Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-11-30
From the State Journal of Nov. goth.
Eastern land Western Lunatic Asylums
Meeting of the Commission.

Eastern land Western Lunatic Asylums =
Meeting of the Commission.
The Commission appointed by special Orders
No. PA, Headquarters 1st Military District,
met on the 18th instant, as therein provided,
at the Medical Directors Office, in this city
No quorum present, adjourned to meet Friday
yesterday the 10Th instant.
Upon meeting yesterday, DIR. Francis L.
Striking, Superintendent Western Lunatlc As
YUM, Stanton, Virginia, was elected Chairman;
and DIR. d. r. Brewer. Superintendent Eastern
Secretary. There were present, also, Colonel
John Moore, U. S. A., Medical Director of the
District Major j. C. Covell, Superintendent
Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum. Dr. Z. j.
Delamater, Superintendent Howard Grove
Hospital and j. W. Lewellyn, Esq, of Rich
mond
It was voted to recommend to General Candy
the usual appropriations for the Western and
Eastern Lunatic Asylums, viz: Sixty thou.
sand dollars for each, in addition to the amounts
realized from pay patients, and other sources.
Dumb and Blind Asylum, that the number of
pupils expected this season (l2S) will crowd
that Institution to its utmost; that the cost OF
each will be 300 dollars In currency, as against
200 dollars in gold, which was the average cost
before the war; consequently the permanent
annuity voted by the Legislature before the
war of %, 900 dollars, has proved entirely In
adequate, the amount required annually for
two years past having been $4,000 dollars, and
there is large deficiency of means with which
to meet the pecuniary obligations of the Insti
tuition. Major Covell recommended home
department for the INDECENT and helpless blind,
in which they can be provided for after being
educated. This department should be distinct
from the two scholastic departments in which
the institution is now divided. The "home"
here contemplated is home for life for this
class of inmates, as they will slowly increase
from year to year, since death will be the only
cause operating to diminish their number =
Those selected for inmates of this department
would find occupation in some handicraft EN-
ployment and would occupy the dinlng-rooms,
dormitories, shops, sewing-rooms, &C., along
with other inmates OF the asylum.
Upon Major Covels report, the Commission
voted to recommend to General Candy an ap-
preparation of 81, 500 to meet deficiency in cur
rent expenses for the quarter ending December
3lst, 1869; and $500 for current expenses for
the quarter ending March 3lst, 1870; also $685.
900 be recommended as the annual allowance
in future to that institution.
Dr. Stribling reported that, as Superinten-
dent of the Western Lunatic Asylum, he had
been compelled, owing to its crowded condition,
to refuse admission to one hundred and twenty
four insane persons-81 whites; 43 colored.
DIR. Brewer reported that he had refused ad
mission to the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, for
the same cause, to about forty insane persons,
a majority of them colored aud it is probable
that most of them are at present inmates of
various iails in this State He also stated that
his Institution will accommodate twelve addi
tional patients when Improvements, now In pro-
gress shall have been completed
DR.. Deamater, Surgeon 10 charge OF How
ard Grove Hospital, stated that he has under
his charge, supported by the Freedmen's Bu-
reau, seventy-one insane (colored) patients
From the above reports it is estimated that
there are $50 colored insane, including those at
Howard Grove Hospital, and so white insane
unprovided for by the State of Virginia.
After due consideration the commission re-
recommends, lst That the insane patients now
at the Howard Grove Hospital, who can be
identified as citizens of the State of Virginia, be
supported from the Treasury of the common
wealth. End. That the capacity Of Howard
Grove Hospital be adapted to accommodate the
insane colored not provided for. 3rd That such
changes be made at Howard Grove Hospital as
will adapt it to receive the insane colored now
at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, and that they
the vacancies thereby created at the Eastern
Lunatic Asylum be appropriated for the use of
the white insane now unprovided for.
If these recommendations are adopted, the
Commission estimates that 1000 will be re-
quired for the maintenance. care and transporta-
ton of the colored insane, for the period of six
months, and that $4,000 additional will be re-
CURED for necessary alterations at Towards
Erove HoSniral