The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-28
COLUMBIA, 81, G..
Wednesday Morning. January %. 1874
Ths iiLunatlo Asylum.

The mismanagement and decline o.
the public inotitutions are matters Q,
universal regret. and for many years
past, have supplied lamentable theme
OF comment and ground OF exposure n
the Journals Of the country. Money.
have been appropriated sufficient TO,
the. conduct OF Che affairs OF kingdom
but educational and charitable establish
ments have run down in inverse proper.
tion to increase in the amounts nominally
supplied to keep them up. Several Of
them have practically ceased to exist,
and others are on their last legs. Il
cannot be denied that this results from
want OF ! sense Of responsibility On the
part OF those in power. Men feel re.
sponsibility who have character to sus-
tain and conscience and honor to guide
and control them. This sentiment and
influence, operating from within. are con-
frmed by pablo opinion when it is en-
lighteneds and free and directed point
edly to, its proper Office. But the pub
lie opinion which bears directly upon
our officials is one which they have the
tact and ability to shape almost as they
please to suit themselves. It is used to
justify their extravagance. to bolster
their incompetenoy, to hide their wrong
doing, and to fortify them in defiance
of the requirements of stern and strict
accountability. They do substantially
what they please, what suits their indi-
vidual and political interests. The only
check they-recognize is the one which
the behests of party impose upon themI
and party iustifies and vindicates the
most reckless proceedings. Offices have
ceased to be filled with men who serve
the country. They are the private pro-
pertyl Of politicians, who run them in
their own behalf.
In this desert, We are plea5ed to no.
tice one oasis. The industry, skill and
untiripg efforts of Dr.. Ensor to manage
the Lunatic Asylum in a way that will
subserve the great i.terests and high
sdaties Of q hospital for the insane. and go
bring eelace to the most afflicted portion
of humaaity. are worthy of all praise.
The improvements which he has intro
duced, 80 far - the means afforded him
permitted, are valuable, and contribute
essentially to the comfort, well-being
and peace OF mind OF his unhappy
charge. Others which he has suggested
are urgently needed, but in the present
condition Of the public finances, are, we
suppose, hopeless OF accomplishment.
It is painful to road that the number
who have been discharged cured is nm.
usually small, for the reason that tho
institution ist led with chronic and in
durable cases. This is due to the fact
that nearly all the patients who are ad-
mitted now have been kept at home or
in County iails and poor houses. waiting
for room accommodation in the Asylum,
until their condition has become 30 bad
that cure is almost impossible. Gases of
insanity require. prompt treatment,
while the disease is in its acute stage.
Not receiving it, the disorder becomes
chronic and permanent, and many who
might have been relieved and restored
to society and their friends, have thus
been condemned to life Of mental
darkness. Here is cause springing
directly from the inefloiency, lack of
Judgment and proper sense of respon-
ibility, on the part OF the State Govern.
ment, working directly against one of
the prime objects Of hospital for the
insane.
The Superintendent gives US melan-
choly narrative of his embarrasaments
and difficulties arising from the made
quate provision made for the ordinary
support of the institution. Last year it
was the burden OF lis report, and we
hoped the strong appeals then made
wonld have sufficod to prevent it's repe-
tition. But the evil is deop. The in.
stltution is run entirely upon credit.
There is never any money in hand to
make purchases. ''No one," SAWS DR..
Enoor, "can or ever will know tho em-
barrassments to which have been sub.
ia0ta1 sipco tho hoo;o,>:o~