Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-08-03
Ae0ARp
" THE WASHINGTON ASYIUN


Editor StGr:-Yuu will kindly allow me spsca in
5eHr paper Tor the purpose of defending my self
seanst certain parties who attempt TO bring my si
nilhistratle Of the Affairs of tue ashington Asy
lnm, Tor the last two years. into contempt This
attempt seems to be made in part by parties VIII
Years, and tbs they tried to bias the public mind
anst the IN charge of that institution. But
pf9Sd 70 say the courts sustained and fully vim
have noticed that great deal has been said since
Joeph 1ns e. Of .Ss %
5s,on ,ylum, and hayiDg no wish to inJure Mr..
far kept quiet on The sasject but QUIET win No longer
answer For although did not notice tbs article in
Gle in the Sunday H,yaa Of July 81 $50 TO pass IN
noticed which says, "The Asylum cost the clrpora-
allowed 70 60 to ruin without any attention or seen
ing care 70 PTeseryeit The grounds have been neg
urser s.y an' energy and n
for the the S6W n work
This may be the case, for know it was nv only wish
10 of 4a those RoSr and to see them
rerTed it rbsr ay aSa The
MIL, II possible, put il npon self su staining basis
no nov mr Editor if yon viii examine the report of
the year ending June Soth; lo, will find S2j92
sppr.priatsd for the Washington Asylum; you will
also md the farm only yielded Ss53 20. You will
aIs9 hnd that during the thirteen months OF Mr..
!Hodgson's ADMINISTRATION; under Mayor wailach,
~ cost 81 go "a, besides the enormous expense OF
putting in the water pipes and fixtures. which hsve
n n been 81 any rs. benefit the Dlaes but have
ming the report for the year ending june 2.th 1869,
Ga 1se Of the place for TIE year Isl were
the year ~ and IS to be sos 47 II; and in the
u B. thor S
slowing clear saving to the tax payers OF e25 e 81
Mr. HOdeson Only received from resetabes for the
year ending 1861 $3.50 81 with bis eerience, and
period of time, notw outstanding all my weeds and
wan, OF care Now for improvements.
when took charge there was no fencing around
g., bat.n a An Aft
o. si,im made and approved for the removal of and
new and repairing the old around the Asy luui
s1ounds ne work to be under the direction Of the
object in referring to the above spprs priation i,
to show that what be asks for now, he asked then
ever do in the Of .uttng up the fence and time
passed on. ding OF course its work of destruction,
for fence and You NAV rely upon Il aid %ot Sse
that by default and now If our enterprisng friends
eyes about him he could see one Of the finest improve
ments IN the way Of fencing that could will
the long line of whitew ashed fencing mute bnt ef
iectnai monument TO the want OF care and energy in
also found in the hall or prison room on the
ground floor heavy plank door, which had been in
account of its cumbersome weight and close sting
1t stopped all draught through the hall or prisoners
ing the place always damp and consequently filthy
AMI offensive. L At once had an ,ror sra'tng door
preparation. ami there it stands all to sea who
wish To II and compare il with what il !nn.t have
at confined from fifty to seventy men and they
IN the most hithy condition they are brought, to the
made 'or cleaning or keeping them clean So much
for want Of care and attention there.
also found the building entirely without adequate
means Of keeping the poor creatures from freezing
though there had been placed in the building two
new furnaces for that purpose, at cost OF nun
December 7ih, 1867 As the heat from the furnace
tirey absorbed the heat in order to assist fno h.st
At once closed up the entrances TO each foor with
circular heads side-lights and sash doors, thereby
improving the condition Of the inmates. And thes,
are still standing as constant reminder of my want
possible thereafter had tin ues inserted in the
brick ones, which. am proud 10 say, acted like a
inmates of the building, who occu sies room on tb
third floor, she was comfortable she wished
felt heat from the furnaces since she hal baen in
the building. And this to man who never took any
Upon taking charge Of the building found the
roof down spous well the receiver of water on
the roof in bad condition the roof bare of paint the
down spouts gone in some places, receiver leaking
and ,shing through the cornice and ceiling. anu
ing in as many as fifty places ia fact, the water pen
etraiipg in every Direction through The building
Threatening its utter destruction and had the roof
and spouting repaired and painted. ss well as the
entire exterior of the gardeners houses, which
10 be in proof Of my entire neglect Of the place
also found the quarters used by the male as we'll
as the coored female patients in serious need of new
stoves, as the old ones were useless for heating pur
poses. besides being unsafe TO use, AMI J bought
them all stoves aud these there still to prove
my want OF interest IN the welfare Of the place
And further. there was no means of heating the
male prisoners hail. ivstsrT.d to JsfOrsI except by
nesns Of fire place, and boUght fine large store
for them, and that is also there want of
interest and care for the place The carpet on the
dining room not only worthless, but absolutely
Indecent. and by great exertion ded in get
ting the handsome Brussels pets hich adorn
the parlors. and removed the old ones, which had
been In since the erection Of the building
the parlOrs to the dining room this, with the add-
ton Of dozen cane seat dining chairs prr-
chased, gave us once more an air Of respectabilty
Mr. ksitor. might on at this rate ''ai libi-
tUm, bot think this all that is necessary be saii
Just now by O man v no has tor two yeArs allowed
the place 10 to totthOh any sesmIng care or
attention 20 pTeSeTrs AZ. Very respectfully
JOSEPH y. MARTIN,
Late Intendant Washington Asylum
Washington, Aug. i $50. 1T