The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-06
1nE KINcs corxrr MAD nousE.
Inmates Sicrpinp on the Floor. Poorly Fed
aud Scuntilv Clothed The Chniit' Tome
misaioners illuminating the Witnesses.

Al the Investigation into the alleged
abuses in the flatbush Asylum Tor the Insane
Yesterday afternoon. Dr. Orlronaux, the Com
missioncf la Lunacy, addressing CbatiB Com
ni.siunefs Norris, lIakor, Midas, and Cunning
hntn, said that hc was surprised that the Conn
mi.sioncrs had not attended hciorc. aud added
tn + the iuq. ..ry that be was TO conduct was to
Hscertlin whether the facts warranted change
ia tie admiuia atratiou uf the institution. Then,
speaking to the other members of the iuvcsu-
eoting committee, he said that he had received
a letter from witness he expected. saying that
he was afraid to testify, because II he did lac
should lose hls bread and butter. COrrobofa-
tive facts enough had been received that this
was a real fear, and the Doctor warned the
Commissioners to rid the minds OF the
committee OF this Impression. Ex Judge
Troy, who appeared IA counsel for the
ness was an employee The doctor replied that
he was. Then the counsel and Commissioner
Norris said to the committee that no restraint
had been put on any emnloVce, and they asked
for and urged the fullest possible Investigation.
! pr Norris asked to be represented 10y counsr
! To protect the reput uinn Of himself and his
| associates. After much discussion the commit
tee consented To the nttendance OF counsel {;
| but Dr. Ofdronaux explained that there would
re no legal or technical limit to tho testimony.
| The Commissioners. he added, were not to TO
| put on trial. because there was no legal issue
| between them and the state. Mhen that time
| came, II IL came II all, their counsel would be
| OF course necessary
Miss Jennie J. Kobinson, Of Flatbush, visitor
| to the institution. testified that In November,
! 1874, she found th.t six men were sleeping on
| the floor. A week later. two 4 the men were
| dead. She that the men were poorly CT d,
| aud learned that there were only forty shirts for
| thirty-six men. She noticed a great want of
| cleanliness. In one hall there were only six or
seven pounds Of butter week for tNe enty six
| men. She discovered that the underCl timing
| had come from the wash 50 moist that she felt
| the dampness through her glove. The nurse,
Harley told her that the clothing usually cam e
| In rat hRr " ua q n-p
| Hrll II on Jan. 3, 1873, that the patients were
walking briskly to and fro, beating themselves
Miss Robinson Onplained Of the rudeuess oil
one interview DIR. Norris said to the iuies who
were inuuiring In reference to the dism ssa OF
business" The steward had slammed door IN
the .ce Of the allies. George Bhchmeyer, q
nurse, told her that there was no clothing 20 u,
had that he had applied to the steward, bh'
had fuiled to get clothing she thought th'
nurses incapable. ignorant, and unsympathetic
one nurse asked aOOut the condition oi
the thermometer IN one OF the nails. tie diuh
| know what thermometer was.
Miss Dora Robinson. sister Of the last witness
recalled, testified TO system OF stealing whici
she discovered there IN fetruary, Tor wuici
seven employees we're discharged.
Nj Robinson being asked whether there W II
any feeling between the visiting ladies ana th'
Charity Commissioners because the latter ha'
refused to remove Mrs. Cunningham, th'
| mAtrun, answered tnat she h td no suCh feeling
As to the other ladies she declined to testify.
Dr. mes A. blanchard, Supe iintendent o
the asylum, testified that he was appoint .,
Aug. 8, 1874, and that he had no previous knowl
edge Of the Of the insane lie had mad
some rules for the government OF tue asylum
but they had not been printed, ana no one ha
seen them besides himself lie said tnat tie re
mem Dered no fudeness to the LADY VI itors. H
thou sht the asylum attendants compared favor
ablV with those elsewhere where no bette
prices were PAID. ne mAle nurses received 81
a week, anu the female nurses sE