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Modern Persecution, or Married Woman's Liabilities

From: Modern Persecution
Creator: Elizabeth P. W. Packard (author)
Date: 1873
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 1  Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13  Figure 14  Figure 15  Figure 16

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Page 106:

2252  

This law well enforced, must necessarily terminate the reign of terror and despotism and introduce the reign of justice and rectitude. I do hope before the next meeting of your Board a concert of action will be instituted, and the law be put into working order, thorough and efficient.

2253  

Respectfully yours, for the oppressed, E. P. W. P.

2254  

After making a faithful report to the Governor of the disposition the Committee had shown to shirk the responsibilities of the law, and Judge Lowe's subsequent verbal committal in its favor, I received the following reply:

2255  

DES MOINES, July 23,1872.

2256  

Mrs. E. P. W. PACKARD,
No. 1496, Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

2257  

RESPECTED MADAME -- The Governor was away from the capital and at Mt. Pleasant, when your letter of July 14th, with enclosures, was received. Upon his return it was laid before him. In reply he directs me to say that your statements will receive due and full consideration.

2258  

The Governor hopes however that your first impressions of the Visiting Committee, or at least one of its members, you will find to be incorrect, and that their official course will be such as to deserve and receive the highest approval.

2259  

Nevertheless, the Governor is determined to the extent of his power and information to secure an enforcement of the Legislative will, as expressed in the "Act to Protect the Insane."

2260  

Your articles have been handed to Mr. Clarkson for insertion in the Register, as requested by you.

2261  

Very respectfully,
WM. H. FLEMING,
Private Secretary.

2262  

While superintending the publication of my book in New York city, I wrote to Governor Carpenter for his picture, to form a part of one of my illustrations, and in reply received the following letter, the perusal of which affords me the cheering gratification of finding that the mode of conducting campaign in Iowa Legislature receives the approval of this most highly-esteemed and worthy man and Governor.

2263  

STATE OF IOWA -- EXCUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
DES MOINES, November 9, 1872.

2264  

Mrs. E. P. W. PACKARD,
211 Skillman Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

2265  

DEAR MADAME -- I enclose you, in compliance with your request, a photograph of myself.

2266  

I think you give me entirely too much credit in reference to my connection with the passage of the "Act to Protect the Insane." The success of that measure was entirely due to your persistent advocacy, and the good judgment with which you presented its merits to the members of the General Assembly.

2267  

I regret not sending this photograph sooner, as your letter of October 7th would imply some haste, but absence from home, and the fact that I had no photograph at hand, is my apology.

2268  

Very truly, yours, G. C. CARPENTER.

2269  

CHAPTER XLV.
An Act to Protect the Insane by Law.

2270  

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That there shall be a Visiting Committee of three, appointed by the Governor, to visit the Insane Asylums of the State at their discretion, with power to send for persons and papers, and to examine witnesses on oath, to ascertain whether any of the inmates are improperly detained in the hospital, or unjustly placed there, and whether the inmates are humanely and kindly treated, with full power to correct any abuses found to exist; and any injury inflicted upon the insane shall be treated as an offense, misdemeanor, or crime, as the like offense would be regarded when inflicted upon any other citizen outside of the Insane Asylums. They shall have power to discharge any attendant or employee, who is found to have been guilty of misdemeanor, meriting such discharge; and in all their trials for misdemeanor, offense, or crime, the testimony of patients shall be taken and considered for what it is worth, and no employee at the Asylum shall be allowed to sit upon any jury before whom these cases are tried. Said committee shall make an annual report to the Governor of the State.

2271  

SEC. 2. The names of this Visiting Committee, and their post-office address shall be kept pasted in every ward in the asylum, and every inmate in the asylum shall be allowed to write, when and what they please to this committee, and to any other person they may choose. Provided, The Superintendent may, if he thinks proper, send letters addressed to other parties, to the Visiting Committee for inspection, before forwarding to the individual addressed. And any member of the committee who shall neglect to heed the calls of the patient to him for protection, when proved to have been needed, shall be deemed unfit for his office and shall be discharged by the Governor.

2272  

SEC. 3. Each and every person confined in any Insane Asylum within the State of Iowa, shall be furnished by the superintendent or party having charge of such person, at least once each week while so confined, with suitable materials for writing, enclosing, sealing, and mailing letters. Provided, they request the same, unless otherwise ordered by the Visiting Committee, which order shall continue in force until countermanded by said committee.

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