New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-28
AsYLruS F0R THE INSANE.

occurred which have directed the attention of
thinking men to those mysterious places Of
confinement known as Asyums for the Insane
Prominent among these cases may be mem
toned that of Mrs Merritt Of New-Jersey.
who was taken from her husbands house TO be
imprisoned in the Trenton State Asylum. and
that of Mr. Stewart OF Baltimore, who was
dccoycd from the Continental Hotel in Phila-
dcplia and incarceated in DR.. KiIkbride's
establishment, until he managed TO make his
ease known to the Courts OF Justice and Law
was put in operation to set him at liberty.
Another ease is now on trial in Philadelphia.
before Judge Brewster in which an old gen.
tleman, past sixty, who succeeded in escaping
from Dr. Kirl,bridc's at the cost OF broken
Icg-brOken as he climbed over the wall in his
effort to regain his fIcedOm-appeals to Jury
of his fcllOw-eitizens to prevent his being
again seized and imprisoned. On former
occasion, according to the evidence, lie
was forcibly dragged from his homo
by three stalwart policemen, and perhaps
as preparation for the Insane Asylum, shut
up to pass the night at a station-house, in
vermin- haunted cell. The Philadelphia papers,
usually ominOusly silent when required TO men,
ton anything that may cast obloquy upon
powerful local institution, have at last, for very
shame, as it might seem, felt obliged to take
some notice of the proceedings. While the
public stands aghast at some of the disclosures
(such as tearing open .and OBTAINING private
letters, and shutting up some patients in dark
cells, the Asylum keepers are rallying then
retainers and endeayOring to defend their very
exceptionable conduct rs best they may, with
all the pecuniary and social influence at then
command.
The interest which these eases have excited
among the intelligent public, and the manifest
nneasincss caused by few criticisms from the
press among the propretOrs and administrator
of mad houses, show that the arrows not only
struck the target, but are even now quiyerins
in the bull's-eye. Nor need il be thought
astonishing that such simple causes should pro-
duce such important effects when it Is remem'
bered that in calling public attention TO the
manner in which people in this country are con
tined rs lunatics, the keepers of insane asylum
are disMmed of their most effective weapon o.
defense, Secresy. Let the defective laws on thu
subject once be amended. and asylum
for the insane visited with that rigid
scrutiny which is accorded al other places
of incarceration (even at rigid West Point
the examinations are conducted before q board
of visitors chosen from different States of the
Cnion), and then those splendid structures
which rise all over the country for the con-
finement of the so-callcd insane would soon he
curtaed in their fair proportions of dome and
pinnacle and pOrticO, and, like 0thollO, ths
asylum keeper would find his occupation gone
indeed. The really insane. such as it were
dangerous to allow at large, would then be the
only inmates of unprctendiDg but comfortable
houses, while powerful corporations or shrewd
individuals would be deferred by fear of legal
punishment from practicing on the credulity Of
the public. The desire for wealth, not to he
gratIfed in this, would lead men into othei
pursuits, and there would be an end of all this
architectural jugglery which Is now exhibited.
because it would be discovered by conscientious
men that the comparatively small proportion
of bona fdc insane persons was more bene'
fitted by attention To their minds and interior
comforts than by display of splendor IN the
building where they were confined.
As things are at present, however, 1t Is de-
sirable TO impress the risitor TO such an lnstt
tuition, rs much rs possible, favOraby no IL
led through carpeted halls and listens to the
pleasant trickling of fountans-he sees no moro
of the inmates than shrewd officials choose "
permit should any one OF the patients desire
Ia gain his liberty aud escape from this over
pow ering magniicence, or TO communicate ma
desire TO do so to the outer world, promp'
measures will be taken to confne both his per.
son and sentiments within very Iiin''o"
space. OF course the visitor leaves with Ia
vorable impression; he sees nothing oi 's
dark cells, of harmless letters ruthleSsiy .oi"
open and detained; nor does he penetrate in'o
that mysterious system of Misrepresentation W
which inquistiye patients are ingenlouSy '"-
ioled.
Il is in vain to urge that the keepers OIL
many OF these places having liked SALARIES
There il no inducement TO dctain patients I'M
duly. '1e pr6Je dot rirre par PaHtefD As iong a'
there is an empty room OF unoccupleu Wal" III
the establishment, the keeper thereon mas an
indirect interest in filling that ward, OF ina.
room with paying patients. lhat gre"
gain, which, alas seems inherent III lmpefio''
humanity, does not become at all dlhlinisiio"
within the walls of an insane asylum MEN,
for money. will still ncarcerate others uiOusu!
men, for money will still be found TO ACT '"'
ignoble part of jailors. Admitting that many u
the patients in an institution are SO insane as "
make their detention proper; admitting tha'
in many cases, friends and relatives take away
patients when they are well even adm''''ns
that II is To the interests of the officials 0eheFd"g
to treat the patients with kindness, ana tH"'
many have derived benefit from their treat
ment still the appalling fact announced some
time ago in one OF the daily papers, remains !"
n OF Ina al