Daily national Democrat., 1858-12-29
aaiIg WatlOual 4emOtrat.
Charitable InstitutiOns-.A few sugges-
tiOns for LEGISLATORS.

CharltaDI6 IHStAtutlOHS~eA lew uSges-
tons for Legislators.
EDIToR DEMOCRAT An economical gov
ernment, consistent with protection, should
be the prominent motive of legislation. That
such legislation was not the design of the
first lawmakers in this State is too apparent
TO need argument or proof; for any man who
will examine the statutes must be convinced
that reptile prudence has been often con-
founded or made synonymous with courage
Gus wisdom. The original idea was, no doubt,
that a country possessed of boundlcss riches,
like California, ought to have a magnificent
government; and as it cost legislators moth
ing to have expansive views, the superstruc-
ture has failed, in many instances, TO fulfill its
intended object Even now there is no such
thing as a settled hospital system and, as a
consequence of this reptile prudence, some
few counties have 20 maintain all of the pau.
pers. The fund that should have been ap-
piled to its legitimate purpose-the support
ofa State Marine Hospital been diver
ted, cut up into little pieces and pa rceled out
in such manner as to be an injury instead o.
benefit. Admitting that the tax on foreign
immigrants is collected legally, yet, derived
from such source, there can be no doubt
that they are the only persons who are enti
tied to be maintained therefrom Any de-
parture from this rule must be a violation Of
their rights; and of this fact the State au-
thorities may become aware the moment the
condition Of the fund attracts general atten-
ton, as was the case at New York in lS47.
1t is imperative that courageous wisdom
should supply or improve deficient Legislation
in this particular before the State is forced
into expensive litigation.
Complaints are rife in regard to the man
agement of the State Insane Asylum. There
is matter connected Herewith that de-
Imands an especial remedy. Under the pres
'ent system the State supports the Asylum !;
but, without canvassiRg the merits of the in
Stitution, or refusing to acknowledge its i'm
portance, i may be permitted to point ont a
difficulty that exists, without offending the
tion. The Asylatn at Stockton is convenient
ofaccess from the Southern counties and to
them the cost Of transportation may be in.
significant But it is otherwise with the
Northern counties; for the cost of delivering
insane persons at the Asylum, from Marys-
vile, amounts to, at least, one hundred and
twenty dollars each-a sum sufficient to prc.
vide everything necessary for their comfort
and maintenance. The expense of transpor-
tation, whatever it is, must fall upon the
counties and form another item to the griev-
Gus taxation. The duty Of the Legislature
seems to plain. If they desire to exercise
courageous uisdom, the establishment of a
northern Asylum for the Insane must be the
evidence But if they consider the subject
entirely beyond their depth, the system, as it
at present exists, may be abolished after
certain date, and one more economical estab-
lished in its place. There is further diff
Guilty which the legislature may as well look
after-the indscriminate sending of persons
to the Asylum for treatment thus making it
a Hospital instead of an Asylum Many who
become tax upon the State are, in conse-
quence of their being foreigners, not entitled
to treatment any where else but in a State
Marine Hospital. This is owing to the care
lessness or ignorance of legislators to make
proper law defining what should constitute
a sufficient residence to enable county officers
to ascertain what particular section should
support, not only the insane but also the
paupers. Until this is done confusion will
be the consequence, more or less, of admission
to hospital or other philanthropic institutions
No county could with reason object to main.
tanning those who may have claim upon its
charity: but to prevent cavil and dispute
which alwas induces neglect, a law must be
made defining residence, and consequently
right to demand care and attention.
BUTTE.