Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1907 — THE STEADFAST POLICY OF REPUBLICAN PARTY [ARTICLE]

THE STEADFAST POLICY OF REPUBLICAN PARTY

[Special Correspondence.) * Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 2. —When the Improvements started during the last two Republican administrations are finished, the state of Indiana will have one of the finest systems of educational, penal, correctional and benevoleht

Institutions in the country. In fact, at this time, everything considered, the state has a number of the foremost institutions of the kind in the United States. ; v> y, .

It has been the steadfast policy of the representatives of the Republican party placed here by the people to improve the state Institutions until a very high standard has been attained. With the view to knowing Just how to legislate for these Institutions some Republican members of the legislature a few years ago provided for the ap-' polntment of a commission to visit every Institution bi-enially and to report Just what was needed. The result has been obvious to everyone who has taken any pains to Investigate. The Institutions are being rapidly perfect: ed and are being operated on a minimum basis. Not only are the institutions larger and better equipped, but the cost of maintaining them la proportionately smaller than during the old Democratic regimes when the Institutions were used to strengthen political machines. Now Epileptic Village.

A home for the unfortunate epileptics has been opened near Newcastle where the state is preparing to spend several hnndrbd dollats In building a new Institution. amount sounds colossal, bat it is not in view of the fact that the state is preparing for the care of the unfortunates of future generations. The agltatloirfor « village for epileptics began several years ago. The matter was advanced as rapidly as possible by the Republicans, but no appropriation was made until it was felt that the situation required it and that the state had the money to spare. The reports showing that scores of epileptics had no places to go; that the hospitals for the insane were already overcrowded and that epileptics were living in horrible condition- in county poor farmland Jails, convinced the legislature tSt immediate action was necesssary. '

An appropriation of $150,0001 was made, two years ago. This amount was Increased during the recent session and the institution is now ready to care for the unfortunates. As further evidence of the forethought of the party’s representatives In arranging this Institution, plans are being made giving the inmates of the village opportunity to do out door work in helping raise products for their food. The Institution is said to be a model of the kind. To-Care for Consumptive*. Over fifty sites for the proposed state hospital and farm for consumptives have been offered, but none will be selected until after thorough consideration of the various advantages they have and Just how far they meet the requirements. The state will buy 500 acres of land as a starter. It expects to pay about $32,000 for the site. "The site that combines our wants la the site that will be chosen,"’ said Dr. Moore, member of the commission. “Many of the sites we have visited have one or two or even more of the qualities that we deem essential, but not all of them. One site had good water, hut the elevation is not high enough; another has a good location, good timber and tillable land, but has no water; still a third has every quality except location; a fourth has every quality desired, but Is too expensive for the commission to buy.*" This Institution is expected not only to prove a god-send to the poor, unfortunate cosumptives, but a benefit to the public in general. It will be demonstrated how much can be done In Indiana towards the prevention and cure of consumption.

Many people objected to the experiment on the ground that It Is too expensive, but the statistics published by the state board of health show that the annual cost of consumption In Indiana Is several million dollars. Stringent Criminal Laws. While the tendency of the law Is to give to the or first offender every proper chance to reform and become a good cltlxen, It Is also In accordance with the trend of social affairs that the period of confinement for confirmed criminals is lengthening. Provision was made for the suspension of sentence and release jAadults on probation by the court/Sirhas been heretofore done with children. Os the contrary the term for petit larceny was Increased to maximum sentence of eight years Instead of three years as heretofore. The age of consent wss raised to eighteen r«»rs and Imprisonment for life is the penalty for rape on a girl under twelve years of age. and for a third imprisonment In a penal instititutlon for a felony. Fam* ily desertion Is made a felony punish* able by Imprisonment In the state prison. The court, however, may euspenc sentence, release the prisoner and impose conditions. A law was also passed authorizing the sterilization of defectives and degenerates. This is the first law of this kind ever passed. These measures that the legislature has put Into our hands are splendid tools for proper social advancement If w# but use them aright. The foregoing are only a few of the good laws passed during the ladt leg-. Islature, which many people condemned without knowing what actually was accomplished.