The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-14
THE PENNSYLVANIA INSANE ASYLUM AGAIN.
Is Omce-Seelking Proof Of Madness f-Appli-
cation for the Discharge Of a Patient C0n-
fined for Twenty Years.
from the PHILADELPHIA Post, Dec. 1871


From the Philadelphia Post Dec. 1871
On Saturday, In the Court or Quarter Sessions be.
fore Judge Ludlow the case OF George w. Draper Vs.
the Insane Asylum came up on hapeas corpus under
the recent act Of Assembly. The writ was taken out
for the purpose OF eectlng the release OF Mr. Draper
from the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane
where he has been confined for nearly twenty years.
Mr.. J. A. Clay, who represented the c0nln.ittee de
luaattoo stated that Mr.. Draper was placed In the
ney, and 40 remained until the fathers DEATH when
regular commission OF lunacy was issued and q
committee appointed, and that the confinement was
by the committee since 1865.
There was some discussion in regard to the causes
for the delays In hearing the case Mr.. Clay stated
that he not responsible for the continuance ex
cept because OF his necessary absence from the city,
and not because OF any desire TO avoid hearing.
Mr. Bidde, for the institution, stated that at all
times the officers were ready to proceed being will
ling to release Mr.. Draper If 1t was decided that he
was OF sane mind.
OF habeas corpus, setting forth that he held by
reason OF the action OF the committee upon the ind
turn alleges that while this is true the reaor is not
OF such unsound mind that he should be restrained
Wnen Mr.. WARMER, the counsel for Mr. Draper
read the traverse, Mr.. Draper said to him. 1.-The
mite found me rheumatic, not lunanc."
Mr.. Warmer then proceeded With his proof, as
follows:-
DIR. KIRKBRIDR.S TESTIMONY.
DR.. Kirkbride aliirmed-I am the principal In
charge Of the Insane Asylum; Mr.. Draper Is IN my
cnarRe; has been SO for nearly twenty years: he
was placed there by his raher he was placed there
at the time and found q form Of dementla, "a weak
ness OF mind; he has been somewhat excited during
the time he has been with US, but never violent
insane man; he has been excited, because in his
manner and conversation he was different from his
proper condition; have no recollection OF any spe
cial occurrence to cause tile excitement; IL has not
been irequent he Is ooedent; his committee pay for
him; before that his father did 1t.
q. You would not apprehend any danger If ne
were released?
A. Under proper guardianship would not;
mean the kind OF care he has had for the last twenty
w on In I'M ma IA xAry trA-
quently, ne has had Judicous attendant with him;
don't know that he has ever gone out without the
attendant.
Judge Ludlow-Doctor Is he at to take care OF
hlmSelfY
oFFfcEsEEKIsa A PROOF or MADNESS.
A. think not; his mental capicity Ii not sum-
cent TO enable him 10 take care OF himself and he
might get into difficulty; there Is no indication OF
exhibited Itself ever since have known hun, and
has not dlMhnished; with every change OF admins
tration he makes application 10 the President or the
United States .and others for an appointment as
Ambassador to England Austria France and other
countries; hts conversation indicates that he has
liberty annoy the authorities with his imporruni.
ties for these appointments; he has the names OF
some Of the most distinguished men In the country
TO these peculiar petitions; have signed some Of
them.
Judge Ludow--Ir this act OF Assembly fs to nave
beneficial effect it should be directed to men who
have been improperly confined, and not to those who
have been decided TO be insane by Jury-not to
those who are filled with wnms de-
Mr.. Warrincr-l don't doubt but this man has q
weakness.
Judge Ludow--Show me that this man is az able
to take care Of himself you or would require OF
q brother, Dont't say to me because ne ID not
ravin0 maniac shall release him. The blood shall
not be upon my skirts. did release one man from
tins asylum ut the insgation OF his counsel because
he did not then appear to be insane, but ten days
afterwards that man jumped into the Delaware and
was drowned. If you cannot make out case OF
man aple TO take care Of himself In the street Will
not discharge hun from the institution.
EXCESSIVE EATERS ARE LUSATICs.
rnnfi II m nv
those IN eating and drinking, which might become q
habit; have known him to commit excuses in eat
ing, but not IN drinking he mas had no opportu.
nity; IL was not at the asylum that he committed
the excuses, but when he into the City with an
attendants and on these occasions II IL reported to
US that he did Indulge IN excuses In eating; have
never seen Hun do anything to- indicate that he
would be destructive to himself or Others.
One OF the nurses NJ the hospital testified that he
had accompanied Mr.. Draper IN mis- visits the city
aud that on the occasion OF the last visit, quite
Gently he went into shops and made purchases for
which he mad no means TO pay; the bills were set.
tied by a brother OF the patient.
A discharged patient from the asylum testified TO
the eccentrictes OF Mr.. Draper; he did not think,
however, that II released he would DO any harm to
himself or'to Others