New-York tribune., 1872-10-11
THE BLooMIYGDALE INVESTIGATION.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. VI
REPORTER IN REGARD TO hlS EAPEhiENOf~o
IN THE INSTITUTION.
The Committee, consisting OF Francis u
BARLOW. NJ b. Anderson, and Thomas Hun appointed by
Gov John T. Hoffman to investigate the Bioomingdaio
Iupatic Asylum, met on Wednesday. Ihe OoinmlSSioh
was appointed upon charges made In ahdaVts OF FORMER
attendants Of tho institution After orSani@ns' to
members or tho Commission drove out 10 the
institutjon. They proceeded at once TO the Lodge
and upon presenting their credentials were admitted
They visited Hall XII on which THE TRIBUNE reporter
lived during his recent visit to the institution. Here
they found everything scrupuousy clean and In place
OF the uncomfortable settees. made of wooden Stats
paccd I'm iron frames there cane seated armchalrs
and lounges Tie lcewater was found in the hail. SO
that any of tho patients could obtain drink
without searching for an attendant Ihe
cell occupied by THE TRIBUNE reporter was
visited II was just cherries and prison-llke as
during the reporters stay. The walls were as bleak;
the outlook from the window as uninyng; the rough
straw beds unfit for the wTetched tenement, were
lust as uncomfortable, and the absence OF
chair equally noticeable. The wire cage in which the
patient Herbert - was exposed naked was examined,
and the poor idiot found In his bed by the Commission
ers According TO the testimony OF one OF the COmms
sioners he was entirely without clothing, while another
think that he had shit. They found the patients
at dinner and although the food furnished In abund
ance was served upon the same tables and IN the
same repusye manner. The other halls Of the Lodge
we're also inspected The Committee insisted on seeing
every part of the building and declined the companion
ship OF the attendants
After completing the inspection, Mr. Carr. attendant
on Hall XII, was examined. lie admitted that the un
comfortable seats mentioned by THE TRIBUNE reporter
lad been replaced by the chairs and lounges now in the
building; that tue iceater had been lately taken from
under lock and key He made the statement that the
doors were opened at 10 and p. and that all
patients were afforded opportunity OF going out
into the yard IN the company Of an attendant and at
another time admitted that all who enjoyed the liberty
of grounds went out doors only with the per-
mission.
The Commission resumed its session. yesterday, at No
1ls East Thirtlethst., Attorney General Barlow pre-
siding.
julius Chambers, reporter Of THE TRIBUNE, was
called and testified substantially follows visited
the BoominGdale Lunatic Asylum, IN the capacity OF
reporter during August; passed four days in the
Lodge" madhouse, and eight days IN the wards Tor
quiet patients.
Attorney General Barow-Q. Will you detail the cir
cumstances OF the striking of Van Schaick by the at
tendant and indicate the exact location Of the patient
when struck A. On Aug IT, directly after the patients
left the dinner table, Van schack brought out Of
the corridor leading TO his cell in the wing
OF the building; he was hurried the main
corridor of Hall XII, and into the door Of the dining
room he made several hats, II undecided which way
to co. or as to what was expected of him he is an DID,
grayhared palsied man. and is said to be blind after
passing the doorway he stopped again. when Townsend
the attendant rudey pushed him toward chair which
had been placed the side Of the table at
the end where Mr.. Carr, the other attendant,
usually sat; failing to sit down, he
would probably have done had he been OF
sound mind the attendant thrust him back into the
chair, and upon the patients muttering some words
which could not distinguish. lie received two blows III
the face; the blows given by Attendant Townsend
with the palm OF his hand he stood over the old man.
Townsend struck him first check and then on the
other; the patient was then fed
O. What are the entire circumstances In the case OF
Herbert referred to in your repOrt A After break
fast the morning Of Aug 16 while wandering through
the corridor in the extension, saw Townsend at the
door which leads into Herberts room; the door was
standing open and the attendant talking to the in-
mate cannot exactly state the hour as there was not
a clock in sight on the hall, but I think the
time was between $3.50 and $3.50 the patient was
then brought out of his cell, utterly nude,
and passed upon the balcony at the of the
tension; this balcony has an eastern exposure; after
the patient had been turned out into this place. the door
locked upon him. and the attendant left the corridor
closing the door also lett the corridor, so do
not know how long he was kent in that exposed cond
ton believe it TO have been three hours or til
dinuertime
O. Regarding the annoyance to which old Mr. Harbns
was subjected by the caterer Wilknsi A. On the par
ticular instance which have singled out the caterer
asked the old mans name; "How-kn," was the
reply; Harkins, did you sayp inquired the
caterer; "How-kn!" bawled the patient; "spe
IT," said wilkins; the patient would Try to do
so; this was continued for considerable time
The effect. however, always to and trouble the
old man, that he became utterly wretched He re-
peatedly expressed desire 20 his friends but did
not appear to know whether they were living OF dead
To the best Of my knowledge this man not taken out
for exercise by any CT the attendants during stay in
the Lodge"
O. Are there any persons confined in the Lodge"
whom you believe to be sane A. without any mowl-
edge Of unacy cases. other than that obtained during
visit should say mott believe that all the patients
confined on halls Nos II and 49, far as saw them,
should be kept safe place; they should however
be accorded comforts to which the payment on an
average Of $3 per week for each patient Won ent
tie Them at least the accommodation OF secondelass
clearinghouse rather than that Of work-house
O. Regarding the bath-tubl A. 1t in a filthy con-
don I spoke OF this and pointed out the condition OF
the bath-tub TO Attendant Townsend he was present
when placed paper in the bottom of the tub prepara
tory to taking shower-bath.
Q. Could you not obtain a newspaper for yourself
A. failed after continued efforts to procure one only
the friends Of patients could order newspapers; APP
piled Mr.. Carr; he Informed me that must see the
doeor the DOCTOR he positively promised to have
sent to even asked me what one preferred on
the following day L asked an aged supernumerary
who distributed the newspapers for mine he advised me
to "speak TO the DOCTOR" spoke to the doctor again.
butthe ne Tspaper dd not come although II was again
promised when / went to Hall v DR.. BurTell very
coolly told me that he had not ordered newspaper,
and that he did unless the friends authorized
1t I reason why this rule of tho institution
was Kept from in the first instance, or why means
were not at afforded me, patient. for communi
eating with outside persons.
Q. What do you consider the great fault Of Blooming
dale A. proper classification of patients the dining