Clearfield County v. Cameron Tp. Poor D.

Citations

• 135 Pa. 86
• 19 A. 952
• 1890 Pa. LEXIS 1153

Syllabus

<p>1. The act of March 27, 1873, P. L. 54, “ to organize tbe state hospital for the insane at Danville, and provide for the government and management of the same,” is not unconstitutional under § 8, article XI. of the constitution of 1838, prohibiting the enactment of a bill containing more than one subject.</p> <p>2. Section 4 of said act is not unconstitutional as violative of § 6, article ní. of the constitution of 1874, (a) because the parts of the acts referred to therein and made applicable to said hospital were parts of the general laws then existing and relating to ■ the insane, and (b) the act was passed before, the new constitution went into effect.</p> <p>3. The change of the place of the custody of the insane does not change the method and manner of government and control, and all legislation ■ germane to the subject, existing prior to the organization of said asylum, is applicable thereto, -unless repealed by subsequent legislation upon the same subject matter.</p> <p>4. Under § 4, act of April 8, 1861, P. L. 248, extended to said asylum by § 4, act of March 27, 1873, P. L. 55, the township of the legal settlement of a poor person committed to said asylum by the Court of Quarter Sessions, upon an acquittal of a criminal charge by reason of insanity, is liable over to the county for the amount paid for his maintenance.</p> <p>5. An order committing to an asylum one who is acquitted of a criminal offence on the ground of insanity existing at the time of the alleged offence, is not a sentence of the court on the verdict, and an order certifying the township of the legal settlement may be made on due inquiry and notice at a subsequent term thereafter.</p>