BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. Hamilton's bill [H. R. 206] to provide for the qualification, election and government of the Trustees, Superintendent and other officers and employes of the Indiana Asylums for the blind, deaf and dumb and Hospital for the Insane, their management, etc., was read the third time.
Mr. HAMILTON--This bill is simple, plain, and can easily be comprehended. The crowning feature of it is that it takes these Institutions out of the hands of political parties and provides that they shall be governed by persons chosen from both political parties. You can easily see what can be gained by that. I have seen more or less of the Legislature for the last sixteen years, and I have always heard complaint of these Institutions, it matters not whether they are under the supervision of Democratic or Republican managers, and by passing this bill, we shall avoid all this political gaugle. The Superinendent can not assume control of the Institution without the consent and confirmation of the Governor. The growing demand for what isknown as a Female Department is supplied by this bill. It provides that as far as possible that Department shall be under the charge of women. What more can we expect. If it is possible to put them under the treatment of a lady physician, that will be done. This is a wise measure, and every member ought to vote for it.
The bill failed--yeas, 43; nays, 44.
