The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-14
RAILROAD CONNECTION.
The Central Lunattc Asylum Official
Visit Of the GOvernOr-How the
Institution IA Mannced

[ Governor Walker on yesterday afternoon
| made an official visit to the Central Lunatic
| Asylum for colored persons, located at
Howard's Grove. He was accompanied by
his aid, Col. Owens; Messrs, Albert Ord
| way, Chas. Campbell, Powhatan Weisger,
and Caskie Cabell, Of the Board of Direc-
| tors; Judge Rye, Judge Marshall, MIR. j..
G. Davis, and other gentlemen.
At the asylum the party were met and
welcomed by Dr. D. B. Conrad, the super
| intendent; DR.. r. G. Cabell, Jr., the as.
sistant superintendent, and Mr.. William
| l.. White, the treasurer OF the institution.
These officials threw open the wards to
their visitors, and the thorough inspection
which followed was in all respects satislac-
tory. Though the buildings are plain and
unpretending, and the management is con-
Quoted on most economical scale, we
doubt if there is an institution Of the kind
in the country where the inmates receive
more careful treatment, or where better
provision is made for their health and COM
fort. Everything wears an aspect of neat.
ness and order which cannot fail TO im-
press the visitor, and the patients seem
contcnted and cheerful, whether resting OF
ut work.
The asylum has been in charge of DR..
Conrad aud his assistants, under the SUPER
for only about one year, and during that
time, although comparatively small ap-
preparation was made by the State for its
support, the buildings and grounds have
been so transformed that they would hardly
be recognized as the same. The land in
| front and rear is under cultivation, and
more than enough vegetables are raised on
the place, by the labor OF part of the in
| mates, for the support of the Whole mum.
Der, with the officers and attendants. Forty.
seven men and forty-siX women are given
almost constant employment.
At the monthly of the Executive
| Committee, held last night, the following
statement Of the expenses for the year end
| ing July 1, 1871, was made by the suDerin
terdent: Salaries of officers, S6, 1896; pay
Of attendants, 81 .205.30; transportation o
! patients, -, ,3S2.SI forage, S3lS.22; build
ings and improvements, Sll Polio; furni
turc for house and wards, $)G7 80 /; medicine
and stores, $j39.59; seeds, $l77.15; Goa
and wood, 81 ,643.SO !; lamps and oil, $323.Si
| stationery and printing, $204 ,35; tobacco
$51. 20; ice. $37.15; clothing, $3,014.94
laundry, $16S.20; rents, $3ll farm stock
| 3, ,037.70; sanitary expenses, S303.2G; kitch
en- and bakery, SG0.13. Total expenditures
II, 2O3.37. Balance, in treasury, 81, 196.63
| The total amount received for the supper
OF the asylum was $f9, 400.
| During the year there were admitted 3:
males and 81 females, making total of 62
There were discharged If males and ii te
males; total, %. Nine males and s females
died; total, II. On the 1st of July ther,
remained in the asylum 76 males and 81 fe
males, making q total of 1G3. The tota
number treated during the year was 205--
viz: 90 males and 106 females and tht
average number treated per month wa
| 145.
| 1t appears from other reports presented
that the average number of officers employ
| ed is %, and that the officers and pa
ticnts. are maintained ut cost of onl,
Sl1G.lG each per year, which is $14G8 pei
month, or $3.50 per week. These figure.
are lower than those exhibited by any othe,
| asylum in the country. At some the patient
Is kept ut cost OF eight or nine dollars pei
week, and the lowest figures shown by an,
asylum except the Central, of Virginia, /,
$3.50.
But we have not space to give a more de-
tailed report Of the result Of our examina
| Lion and inquiries. Suffice it to say that
the Central Lunatic Asylum seems to be
admirably and economically kept, and is on
| institution of which the State may well be
proud.