Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-12-13
THE INSANE POOR.

THE INSANE POOR.
was much gratifed to perceive by
some remarks in recent number OF
the Journal, that YOU took a lively in
terest in the cause Of tie Insane Poor,
especially Of our State /; aud hope
that you will not allow your interest in
their behalf to aba,c, until something
eifsc,ual is done, either by State legis-
lation or otherwise, to better their con-
dition. So long rs there existed M IN
sttution within our little State where
insane paupers could be placed and
properly treated, there seemed to be
some excuse for the several towns not
providing more comfortably for that
class, than they have been in the habit
Of doing heretofore. But since the
establishment of so excellent an institu-
ion as the Butler IlcsDltal, there seems
10 be no excuse for the towns persever-
ing in keeping gthis afflicted and afllict-
ing class confined at the asylums for
their poor. Necessity frequently sane
tions conduct under some circumstan-
ces that would be criminal under 9TH
ers. and although the course adopted
by the towns before the erection ofthe
Hospital might be excused by nece.si-
", since that event, the necessity no
longer exists and it becomes criminal
Ii is true that it may come under that
class of criminals which is not to be
reached by the law-slthough of this
fact, am by no means certain-and |
should like very much to see the ques-
tion settled by legal tribunal. If le-
gal redress cannot be obtained for
causing unnecessary suffering to insane
persons, there certainly exists great
anomaly in our institutions. A man
charged with the grossest infraction of
law, is at once acquitted and declared
innocent Of crime, provided it appears
that he was insane at the time of COM
hitting the offence and, yet, had he
been sane and pronounced guilty, the
sentence ofthe law might have caused
him much less suffering than he is made
TO undergo by his fellow townsmen,
for being found guilty Of insanity
Thus crediing crime with the extra
penalty inflicted on misfortune.
We have jails and penitentiaries for
the confinement Of criminals, care is
taken that the accommodation should
be as comfortable as the nature of the
institutions will permit. Now, suppose
the Superintendent Of our Peniteniiary
was to single out (it may be) the very
worst criminal within its walls, and
place him in the depth of winter in an
isolated shed, chain him to rock,
without clothing, and without fire or
artificial heat Of any kind, and there
leave him through long cold winter
TO shiver and writhe in the most dread
full torture would there be no remedy
in law think you. Mr.. Editor, were
the friends (if happily friends there
should be) Of the sufferer should com
mence legal proceedings, for damages
and even were there no remedy by
law, would not such cruel conduct
wake up the very stones in orr streets,
yen, and not in ours only, but such a
cry Of indignation would burst from the
whole length and breadth of the nation
as would of itself rend the chains ofthe
sufferer asunder.
Look well at that picture, Mr.. Edi-
tor, and then compare il with this -
Suppose man to have been born and
to have resided within the limits Of
town in the State of Rhode Island
from infancy to old age, he had always
sustained good character, had labored
assiduously in his calling for the snp-
port Of his family had cveer cherfully
borne his part Of the blrdens of socie-
ty and Of the public had carefully
brought up his children and educated
shem to the best Of his ability: yea, had
watched over them with that yearnlng
tenderness which parents only can ap-
preciate and understand. His young
est child of his old age, blighted from
its birth by disease, irail, weak thing,
and thereby rendered doubly dear, this
helpless child, daughter. Years pas
sed on, misfortunes gather around this
poor mars home, his only son, the
staff .ofhis old age is smitten with death;
Affections come not alone, the moth.
er soon follows to the grave old age
and sorrow have palsied his arm, he
can work no more, the little savings of
life of labor are soon exhausted the
afflicted daughter strives to the utmost
to earn the means of existence for her
dccrepit father regardless Of her own
wants ; day after day, and night after
all, .,,,,l-, ,,o.r,n.es snrrn,y apH