New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-10
HORRORS OF THE INSANE ASYLUM.


Apparently Fearful Outrage.
The application of Eugene Phillips for
habeas corpus came up yesterday morning
| before Judge Dibble. The superintendent
| of the Insane Asylum produced Phillips
| and the commitment under which he was
held. 1t was from E. V. Leclere. Recorder
| of the Third District, and was dated April
II, 1871, nearly year since.
Judge Dibble stated that the only ques
| ton to be examined would he the sutfi-
ciency Of the authority for the detention of
the applicant. He remarked that he had
thoroughly examined the laws and ordi-
nances OF the city and could find no author
ity whatever for recorder to declare a
person insane and hear evidence on such
ma tiers.
Recorder Leclere was called to the stand
and interrogated by the court. The re.
corder stated that he knew of no ordinance
or law authorizing him to act, but that it
had been the custom to send persons to the
asylum On the affidavit of any person charg-
ing insanity. The recorder then produced
the following as the affidavit upon which
Phillips was committed:
State of Louisiana, Third District. city of
New Orleans.-P appeared before
me, 4. V. Leclere, recorder of the Third
District of the city Of New Orleans, and
justice of the peace, dul Y commissioned and
sworn, James Phillips, No. 1888 Vaudeville
street. who, having been duly sworn, doth
depose and say: That his son, Eugene
Phillips, residing at his residence, No. 1SS
Vaudeville street, in this district and city,
is insane. All against the peace and dignity
of the State.
Wherefore deponent charges the accused
with insanity, and prays that he be arrested
and dealt with according TO law.
JAMES PHILLIPS.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this
seventeenth day of April. 1871.
f. V. LECLERE. Recorder.
Judge Dibble remarked that this was the
most extraordinary case that ever came
under his attention. He had read of such
outrages, but never witnessed them before.
Here, said he, the outrage is greater from
the fact that if his son we're indeed insane,
the father should have provided him
home. But the son has actually been im-
prisoned for year.
During the examination Of the case. the
superintendent of the asylum and the
keeper of the yard were called to the stand
aud examined by E. Phillips, Esq, counsel
for the appellant. They both swore that
during the twelve months incarceration
Phillips had shown no other evidence of
insanity than "a fondness for mathematics
Judge Dibble made the writ of habeas
corpus absolute and discharged Phillips:
but considering the charge of insanity
against him. the judge ex oficio, ordered
that proceedings be had for the interdiction
of the son, with view to finally
determine the question of his sanity John
e. Chadwick, Esq, was appointed
his curator and superintendent, and was
authorized to take charge of Phillips. Doc
tors A. W. Smyth. c. b. White and d. c
Holiday were appointed a commission TO
examine Phillips and to report in ten days.
Phillips left the courtroom with Mr..
Chadwick, who was al old schoolmate. and
through whose efforts, assisted by certain
lady friends, the attention of Judge Dibble
was called to this fearful case.
Our readers have heard SO often the nor
rors OF the city Insane Asylum that
we will not again describe the place.
Suffice to say it is infinitely worse
than tue meanest prison on the con
are perhaps slightly affected are crowded
into a narrow pen during the day. sur
rounded by cells in which raving maniacs
are Yelling and tearing their flesh: nothing
but bare stone wall and bare tn0r. with
no, Il single comfort.