Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1887 — COMPLETE REFUTAL. [ARTICLE]

COMPLETE REFUTAL.

REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE INSANE HOSPITAL. [Continued from last ’*eek.] The next charge is that Dr. Harrison, the President of the Board of Trustees, is a bad character. This attack upon Dr. Harrison is, in the opinion of this committee, one of the most infamous outrages ever perpetrated upon a public official. The facts of the case are as follows: In D 77 or 1878 D ’ Harrison was the Superir tendent of Public Schools in Boone county of this State. He had made many political and personal enemies because he was a man of indomitable energy and fearless in the expression of his opinion. Most of these enemies were men in his own profession, and Republican politicians While he was Superintendent of Public Schools charges were preferred against him before the Board of Commissioners, all of whom were Republicans, and after a long and tedious trial and inves.

tigation, running clear back to the boyhood of Dr. Harrison, and involving the examination of many witnesses, he was fully and unanimously acquitted of these charges by said board. The charges embraced such crimes as abortion, drunkenness, dishonesty, and, in the language of one of the witnesses, “everything except murder.” It was also shown that for five years after his acquittal Dr. Harrison remained the County Superintendent of Schools, and, in fact, up to the date when he resigned said office to accept the office he now holds. It is also evident to your committee that the charges against Dr. Harrison are malicious. Some of the witnesses admitted that they were his personal enemies, and a careful reading of all the evidence adduced by t e pr secution reveals the fact that the charges against his personal are supported only by the evidence of either his personal or political enemies, and is much colored by their apparent malice. It is also evident to your committee that the witnesses call’d to impeach

his character before this committee are the same men who instituted the investigation before the Commission re of Boone county, and who employed private counsel out of their pr’vate means to prosecute him upon a charge the trial of which, before a board all of whom were Republicans, resulted in his triumphant vindication. The entire number o» witnesses who testified to his bad character was thirteen, and some of these were shown to be c ininon drunkards, and only two of them weie men of property, standing and inlhienc . On the other hand over forty citizens of Boone county, Republicans and Democrats, including the Mayor of Lebanon, who is a Republican, the Sheriff of the county and, in fact, the leadirg officers of the county, the business men, bankers, merchants, ministers and farmers, all testified that Dr. Ha/rison is a man of sterling worth and of good character; that he is an active and energetic man; th .t he worked for the good of his town and county; that he was a man of strong opinions, and is free in giving expression to his views on all subjects; that he has been faithful in the discharge of his duties as Presi, dent of the Boards of Trustees of the benevolent institutions, and has ably seconded the efforts of the Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane in bringing that institution up to such a high degree of efficiency that it is equaled by but few similar institutions and excelled by none. It is the deliberate opinion of this committee that no man under the fierce light of such an investigation as th’s has been could have presented a better character than Dr Harrison has done.

The next charge made against the institution is in the nature of a ge eral charge. It has in it such items as mismanagement, incompetency of officials, corruption on the part of the management, and other, charges. In regard to the mismanagement of the institution the committee has this to say: That the ins itution is better managed now than it ever has been in its past 'cistory; that it is a better managed institution than* an z like institution that the witi esses who t stifled nad any kno t ledge of. — So far as the incompetency of officials is concerned, it was sh awn that the medical corps are men of high standing, and of character and proficiency : n their profession; that the attendan s are careful and competent; that the Trust es have done everything in their power, so far as the means placed at their disposal would allow, to further the interests of the institution. — Upon the charge of corruption the committee has this to say: that there was absolutely no proof on that point whatever. Not one witness testified to any one fact that would even lead to a supposition that any of the officers of this institution were in anywise corrupt. It was sought to be shown that there were personal relations between Dr. Harrison and John E. Sullivan of a corrupt nature. — There was no evidence upon this point even tending to establish the truth of such a charge. Mr. Sullivan was a furnisher of supplies for this institution. It was . hown overwhelmingly that the contracts he secured for furnishing supplies were all obtained like other contracts, by being the lowest and best bidder; .hat no officers of at institution were undpr a money or personal obligation to him, and that there was no corruption in his dealing whatever with the officers of this institution. It was shown that in several instances Mr. Sullivan furnished butter to this institution that was bad, but it was promptly returned to him and replaced by a good article. In fact we may say this of most all the contractors that furnished supplies to this institution. Very few of them furnished supplies but what had some part of their supplies returned tj them, either because they were below the quality required or because they were not the . ind that were

