AN ADDITIONAL INSANE ASYLUM.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the special order, being Mr. Rahm's bill [S. 87] for the location of a new Insane Asylum, and he moved to amend the report of the Committee which proposes to locate a second Asylum at Fort Wayne, by striking out the amendments recommended by the Committee so as to leave the bill as originally introduced. The cities of Elkhart, Richmond, Logansport, South Bend, and probably Peru, will or have made application; the necessity being so great for a location of at least one Asylum, in justice to the people of Evansville their bill should go through on its merits. After the location is made there a bill for a location north can be introduced.
Mr. FOULKE offered a substitute for the amendment to the report of the Committee so as to provide for three new Insane Asylums, to be located at Evansville, Richmond and Logansport. He declared the first duty of the State is to make adequate provision for the insane-and it ought to be immediate. The uniform result has been shown to be better for these helpless beings where they are not brought together in large numbers-300 or 400 at most are as large a number as should be put in one Asylum. We should provide for the accommodation of at least 1,000 more patients in Insane Asylums. He would guarantee them proper treatment as well at Richmond as at any point in the State. It is, among cities corresponding in size, the third in raying the least death rate among all others in the United States. It is wise policy to scatter the State institutions somewhat. Richmond has never yet been favored in this way, and is now willing, by its City Council, to appropriate $25,000 to secure the location of one of these Asylums there.
Mr. CAMPBELL offered a substitute providing for a Commission to consist of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary and Auditor of State and Superintendent of the Insane Asylum to select a location for each of the Asylums, and that the bill be referred to a Special Committee to so amend the bill as proposed.
Mr. VOYLES favored this substitute as the only way to harmonize this matter. It is an easy way to get out of a dilemma; and a Commission may be better able to make a proper election than the General Assembly. He hoped the Senate will send this bill to a Special Committee with instructions similar to that last proposed.
Mr. HILLIGASS also favored the proposition of the Senator from St. Joseph [Mr. Campbell], venturing the assertion there were not less than 100 lobbies seeking the location of these Asylums. He opposed entertaining any pecuniary proposition from any locality for the location of such Asylums. They ought to be spurned and locations made where easy of access and for the health and comfort of these unfortunate people. He was unwilling to favor any but the cottage system. Those bereft of reason should have plenty of daylight, fresh air and sunshine.
Mr. BELL, fearing the building of any Asylum would be endangered, which would be a public calamity, moved to refer the bill to a Special Committee, to report at 2 o'clock, said Committee to consist of Senators Voyles, Campbell, Magee, Rahm, White, Foulke and Bell.
Mr. BROWN has been importuned by his constituents to put in a claim for one of the cities he represents as a location for one of these Asylums, but at the risk of displeasing them he would not endanger the passage of this bill by doing so, although his city is unsurpassed in many advantages by any other location named. This bill had better be passed than to get in a quarrel over locations. Let not this enterprise be imperiled by the tacking onto it a location for any other place, but stand by the original proposition to build one at Evansville.
Mr. MAGEE stated that in sixty days the building at Logansport can be ready for the reception of 300 patients, and if a speedy accommodation of these unfortunates be indeed desired, the Logansport proposition should be accepted at once.
Mr. WHITE opposed the substitute by the Senator from Wayne [Mr. Foulke] because in the northern part of the State there are several cities combining all the advantages of Richmond. No city in the Union, for healthfulness, excels the city of Elkhart. And as far as brick are concerned, no city can furnish as cheap and as good a quality. Then Elkhart will subscribe any reasonable sum of money to secure the location. The northern part of the State is entitled to a State building, and he pressed the claim of the city of Elkhart, which will do as much or more than any city of its size in the State.
Mr. RISTINE referred to a bill providing for Commissioners to be appointed by the Governor to locate a place in the northern and in the southern part of the State which claims his preference, but he was willing to favor the motion to refer to the Select Committee proposed by the Senator from Allen and Whitley [Mr. Bell.]
Mr. BELL feared if this discussion is kept up no location will be made this session. He favored his motion for the consideration of the bill by the Select Committee named in his motion. He believed the Committee could agree on a location in the northern part of the State.
Mr. HENRY favored passing the original bill as introduced. He opposed the tacking on a good bill something not conceded by all as a good measure. He favored making ample provision for the afflicted of the State.
Mr. ADKISON repelled the assumption that there are few who will vote again t a location at Evansville, and believed the first consideration should be as to the health of the location, the second drainage, and the third facilities for reaching the place. He favored an untrammelled Commission to select the location. Peru is the most central point in Northern Indiana, yet no body there seeking the location there. It immediate provision for the insane is desired Logansport is ahead of any other location. He opposed the appointment of a Commission.
page: 227[View Page 227]Mr. WILLARD finds this Senate is but repeating the history often years ago. In 1872 there as introduced a bill for the erection of a Hospital for the incurably insane, which failed to puss after a 100 days session. In the closing days of this session we find ourselves in a similar position. It we are to give relief to a class which has suffered more and suffered longer that any other, we should strip the bill of all but the provisions embraced in it when originally introduced. Only eight or nine days of the working days of this session are left and it should be passed at once. The greatest demand of the State is for the building of an Asylum at once.
Mr FOULKE said that is the very reason he favored the reference of this bill to the Select Committee representing these different interests. He believed such action would facilitate the passage of the bill.
Mr. BROWN moved to add to the motion [Mr. Bell's] that Evansville be selected by said Committee as one of the locations.
Mr. MAGEE believed the sense of the General Assembly that two Insane Asylums shall be built. If the Senate will vote for Evansville simply because a lobby has been here from the beginning of the session urging her claims, he objected. He favored the motion without the addition.
