The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-04
INSANE AsyIums.
Statement Of nm Escaped LunRtic.
TO THE EDITOR or rur urpArD

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The asylum where was imprisoned 10 Philsdel-
pha and is said TO be Of the best Of class was
clcan and we'll ventilated and many OF the unfortunate
inmates were perhaps better on there than they could
have been at their homea But with all this was an
eye witness constantly occurrences that reminded mo
OF the mannuvres Of The famous master OF Doiheboys
Hail. in "Nichoas Nickeby.n The soft, unc,uous man.
OF the chief officials 10 their visitors and patrons
changed sometimes TO brutal indifference towards
worth while 10 concilate The despotic power with
which these invested, tho strength phy.
power 10 shut up their victim in dark CELL ana prevent
any letter that he writes from ever reaching
its destination and above 81, the power %
seize . man, invoking, n necessary, the aid
OF the police, and thus doprvng that OF The due
course OF Law without which citizens liberty should
be restrained appear to me at least fragrant evils
In civilized community as cannot be tcrbalanced
hospital by the honeycd accents lha, NAV drop from
the lips Of it's superintendent
do not think would Affect the force OF those con.
sdcratons at all II II could be shown that at tho present
time no sane person was imprisoned such nsti,u.
ten the power 10 Cypress would still remain and my
the institution against loss by legal proceedings no
inquiry will be made into the abstract merits Of the case
tcae OF INSANITY. fac patient Is received peaceaby n ne
is quiet but orcbly aud instances have known
cruelty " be persists IN endeavoring TO obtain his
liberty and he is incarccratcd the will OF those who
brought him TO the asylum they pay for Il be viii be
kepunss indeed he be shrewd enough either to escape
TO End some means OF invoking the protection OF the
law But for this state Of things the public is alone to
blame. The keeper Of mad house occupies no env.
able poston-half hotel keeper half turnkey with
enough phianth ropy assumed to hide his harsher
qualities s 10 be expected that he will do nothing 10
inlure the income o. his establishment to take tho
mos. favorable view OF the matter II is the fault OF
the community u he exert his very Questionable, but
formidable authority 90 a. TO infringe upon the rights
Of any OF its citizens But s tho HeRALp Justly re-
marked Friday last those persons who are not insane
are the eas, xey 70 escape because their keepers
pad highly BY Interested relatives herefore much time
N sat eapse before the authorities became cogniyant
that any injustice had been perpeira,ed For myself
am heartily glad 70 Be out OF their clutches, but
sorry TO have had an insight into the sufIcrnaa Of q
most unfortunate class Of noria 10 mayfthereby be
enabled 10 do them any good.
In conclusion, Yet me state that every week nv
asylum was visited by some OF The managers: but felt
70 convinced OF the useIessness Of appealing 70 them
although somewhat brutal attempts were made 70 pre-
vent my obtaining my liberty that I did nos address
them on the subject world have been the old story
OF the circuocuton Office Again--an outpourins
Of benevolent wmpa,hy, and nothing gained bus FER.
baps harsher treatment irou iailoIr