Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-12-30
6eralo of the Qimes.
RHODE ISL AND Err;
NEWPORT:
RepOrt on the Insane Poor.

Report Oh tic lhsdhc IoOr'
The following interesting communca-
ton from the Commissioners Of the Asy-
lum to the electors Of the town, OH the
subject of the Insane Poor now support
cd in that establishment, was received
and read at tie town meeting OH We'd
nesday las; ; and resolution adopted, OH
motion of Governor LAwToN, to author
ize the Commissioners to send such as
they thought proper to the Butler Hos
pital, and to draw on the town for the ex-
pensc. We need not add that this pro-
ceeding of the town meets our hearty ap-
probation, and we doubt not that in the
hands Of the respectable Commissioners
the power confded to them will be exer-
cised with such a reference to the well
fare ofthe Insane I; as well as the best in
terests of the town, as will tend eventual
ly to make such aprovsion permanent.
The report from the Board of Com
missioners which we now subjoin, is un-
derstood to be from the pen of one Of its
most effective members, WILLIAM G.
CozzENs, Esq and places the necessity
and propricty of the measure in its prop
er light.
To The Freemen Of the Tovn oj .Nsrport !:
Considering the universal interest
which pervades the people of our State,
at the present time, upon the completion
and occupancy of that valuable and much
needed Institution, the " Hospital for the
Insane" and the generous and earnest
desire so literally and freely manifested
by the friends Of afflicted humanity in
our own community, the Commissioners
Of the Newport Asylum deem it an i'm
perative duty, as well as a gratifying
privilege, to call upon this meeting of the
Freemen and ask for insiruciions as 10
the course ,phich IL wiH be proper for them
TO take in regard 10 This Jenevolem more
ment. Since this subject has been be-
fore the public, the Commissioners have
not allowed themselves to await the ur-
gent appeal of the Phlanthropist, but
have been making the necessary enqur-
les, to be prepared to furnish the Free
men in Town Meeting assembled, with
all the information that may be desirable );
they have required the attending physi-
clan to furnish them with full report Of
each case, with such particulars as he
could collect, together with his opinion,
az to the prospect Of relief or mitigation
Of their disease, by the benefits Of such
.,yaa Institution. BY that Report we find
,birn here are twenty-six cases Of con-
MT es insanity, at present, under our
care, varyinl. very much IN their nature
and duration-some from two to eight
years standing, some whole life. Six
teen Of these cases he pronounces in
durable one inhrm and harmless and
nine proper subjects for an Insane Hos
pital He further says there are six Of
those pronounced incurable, whose stu
alton would be more comfortable by the
watchful care Of such an Institution.-
Could a part or all of this be done, it
would tend greatly to relieve an Asylum
intended for the poor, from the horrors
and discomforts Of so close an associa-
ton with the raving maniac, improving
the condition Of the poor, and keeping
them from the commingling influence Of
wild and desperate humanity.
The Trustees have advertised the rate
Of board for those sent by the towns Of
this State, at two dollars per week, TO
which must be added the extra expense
of clothing, transportation, &c, &c
The Commissioners do not expect much
can be saved in the expense of our Asy-
Ium, by sending those recommended
therefore, it will be necessary that an ap-
preparation be made to meet the case.
We therefore recommend this matter
10 the Freemen, trusting that their deci-
sion will be in accordance with our duty
10 this unfortunate class Of our fellow
citizens; and that they will so direct
and empower this Board to act in the
present case, and upon all other cases
that may arise from time to time, in rela-
iion to this entire subject, as to insure
general satisfaction.
This valuable Institution, built by the
munificence Of private individuals, and
placed before the people Of this State,
furnished with advantages for the relief
Of human suffering second to none IN
this country, is prepared and always in
readiness to receive and administer prop
er treatment to such Of the citizens Of
this State as may be- so unfortunate as
to be deprived Of their reason, that no
BILE attribute OF our nature and must in
measure be assisted aud sustained by a