The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-31
correspondence Of the Boston Advertiserl
,rhe Asylum for the Insane AT Brat
tDebOrO.


correspondence of the Boston Advertiserl
The Asylum for the Insane AT Brat
tIebOrO.
A DEFENCE FOR DIR. ROCKWELL.
We have read with establishment and in
dignaton the report of the investigating
committee on the Vermont asylum for the
insane. DIR. Rockwell has long been known
among us as an upright and honorable man,
who has given his best endeavors for many
years to benefit the asylum committed to
his charge. He took the institution in its
infancy, and with meagrc endowment of
$4,000 and 1928, 900 given by the State,
has raised its pecuniary value to soOO,OO0
through his able management and great IL
nancial ability. At present confined to a
bed of lingering sickness, disabled from
answering the charges brought against him,
it is but right that his friends should de-
fcnd his character when it is so bitterly at
tackled.
In many instances the report is so wordcd
as to entirely mislcad the mind of the read
err. When in the account of some of the
so-called dungeons" rooms that in re-
ality are not sunk nearly so low beneath
the level of the ground as the basement
kitchens common in cities, it is said these
are only ventilated by eight two-inch augcr
holes bored through the door," emitting all
mention of the windows with which all the
rooms are provided, and which certainly
contribute to the ventilation. Again, the
report, after speaking with commentator
of the enclosed yards at Northampton,
a Ids "At BrattleborO We found moth
ing of the kind except with some small yards
enclosed with hard board fences, without
trees, shrubs, or even grass to relieve their
AZ. ta H.. ..tt l,n
large aud beautiful grounds belonging to
the asylum to which all patients, with the
exception of a few of the very worst and
and most dangerous have access, and while
an impression is given that no amusemcnts
of any kind are afforded, to our own know
ledge theatricals and d noes have often
been got up for the entertainment of the
patients, and the female inmates are fire.
quenty taken to drive. Every sunday
afternoon regular service is held in the
chapel, conducted by one or other of the
different clergymen of the village, or by
strangers who may happen to be visiting
the town. When neither of these could be
present, DIR. Rockwell himself Officiated.
When the committee were so careful to
mention all the faults, real and imagin-
airy, that they could find in the institution,
it is matter of regret that they did not
cUluIRc lulu Ou sOInc vi It's HlcTltS, uS
they briefly mention that ''there is very
much in the conduct of the asylum that
they can recommend"
DIR. Rockwell is not responsible for the
laws of the State of Vermont touching the
insane. He has neither made nor has he
broken them. Doubtless they could be
much improved, and none would hail the
improvement more gladly than himself.
The most serious charge made by the
committee is that "they are satisfied that
persons have been admitted to said asylum,
who are not insane" Why are they so sat
isfed? The only case mentioned is that OF
Joseph A. Stockton. who was discharged as
"sane" in the face of testimony proving
that he had already been confined in three
asylums in Pennsylvania, had made fire.
quent attempts on his own life, and that
while in the army, when sentenced to the
penitentiary for year and to pay heavy
fine on account of misdemeanors, COM
mitted, his friends, and amongst them the
late Secretary Stanton, procured his release
on the ground of his insanity. The decis-
ion under these circumstances that he was
to be considered sane man is certainly a
strange one. Stronger proof than this
should be given before such heavy charges
are made.
The case of Rev. Peter Shaw, frequently
commented on in the newspapers, is some
what analogous one. This poor old mar
was the victim of monOmania, and on the
superintendent testifying that he was harm
less, was discharged by the judge, who adj
vanced the doctrine that none but danger
Gus lunatics should be considered insane
enough to be confined in asylums. At the
investigation this old gentleman testified
that two patients from Canada were, upon
sl,A.. sat, lx.t Ia.
attendants, stamped to pieces, killed, and
remains boxed up ard sent to their friends
He could not give the names of these VIC
tins nor did he assign any motive for the
useless murder. lie also testified that ht
saw another patient cruelty beaten by ar
attendant whose name he gave. The min
ute distinct charges made are easily
refuted. 1t was at once proved that tho
attendant in question had left the asylum
year before the time stated in the accuse
ton, and that Mr.. Shaw, being in another
hall from the much-abused patient, coul,
not have witnessed the beating even if
had been inflicted. The officers of the in
stitution distinctly deny the charge tina
punishments, AS such, are ever used by
them, and it is from testimony like tn,
above, the creation of disordered minds
that the sensational stories which have beef
TEN of torture worthy of the dark ages
have sprung.
The committee admit that the quantit,
and quality of the food are all that could b,
desired, and the significant statement mad,
by them that the death-rate at the Vernon
asylum is less than any other asylum il
New England, with the exception of that n
Concord, N. H., coupled with the kindrc,
fact that the number of those discharged a
cured is larger than at most of the simia
asylums, would of themselves prove the alb
surdity of the stories of neglect insufficient
care, inadequate warmth and ventilation
i'll treatment, etc. Such results do not fol
low such causes.
The final representation made in the re
port is that the present changes and i'm
prOvements have been in progress since tn
appointment of DIR. Draper, the presen
superintendent of the asylum. This is tru
but 1t is also true that these improvement
were planned and commenced by the for
mer superintendent, and are now going o
under the charge of DIR. William ii. Rock
well, jr., in whom the trustees have hig
and deserved confidence. This young mar
was, for a few months, in consequence {
his fathers illness, placed by the trustee
ut the head of the establishment, but wit
the express stipulation, made by himsel
that he should resign as soon as the sue
cessor could be found. He was ncithe
turned out for extravaganza, as the Spring
field Republican asserts. nor did he resig
on account of intended investigation, q
the Rutland Herald states He left of h
own free will and in opposition to the III
gent request of the trustees that he woul
still continue at the post.
We ask you, in the name of justice,
publish these few and simple statements
facts. What seems to us cruelty unju
story is being spread far and wide throllp
the land. We claim at least the priyilcg,
given us by long acquaintance and high G.
teen, OF speaking in the defence of the a,
cused. ~