The New York herald., 1872-09-22
THE MEBRIATE ASYLUM
Grave Charges Of Mismanagement Brought
Against the Institution.
Reformatory Made Into Penal .Workhouse-s
Whiskey as Means Of Reform for Inebri-
ates-siugular Conduct Of the Warden
Numerous Escapes and Still More Nu-
merous Complaints in
the Management-How Good
Citizens Can Be Got
Rid OF il Desired

plants and reforms needed In the various public
institutions on the islands in the East River Some
weeks ago we had the revolt at the Penitentiary,.
at Blackwells Island and the consequent reorpani.
zati0n; then came the recital OF cruelty to unatics
and subsequent murders; and now charges are
made OF the gravest character against the Ine-
briate Asylum, on Wards Island, an institution
which was supposed hitherto to be doing WON
derful deal OF good IN quiet way. Where will all
this end 1t certainly seems as II our authorities
should wake up In these matters. Our penal and
charitable and reformatory institutions are alr
falling back from the notably high position they
stood in some years ago-a position which made
Charles Dickens in his ''Amerlcan Notes." exclaim
that they filed him with admiration.
The charges against the Inebriate Asylum are just
as grave as have been the charges against the
others. 1t is true that perhaps no positive cruelty
exists, but still something 80 akin to 1t tnat the
blame is almost as well deserved.
The Inebriate Asylum was established several
years ago for the care and reformation of habit
ua drunkards. 1t was not in any sense meant
as place OF punishment but rather as place Of
refuge for incOrrigbe tipplers where gentle means
and proper treatment would be used to gradually
reclaim them. 1t was not meant as a charitable in
sttution by any means, as the law Incorporating 10
makes 1t obligatory on the inmates or
of the patients This was subsequently
fixed ut $40 week, certainly
very fair price, and assuring OF itself that the
patients were to be furnished with comfortable
home, where, in the absence of temptation, they
might gradually improve themselves and overcome
the terrible cause which weighed them down. This
idea it has been altogether controverted anu
to that extent that the institution
SERVES NO EARTHLY PURPOSE
for which 1t was established
The HERALD reporter had an interview with one
of the former inmates yesterday-a man who had
been discharged about week. He went on to say
that he had entered the Inebriate Asylum Of his
own accord and paid his board money regularly in
advance; that he had been In it some months, and
found that the management was lamentaby def
cient in the main object of the institutiOn-refOr-
nation.
'Wn you explain yourself more in detail p,
asked the reporter.
DISCHARGED INEBRIArE-The charge, then,
in the first place, Is that they make a
prison Of the place and treat men more like
convicts than unfortunate members OF, society,
who are sent there for reform. DR.. Adams, the
Warden ian appointment, believe, Of GOvernOr
HOflman), looks upon the men in his charge as
criminals Of the worst die, speaks to them In the
as if they were so many sheep. In this conduct he
is audaby initiated by an eX-pOliceman named
Landy, who has charge OF the $5 boarders. With
him we we're nothing but dogs, and were Knocked
about and cuffed around as such. He ought to be
their servant instead of their master. Now when
you come to think
THE GREATER PART OF THE INMATES ARE GENTLE
MEN,
some being quite rich, this seems to be poor way
OF making them reform. Instead OF trying to make
their home happy and attractive they are made to
hate 1t, and get away from 1t as often as possible.
Thus see the numerous escapes They occur every
week, and though perhaps they are brought back
ultimately, the time they have been away Of
course has been sufficient to wipe out the good
that may have been done by abstinence from
liquor. II they are brought back drunk which is
probably the case. they are further degraded by
TEN DAYS TO BLAckwELL's ISLAND,
which Is the very worst thing that can be done -
such man, for then he loses his seIfrespect. You
must understand the men in the Asylum gene
rally merchants, in good circumstances, as the
price they pay for board shows.
REPORTER--Can you name any of these escapes p
DISCHARGED IsEBRIATE-Oh, yes; Mr.. Thompson,
both escaped recently, and others cannot think OF
at present They were received brutally when
they came back. But there is worse charge than
permit no liquor OF any kind to appear on the
premises. But those who have plenty Of money
thing 10 see patients in the inebrate Asylum Just
as drunk as they could possibly be outside.
REPoRrER-This would seem to
SUBvERT THE WHOLE IDEA
OF the establishment OF such an institution.
DISCHARGED INEBRTArE-Certainy. Then, again.,
people constantly sent there for family reasons.
Any woman need only go and say before the Com-
missoners or before police justice that her hus-
band IL habtual drunkard, and IL she saws she is
willing to pay his board he is sent right up for
three or SIX months. Ab0nt a month ago a woman
had her husband sent up for two months. He cer-
tainly was
NEVER A HABITUAL DRUNKARD. .
The other day she came to get him out, fearing that
him. but he refused to go. He said he was put
there and he was going to stay; but when he got
back there would be trouble.
REPORrER-ls the Warden good MANI !
DISCHARGED INEBRIATE-Dr. AdamsY | should
say not. He seems TO have no idea OF the govern
uent OF such men. His treatment is harsh instead
OF mild; and then again, his dssensons with the
matron are certainly not calculated to improve
day and abused each oher ike 1e
Adams will speak civllly to no one. A man named
Durand belonging to Jersey City, has been sent
long he is In for.
REPoRrER-Won't his wife or relatives +
they won't tell him. 1t is said to be some con-
spiracy to deprive him OF his property. The other
day he was told he was going, and when he had,
packed his trunk up DIR. Adams told him to unpack
1t again, he'd have to stay. The man Is almost,
crazy with uncertainty and grief One man
Perry-s in for life; he's an opium eater and his.
friends send him opium all the time.
The discharged inebrate made number OF other
number Of patients under the present management
has
DwINDLED AWAY
to forty fifty, and there Is room for fully q hun.
A letter was received yesterday, addressed to-
the editor OF the HERALD detailing many OF the
charges made against the institution in the above
article. The following portions are taken from the
letter. The writer says:-
When q man commits himself voluntarily or is COM
mttcd by his friends he is sick and proper treat
mcnt he wants everything quiet and calm. You do not
TO hospital and for It besides, be thrown in
ward room CELL like prisoner, do your irendd
that send you there expect you be treated And
who has been drinking until his nervous sys-
TEN Is all shattered above all others wants Kind treat
menta kind word and proper nursing the best
for all such The fact that ncbrate surrenders
himself voluntarily nvolunary the custody of an
IL
party that placed him there that he
PROTECTION AND GUIDANCE
and the fact that the Institution receives him under sucip
circumstances implies contract between them that
he for his part requires certain aid, which tho
institution part to furnish and IL is due to-
both that the terms the contract should be clearly
understood especially rs the Institution is well paid for
its services. s..,.,.,
party and If patient fall into temptao and relapse
he not be punished Is malefactor but cared
and