ordered. It was shown, ho woven that in every instance the proper l quality and kind was furnished iu i 'the place of that returned. The principal witness againtfi Mr. Sullivan was a man by the naxw vs Arthur Jordan. Mr. JoracEv himself testified that uring Laylast year he had had five butfarr contracts with that institution; this t his butter was returned to him ev»>ry one of the five times, his men+ being that this was beeauwa of discrimination against him, bw;i the testimony of other witnessen being overwhelmingly that it wtesbecause his butter was bad IS was also shown that Mr. Jordan was a witness very much prejudiced' against Mr. Sullivan and the Stor - keeper of the institution, and it ts the opinion of this committee that Mr. Jordan’s testimony was large?/ colored by his feeling in this matter. It was charged that in 1882 MSullivan furnished to the Boar ? pr ceding the present one a quantity of butter for which the Board! disallowed his claim, because thia butter was bad, and that the present Board, in the face of that disallowance, allowed the claim ami paid it io him, the amount being $476.25. Your committee is of the opinion that there is sufficient ev- • idence to show that Mi, Sullivan did furnish the butter required th t the butter was used by the institution, and that the presen Board was justified in paying Mr. Sullivan the above amount. It was also charged that boilers -had been furnished for this institution that we *e of an inferior quality, and that they were not sufficient for the use to which they, were put. This charge was not sustained. It was shown that the boilers were patched within a yea? and a half after they were put/in , but it is the opinion of this comv mittee that said patching was ne<— cessary, not because of the inferior qy.alitv of the iron, but because the boiler had been improperly se t hy Henry Stacy, the former Civil Engineer, and that was ths. cause of the injury to the boilers It was shown that the boilers now perform their work satisfactorily.. The evidence against these boilers came from men who were either discharged employes, or men who had a personal grievance to vent against the contractors’who made the boilers, or against t e officials of the institution. It may be proper to add that nearly every witness who complained of the man—agemett of the institution had to admit that some personal grievance was at the bottom of the com plaint, many of such witnesses Bering discharged employes; othershaving some personal grievance against those in authority over them. One or two were former patients at the hospital whose com - petency to testify by reason of their mental condition your com mittee doubts. Others were uu~ - successful competitors for the pa tronage of the institution; and a*k least one has been charged with almost every,crime in the calendar and more than once convicted; so that we deem it proper to say that their testimony must be received with that degree of caution that attaches to such witnesses. The committee further report that since the present I oard cam into power the following improve ments have been made for the benefit of the patients in this institution: The old system of diningrooms has been done away with and general dining-rooms have been established, and this, in the opinion of the officials of the institution, is a very great improvement, and results in a saving of ai least It per cent, of the amount o.€ food necessary to supply said in.— stitution. All liquors and alcoholic drinks have been dispensed with; all instruments of restraint and punishment have been abandoned. Wiaen the weather will? permit, all patients, not incapaci—fated by sickness, a r e given ouU‘£ door ex rcise in charge of their at - tendants. Schools have been

tablished, both in the male and female department; also training schools for the attendants, and regular Sabbath school services have teen established. It is f irther shown that the patients are given every opportunity to write to their friends: they are given books and papers and periodicals to read; they have pastimes and games; they have music and dancing and gymnasium exercises. In fact everything that can be done to divert them is done. Lawn games, such as croquet, foot-ball and base-ball in the summer time are encouraged, The members of the Civil Service Reform Association, Mr. Morton and Mr. Howland, were put upon witness stand and examined by the counsel for the committee, and it was shown in heir examination that they signed their printed report, which was used as a campaign document by the Republican party in the last campaign, without having nersonal knwowledge of the facts stated in that report. It was shown by several witnesses whose names are mentioned in that report that they did not give the information which it is claimed tnat they gave in that report, notably Mr. Francis Burt, of the Brooks Oil Company. He denied in toto the charge which appears upon page nine of that report.— Mr. Roth denied in the face of Mr. Howland’s assertion that he (Mr. Roth) had ever talked to Mr. Howland at all about the institution. — It was shown that the menu ers of that committee, William D. Foulke, Oliver T. Morton and Lewis Howland, had spent in all their investigation not to exceed five hours; that not over two hours of this time was expended upon examination of the records; that the only records they examined was some correspondence and Superintendent’s r sports and ward reports. It is the deliberate opinion of this committee that the Civil Service Reform Association was not all justified in making the report referred to.

The report of William O. Foley, who was appointed as an expert book keeper appointed by the committee to make a full exam!..ation of papers, books, records and contracts of said institution is filed herewith as a part hereof. It appears from said report that the books and recerds of said institution have been neatly and correetly ke. t; that all the funds of said institution have been accounted for and properly managed ;thatthe board have been economical aad prudent in th»ir administration of affairs, and that the papers pertaining to the busiaess of said Institution are properly filed and presented, and that the books, oapers, co ntracts and records are kept in a workman-like and busi-ness-like manner, that the books and vouchers of said institution balance and agree with|those kept by the Au ditor es State.

