National Republican., 1876-04-13
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
Further Statement by Dr.. Nichols.

The Committee on Expenditures Of the In
terror Department met at 1870 o'clock yesterday
morning and continued the Insane Asylum in
vestigation. DIR. @. H. Nichols continued his
testimony, having first filed pamphlet in rela-
tion to the change Of nonresident patients. He
stated, also, that the number Of dipsomaniac pa
tients was nine, including two opium eaters.
Seven were admitted withinthe present year. OF
this seven, two were manifestly insane. He said,
in addition to his statement regarding violence
of patients, that there have been three other ae-
cdental deaths since the institution opened In
1855. but only one from personal violence. The
death Of MeAdams, alleged to have been kicked
to death by an attendant, was caused BY ex-
haustion from typhomania, and although ne may
have been kicked the result was never affected
by it; violence or punishment by attendants Is
never allowed: at least one hundred attendants
have been discharged for inhumanity, drunken
ness or neglect their otenses were always serious
but they have been discharged in order to
as far as possible; change attendants fire.
quently, but never appoint one without good
written Recommendation; is necessarily imposed
upon sometimes; never knowingly employ an at
tendant with violent temper, and never allow
them to drink liquor as beverage; liquor allowed
only 10 diPsomaniaes az nrst Dut com,
have sometimes been made, but very unfre-
quently; patients sometimes come from military
hive, have vermn on them; occasionally they get
on to patients in the house, but steps are imme-
mediately taken to rid them of them; such pa
uents are not placed alone for want of room, but
thoroughly cleaned upon reception; never knew
that Mr.. Whitney had yermin; quiet, harmless
patients are never placed in the same room with
maniacs; the quiet and harmless are confined
together as much as practicable; neither the chief
Of police nor the police commissioners are allowed
to discharge patients; they have no authority In
the matter. No patients had been -
SENT TO PITTsBuRs
to witness personal knowledge; If any were sent
II was because they were insane persons not be-
longing to the District Of Columbia who were
sent tn their homes and nlarpe n Wit.
ness knew nothing at all about patients being
sent Pennsylvania who not sent for by their
friends. The board of visitors, nine in number,
visit the institution monthly, and no more thor
ough examination is made in any similar institu-
tion. The grounds consisted first of 1sS acres,
surrounded by wall, to which three additions
had been made; 135 acres were purchased from
Zadoe Williams, in name Of self and A. r. Shep-
wards witness sold it to the Government for
$4,000; it was arranged that Mr. Shepherd should
receive six per cent. interest on the money invest
until the necessary funds were forthcoming.
THE PURCHASE MONEY,
together with survey, taxes and other expenses,
amounted to S22,1i0 and If legal interest had
been paid witness an additional appropriation of
had never received any interest whatever, much
less anything in addition to the money which had
the first cash pay payment mem G Sf $500, and Mr.. Shep
herd and he gave three notes, two for 5000 each,
and the other for - ,6si. Mr.. Shepherd paid the
ment and the second note. Mr.. Shepherds notes
were paid through J. w. Thompson, who took
Mr.. Shepherds interest of his hands. Mr..
Thompson was not disposed to sell it to the Gov
eminent. For two and one half years before it was
purchased the Government had the use Of the land
WITHOUT PAYING ANY RENT
whatever. The interest that Mr.. Shepherd re-
ccived witness thought W rs for the use of the
money advanced by him and not for the use of his
name; the land had been used a farm for the
Asylum; about ten farm hands were employed,
receiving from S. TO SIS per month; there were
twenty four horses and five mules belonging TO
horses; three yoke Of cattle are used at present;
on an average one hundred men from the wards
were at work about the building and premises;
the number at work on the farm varied in warm
weather and cold weather, there being very few
so employed; only few patients worked upon
the river-wall assisting the bOatmen; il was not
true that number Of patients were at work upon
the wall
IN WATER UP TO THEIR WAISTS
last March or any other month. He thought that
the a 900 which the vouchers showed to have been
expended in manure good investment. Some Of
the manure had been resold. MIR. Clarke had
ing about the trees in the Capitol grounds 1t
was much fresher than could be gotten elsewhere
and the vouchers showed that il was all paid for
The clerk kept an account of what was sold, and
the Government received the amount. Last June
the number Of cows was thirty-four, with thirty
four heifers and calves. The daily supply of milk
averaged forty-four gallons; seldom made any
but raise nearly all the COWS now; those bought
(about n dozen In number) would average $50.
At this point the examination was postponed
until 10 O'Clock this morning.