Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-24


Letting Delegates to the Buchanan Conve,l-
ton, and other purposes.
15-1n the report of the able and yigilant
Auditor of Public Accounts, which is pub
lished in this paper, an allusion is made to
the Lunatic Hospitals of the State, which,
we fear, is calculated to make an erroneous
and injurious impression on the public mind
in regard to their management, so far at least
as the one at this place is concerned
The Auditor remarks that, 'snotwithstand-
ing the liberal appropriations made by the
Legislature to enlarge the Lunatic Hospitals,
and although the appropriations made by the
last General Assembly for the support of the
patients confined therein were larger than in
any year preceding, the number of that class
of unfortunate beings confined in the county
jails has continued to increase, with cores
pondng increase in the expense of maintain
ing Them"
We beg to offer word or two of explana-
tion.-The additional building authorized to
be erected at the institution here, remains to
this day in an unfinished state, owing to
the failure of the last Legislature to make the
appropriation asked for its completion-But
for this, it might have been in use months
ago. Its spacious and elegant building,
in conformity with the plan of extension as
laid down by the original architects COW
cred with tin, and combines all the modern
m 70
| agement-such as furnaces to warm it by
heated air, water closets, &c.,-as we'll as to
secure its safety from fire. When completed,
1t will accommodate about sixty patients, and
we doubt whether the same amount of accom-
mediation could have been obtained for less
expenditure on any other plan.
As to the increased appropriations for the
support the Hospitals by the last Legsla-
ture, large portion of that bestowed on the
institution here was to discharge debt
which had been gradually increasing through
years upon it, owing to the inadequacy of
former appropriations. Besides this, there
are now in the institution considerable num-
Der ofpay patients, from the weather. classes,
who require more costly provisions for their
support. These, therefore, while they tend
10 swell the expenditures of the institution,
give no ground for the charge of extraya-
gance, because they bring an ample return
to the State.
AS to the changes suggested by the Audi
ter in regard to the appointment and organi-
~ fion of ha
tic Hospitals, we think it highly probable
they might prove advantageous. The Direc-
tors here, we are satisfied, discharge their du-
~ with as much fidelity as any body of men
could be expected to do without compensation,
considering the amount of time and labor re-
CURED and we are truly gratified to say that
they have done much, within the present year,
,osecure greater efficiency and economy in the
management of the institution. Still, it is
impossible that thirteen men can give to its
interests that constant care and attention which
they demand. Their very number is him
dfancc to proper unity and efficiency of ac-
ton.
We could wish that the House of Dele
gates, in these holiday times, when they have
not much to do, would send up a numerous
committee Of their own body to examine our
institution. No doubt it would be worth to
the State all it would cost. We should like
members to see for themselves how the insti-
tuition is conducted, and we promise them, if
they come, most agreeable treat There are
now in the asylum several very interesting
patients ready to be discharged; and could
they be among them, and see the order and
comfort which prevails throughout the nsti-
tuition, and hear their expressions of heart felt
gratitude for their timely deliverauce from the
horrors of insanity, we doubt not they would
return to their duties with quickened and
expanded zeal in behalf Of this noble charity
Of our State.
u A work on '!Criminal Law and the
Practical duties Of Justices of the Peace in
Virginia. prepared by the late Professor
Davis, of the University, has been brought to