Your oemmittee reports that this institution is the noblest charity in this State; that the officers connected with it are gentlemen of good character wbo have used every endeavor, so lar as their means w.il allow, to make thia institution efficient and the pride of the State. Some improvements are necessary These have not been m ide simply because the means placed at the command of tue offi cere of tne Institution have been limited We would suggest ffiai t here ought to be built a l irge laun-

dry; that t’.e Institution ought to be securely fenced, and that a more commodious bakery ought to be built. We do not believe the charge I»true that because said Institution has bees run upon a partisan basis its efficiency has been lowered, and no suggestion has been made to this committee by witnesses who were capable of judging, and whose opinion was call ed for. of a system that would be better than the pi event one. The objections made to the present system are slmp'y that the Institution is used for party advantage. Tois is true only in the sense that Democrats alone are employed there; but there is no evidence befoie this committee that the Democrats employed are inefficient, incapable or dishonest; and we do not think tnc mere fact that the employes are Democrats makes a. y difference in the management or efficiency of the institution. In fact, if the emploves were Democrats and Republicans equally divided there would be more danger of political differences and political discussion leading to the inefficiency >t the attendants than there is now. when all are of one political faith. The charge that the Trustees have procured appointments for political favorites without regard to efficiency is not true. The charge that Senators and Representatives recommended appointments is true, but there is no evidence whatever that these appo ntees were not efficient. In fact, Dr. Fletcher testified that they averaged as well as his own, and that he yfus thankful for recommendations of this kind, because it was impossible from his own personal knowledge to make all the appointments necessary and provide sui able men. In con* elusion your committee finds,

1. T at the material charges male by the Civil Service Reform Assorim. tion of Indiana against the manage* meat of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane, except as to the politics of its officers and employee, are false, and ihat their publication to the world was unjust to that institution and manifestly a cowardly and brutal disregard for the public heart which beats so warmly for her unfortunate wards.

2 That while some of the persons conducting tho allet ed civil service reform investigation may have been de.uded into the belief that It was pro hono publico, yet guided by the hand* of adroit and designing politic clans, they were made a “cat’s paw” for the Republican State Central Committee; and their report, made on the eve of the campaign of 1886, was not founded on truth, bnt was made for part.san and corrupt purposes. 3- That the inmates are supplied with good and wholesome food in abundance. 4. The present management is 08yeciJly characterizedhvith a humane and wise regard for the prrsonal camforts of its patients; orueitv «r the appearance of crueity is not tolerated.

5. The patients, their clothing, beds aud bedding; the w.ards, halls and dining rooms are models or purity and cleanlfness. The sanitary co - ditjon- in general, is of a high order of excellence. 6. The barbarous custom of sub* jecting the inmates to mechanical restraints and brutal punishments have been entirely abandoned. 7. Day schools, Sunday schools, theatrical performances, daily out door drills and exercises, lawn games, training schools, musical entertainments and other means of enploying the minds of patients and putting them under pleasant influences have all been established by the present management. 8. The manage nenthas been prudent, honest and economical. The per capita cost of maiutaing patients for the past year is less than ever before.

9. The charge that cholera hogs have been killed and used for food is maliciously false and wholly unsupported by the testimony o. a single witness. There was some evidence that some few hogs out of a drove of about IbO died, presumably, according to some witnesses, from cholera There was little authentic testimony, however, even tending to support this proposition. The testimony of Superintendent Fletcher, Mr. Hunt, the butcher, Mr. Jamison and others, who cut o.en and exam>» ined the hogs which died, all deny that they were afflicted with 3kiolera. The evidence conclusively shows that there never was a hog suffering from any disease slaughtered for use in the Institution. No one of all the witnesses examined pretends to claim x to the contrary 10. It has been charged that maggoty butter was used in the Institus tion. Thia is a sensational aud malicious lie The evidence shows that in October, 1886, butter containing insects was sent to Wards 1, 2 and 3 of the female department; that so soon as this fact was discovered the butter was removed. The above case is the only instance where such butter has ever been placed upon the table of any of the wards, and this was clearly an oversight, corrected as promptly as discovered. 11. The water supply for domestic and fire purposes, by reoeat change* male by the present Board nt Trustees, is now abuEdMt and of a pure quality. 12. Concerning the charge of bad iron in the boilers, the evidence c*hcltioively shows that the iron was

charcoal hammered No. 1, 55 000 ten eile strength, quality, and fully up to contract: that they are now in use and doing good service and capable of withstanding from three to five times the pressure r quired of them. 13. That the books are perfectly kept, an t the finances of the Institution properly ajeouated for. The Committee desires to say that throughout their arduous labor every opportunity for the closer into the books, papers, contracts, method.- and affairs of rhe Institution has been afWrded them oy the mem* bers of the Board of Trustees, Superintendent Fletcher, Dr. Thomas and other officers, all of whom seem ed especially anxious that the investigation should be thorough, searching and final.

The Institution is, at all times, open to the public; and this Committee joins its officers in requesting thut all persons having an interest in its honest, faithful and humane management visit the smile, that they may see an i know Jor themselves. And to the end that the truth of this report may i e verified we invite the several * Beards of County Commissioners of this State to appoint six reputable citizens of their several counties equally divided in politics, to visit ant examine into the management of aid institution, which persons so selected shall have the power and privileges in making such investigation as may be necessary to a full, true and complete finding, and th<* they shall report the facts back