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The power of discharge belongs to and is exercised by the medical super- intendent, and his action is reported to the board of trustees. From the action of the medical superintendent there is no appeal. Violation of regu- lations, use of intoxicants, immoral conduct, incompetency, and neglect of duty are causes for removal.
These replies doubtless represent fairly the conditions existing in the institutions of the state, though there may be some variation in the practical execution of the rules. We were personally informed by the assistant superintendent of one institution that political influence had "everything to do with appointments" to subordinate places. We can hardly believe that these words mean all that they appear to, but when the trustees and superintendents are not sincere believers in non-partisan management, they will, of course, fail to execute it in an ideal manner.
Local sentiment on the subject. — The sentiment in favor of non- partisan management of these institutions has undoubtedly advanced greatly in Indiana within the past decade. It is nothing short of remarkable. Those now in control of the state institutions are, in the main, in thorough sympathy with the movement. The effort of some political leaders to restore the old conditions met with vigorous protests two years ago, from so numerous and from such influential quarters that the effort was quickly abandoned. Dr. Jos. D. Rogers, superintendent of the Northern Indiana Hospital for Insane, who has been for nearly twenty years continuously connected with some one of the hospitals of the state, and who therefore has been the witness of the change that has occurred, writes :
The policy above referred to has very general indorsement in all classes of society, and the more influential party leaders uniformly express satisfac- tion in being exempt from the responsibility of partisan management of such institutions.
The Indianapolis News of September 6, 1897, in commenting on the rules adopted by the Institution for the Deaf to insure and promote the merit sys- tem, said : " In a word, the institute is conducted on purely business princi- ples, without any relation whatever to politics. It has taken many years and many bitter experiences to bring the state institutions up to this high level. Ten years ago the partisan system was in full tide .... It will be impos- sible ever to revert to the old system .... The people, too, have got hold of the principle that these institutions should be managed for the sole benefit of the inmates .... It is a step that will not be retraced. The progress is both real and permanent."
The superintendent of the Eastern Hospital writes : " The local press and influential citizens, without regard to party, support the
