New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-11
CARE OF LUNATICs IN KINGS COUNTY.


COMMISSIONERS TEsu1oNY-PoHHcAL INTER-
FER NEE II THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ASYLUM.
The Investigation of the management OF
the Kings County Lunatic Asylum continued yester-
day before Dr. Orronaux Stale Commissioner in Iunacy
Uassan H. Wheeler testified that he had been President
OF the Board Of Charity Commissioners He bau 10
knowledge the agreement or disagreement OF the
rules governing the Board with the statute The Board
was divided into several committees lie thought that
sometimes the committees failed to report thcr action 10
the Board. The witness voted for DIR. blanchard as
superintendent upon the recommendation of others
He also voted for Dr. Corey Supervising Physcah ne
cause he deemed such appointment necessary lie
was aware that DR. Blanchard had had no previous ex
periencc with insane persons but thought lie cOnd soon
make himself familiar with such matters II the witness
had an institution OF that character on his hanus
personally he would have employed only one physician
Toe effort would have been made 10 save Ill the Ga
pense possible. AZ Commissioner he could Jaslly the
appointment IL had been charged that Mrs cunning
ham not efficient matron but the matter was not
thoroughly Investigated. Tho witness Thought the
charges were founded upon just basis. She ap-
pearcd TO have ungoyernabe temper. ana was hot
disposed ractablc obey the superintendent she
was not familiar with the bylaws and rules. The Com
missOners occasionally visited the Asylum Dr. Corey
had repeatedly declared that the ASYLUM was over
crowded. Some cpieptic patients might he sent else
where and bera were from thirty TO forty inmates who
cburccablr he county Witness though. conpeent
physician cOuld have been obtained Tor SJ,oOO the
sum paid to Drs. Blanchard ana Corey
Carlo.F Donald who served three years As assist
ant physician aud months superintendent OF the
Asylum, testified that there no rules governing the
attendants. except verbal Instructions The at nddnts
were, In Intelligence, Inferior 10 those IN similar lnsit-
ti0ns elsewhere. They were not pad sufficiently. Dur
ing ns ncnmhcncy the patients had often suffered IRON
Insufficient supply Of PROVISIONS and clothing The
Commissioners sometimes Insisted that certain PERSONS
should be appointed to positions. man whom he dis
charged for breaking rlle rriDSt ited ny COmns
.iOntr against HE Protest TIC uan openly declared
that he was Independent of to wtiuess's au-
thuriiy. This conduct OF tn Commissioners caused
characterization among the employees, ana no discipline
could b. maintained Hhe Asylum Committee mad. no
official iuspactiOn while the witness superintendent,
although frequently requested 10 ito the hatrOn,
Mrs, Cunningham often told the witness ihat she would
tlGe orders from him that sbe WAS DppOnicd ~
Hugh McIaug il!u and that tue Doctor could not re-
move her Tine witness felt that TO discharge nose
wnum the Commissioners wished 10 have retained
would irOpadZc his position, and no lett compelled
suifcr inli entities II he would Keep BIS place.
Cumni. 5iOncr Norris denied that lac had ever been
rude dis Courteous, bad been charged Dr. Camp
bell ass.staIt ply stefan at the As u testified III cor
rUboratun OF the mcOmpetcDcy OF Mo. Cuhnlnghdli.
the hearing Will BE- resumed today ut p. III.