, 1874-12-24
Tur INSANE AsrnuM.-Gen. Murphy,


editor of the Standard. Territorial Aud
itor, and ex-officio Commissioner Of the
Insane Asylum, in connection with the
Governor, in his FIRST mention of the
movement for an Investigation of the
affairs of the Insane Asylum, two weeks
ago, interposed some suggestions as to
the obstacles presented to an investiga-
tion and the means of relief, but con-
eluded: "If the statements made in
the affidayiss are true. some measure for
relief must be devised, but full hear
ing of all the circumstar ces are requi-
site for an impartial determination of
tie matter. and this the doctors admit
they were unable to give when the COM
mittee waited on the Governor some
weeks ago." A week subsequently, in
stead of devising some measure of re
lief," the editor makes merry over
communication of DIR. Steele on the
subject, and attempts to turn the whole
thing into ridicule. will the manifest in
tention of diverting public attention
from the main issue by casting reproach
and ridicule upon the gentlemen of the
medical fraternity who first took the
matter in hand.
"If the statements made in the affi-
To- =
ter to be treated with levity and bnf-
foonery by an officer charged with the
supervision Of the affairs of the Asylum,
and it Is not creditable to the head or
heart of the man who resorts to such
devices to divert public attention from
the responsibilities attached to his Office.
Weeks and months have nov elapsed
since the attention of the Governor and
Auditor was llled to the fact, by an Or
ganized body second to none in the
Territory in ability and social standing.
that charges, verified by numerous afi-
davits. were made of cruel ana inhuman
treatment of potients in the Asylum.
Thus far, those public functionaries
have done nothing towards instituiing
an Investigation of those charges, or
providing measures of relief for the
suffering patients. and one of them has
the effroutery to taunt and ridicule the
disinterested gentleman whJ sought the
investigation and measures of relief
This is question of humanity. far
above any mere consideration of party
association or personal friendship. We
have as high personal regard for Mr..
Harmon, the contractor, as any of his
defenders. We do not believe he would
be guilty of an act of tyranny or per-
sonal violence towards a defenceless
person; nor do we believe that Governor
Ferry OF General Murphy would coun-
tenance such acts; but that, under the
unhallowed system of letting the keep
ing of the INDECENT insane to he lowest
bidder. without regard to other qnalifi-
SesaohS, 6AShs WAoh5o Ao'C OSSh pSAPS
trated by employees, there is no leason-
able doubt; and that the Governor, Au-
ditor, and contractor are all in meas
ure responsible for these wrongs and
bound by every consideration of hu-
manity to devise remedy, there can be
no question.
At any rate, they will be held amena-
BILE to public cepsure for their official
acts, and if they delay much longer to
take action in the matter, the facts will
be placed before the public. and if it
shall then appear that gross outrages
have been perpetrated upon the insen-
safe and defenceless public wards. pub
lie opinion will hold them all equally
censurable for the wrong. The popular
verdict will be: "You knew your duty
end you~did it not" The gentlemen
composing the Western Washington
Medical Association are not men to be
baked or turned from their purpose by
denunciation or ridiculc; they are IN
dead earnest in this matter and will have
it thoroughly ventilated, let the per-
sonal consequences fall where they
may.