the message from the House.
Mr. CHAPMAN entered his emphatic dissent from the statement that the ratio of mortality depends upon the kind of patients the physician has, but rather upon the kind of physician attends the patients. What may form the basis of this investigation he knew not, but as the investigation is resolved upon by one House and likely to be by the other, he can not favor dating the investigation back as proposed.
The amendment would involve an expense that could result in no good to either side of the House or to either management.
Mr. LANGDON, since making the statement a few minutes ago that at the last session of the Legislature there was an investigatfon had, a report of which does not appear in the journals, he has had placed in his hands a copy of the Brevier Legislative Reports of the last General Assembly, in which may be found a majority and minority report from a Joint Committee which fully investigated the affairs of the Insane Asylum.
Mr. MENZIES questioned whether the whole thing should not be voted down, or whether if this thing is of sufficient importance to proceed with an investigation taken down by a short-hand reporter. The investigation should not go back so as to make comparison with the former system. If investigations investigate, let us go into this thing as a serious business. If the present or former management is bad, let the seal of condemnation be placed where it belongs.
The amendment was rejected by yeas, 18; nays, 20.
Mr. LANGDON demanded the previous question, and under its operation the concurrent resolution was adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR makes the Committee on the part of the Senate to consist of Messrs. Shaffer, Bell and Sayre: The Committee on the part of the House being Representatives Berryman, Hinton, Wilson, of Morgan, McCormack and Hargrove.
The House concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee, to investigate and report what, if any, legislation is necessary concerning the inspection and sale of mineral oils, was read and adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR appoints as in said Committee on the part of the Senate Messrs. White and Kramer: The Committee on the part of the House being Representatives Taylor, of LaGrange; Robinson, of Decatur; and Cummins.
The House concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee of Investigation into the management of the House of Refuge at Plainfield, was adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR appointed Messrs. Macartney and Howard as such Commit- page: 120[View Page 120] tee on the part of the Senate: The House Committee being Representatives Wright, O'Brien and Cummins.
