The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-11

they were accompanied by the supcrintcn-
dent and his attorney. From thorough
examination of those institutions we are
confirmed in our opinion that the modern
Improvements have not yet been adopted
in the Vermont Asylum, but we found on
our visit on the oath OF June that extensive
changes are made Two additional wigs
are in process of erection. each 3jX90l one
Of which when completed will be three
stories and the other four stories high.
These wings, we were Informed would give
one hundred and twenty additional rooms
for patients, each room being SxlO and
nine feet studding. Each room will be
furnished with two flues for the reception
of pure air and the expulsion of foul air,
and it is proposed to warm the entire build
ings, new and old, with steam, and venti-
late them by the most modern of vcntila-
ting apparatus-the Fan. When the new
buildings are completed, the officers pro-
pose to remove all the patients now in
underground apartments to more pleasant
and comfortable quarters above ground.
These changes and improvements have
been in progress since the appointment Of
DR.. Draper, superintendent of the insttu-
ton. Dr. Draper was appointed upon the
resignation Of DIR. William Rockwell, Jr.,
and took charge of the institution in Feb
ruary last.
Your committee were shown the record
of vote in 1862, by which the trustees
voted to put in steam heating apparatus at
that time, but the fire of that year pre-
vented the carrying out of the vote at that
time.
We feel that we cannot conscientously
close this report without earnestly recon-
mending the erection of State Asylum, to
be under the watchful eye of the good
people of this State, that private interests
cannot in any way influence the conduct
and action of the officers of the institution,
and that the objects and end of such a
charitable institution may be fully and eff
fectually carried out, and this class of un-
fortunate beings receive Gas they properly
should) the tenderest care. Nearly all OF
the older states, and very many of the new
states, have such institutions. Our pride
ought to join hands with our sympathes
in this matter, and impcl us to the construc
ton of an institution in which we nigh
feel the Just qualification which Massa
chusetts people may well feel in the con
temptation of the asylum at NOrthamp
ton.
At the time of our last visit to the asylum
we found the whole number of patient
in the asylum was 476, of whicl
number about ~ were state poor, 2O
town and INDECENT poor, and the remain
der were patients from out of the state
Your committee find that, notwithstand
ing the drawbacks surrounding the institu
, ton, that the death rate among its patient
has been less for ten years past that at an.
other institution of the kind in New Eng
E land, except the New Hampshire at Con
cord, and but small per cent. above that
, There is very much in the conduct Of tn
Asylum which your committee can recon-
- mend. We are much pleased with Ohe
| management of Dr. Draper, and under hi
SUPPLEMENTARY, with the improvement il
buildings before mentioned, we confident
ly hope that the various grievances, whc
we have felt compelled to report. as nov
existing, will soon disappear, and the in
: sttution become all that its patrons coul
expect of a private corporation.
> All of which is respectfully submitte
, this 30th day of June, A. d. 1873.
GEo. A. BALLARD,
CALVIN MORRILL,,
I Committee on the part of the Senate
HUGH HENRY,
G. w. RANDALL,
l.. S. THOMPSON,
Committee on the part of the House