The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-01-02
N. c. Insane Asylum.


" Report of the Physician and Superinten-
dent of the Insane Asylum Of North Caro-
lima, for the year ending Nov. 1, 1885,"
The Provisional Governor made it a point
not to interferewith the organization of this
Institution. he re-appointed and continued
the old officers, though nearly all of them had
been violent secessionists. He felt that this
Institution, like the Church of God, should
be exempted from the touch of what might
be regarded as party spirit, though his orders
were to re-organize all the corporations and
place them under the control of the unmis-
takably loyal Union men. But, under the
new order of things, a Board of Supervisors
has been set over the Institution, consisting
of the Governor and five members, all Of
whom but one, including the Governor, may
be regarded as violent and persistent war
men, or the allies and associates of SUCH
The appointment of such Board could not
be otherwise than unacceptable, if not Often
sive to the Union people of the State. But
it is a part of the programme of those who
are now ruling this people. It is based on
the idea that the rebellion was right; that
the national government was wrong in sup
pressing it; and that Union men are not en-
titled to recognition, even in recognizing
the sacred charities of the State, for the rea-
son that they were not " true to the Confed-
eracy."
But notwithstanding all this, the Insane
Asylum is Ia cherished object with us, and we
would sustain it and rejoice at the benefits
conferred by it, no matter under what auspi-
ces. We believe the Superintendent and the
officers under him, have performed their du-
ties we'll under circumstances of the most en-
barrassing nature; and no consideration shall
prevent US from bearing our testimony to
their efficiency and fidelity.
We learn from this Report that the whole
number of patients brought to the Asylum
since its organization, is sos. The number
from other States is 81. The largest num-
Der from any County is from Wake-54. The
next largest numbers are, from Orange 80,
Granville 80, Mecklenburg 90, Rowan 90,
Forsyth 81, New Hanover 10, Chatham IS,
Cabarrus IS, &c.
We learn from table showing the proba-
BILE cause of insanity of those who have
been in the Asylum during the last two
years, that 10 are insane from intemperance,
and II from "The War;" Of the whole
number during the two years, 2s7, the cause
of the insanity of III is unknown. During
the years 1856 and 1866, patients disccharg-
ed including deaths, number 1871 OF these
% have recovered, have much improved,
SO have died, and II have eloped. The
whole number remaining on the list Novem-
Der, 1866, was 165.
Dr. Fisher submits statement showing
the comparative cost of maintaining each
person per week in the principal Insane
Asylums of the United States, in 1855; from
which we learn that the cost of maintaining
patient at the N. G. Insane Asylum is less
than at many of the principal Asylums. The
cost per week at the N. g. Asylum is So 81
per patient. The cost at the Pennsylvania
Hospital for the Insane is IS per week.
The Superintendent makes good exhibit
of the sewing and number of garments mend
ed and made during the year by the pa
tients. The farm and garden products for
the year, at cost of not quite $500, foot up
at fair prices the very respectable sum of
$4,392 60.
DR.. Fisher makes number of valuable
suggestions in his Report in regard to the
management of the Institution. His mind
is evidently thoroughly devoted to his du-
ties, and his zeal and industry as Superin-
tendent are deserving ofmuch commentator.
Nor should allusion to DIR. F. T. Fuller, his
able Assistant, be omitted. DR.. F. has been
connected with the Institution for many
years, and his devotion to duty has become
proverbial. He is, in every respect, most
excellent officer. Mr.. R. K. Terrell, the
faithful Steward for so many years, and who
has recently voluntarily retired, has been
succeeded by Mr.. Jas. II. Moore, whose tact,
industry, and business talent give promise
that he will discharge his duties in the most
satisfactory manner.
While on this subject we would suggest to
our brethren of the press that they send
copy of their weekly issues gratis to the
Asylum, for the benefit of the patients. 1t
will cost them but little, and will be the
means of amusement and information to
many of these unfortunates.
MEssRs EDrroRs.-Nas there been nopro-
vision made for the publication of the Lee.
ture of Hon. q. B. Vance, in the Commons
Hall recentlya No doubt many of the men,
bers of the Legislature would like to take
copies of that admirable lecture home with
| them. Ct.
We agree with our correspondent that its
publication is very desirable, but the impress
sion prevailed that the distinguished author
would be called upon to repeat the Lecture
at various points in the State, and that,
therefore, he would not consent to its publ
cation, at least, until some time since.-Se''-
tinel.