Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-20
The Insane Asylum Investigation.


The Committee on the Expenditures OF the
Interior department resumed their investi-
cation OF the affairs Of the U. 8. Insane Asy-
ium this morning:
the rector of the Church OF the Epiphany,
and was one OF the board of visitors of the
asylum. Has been a member of the board a
an ayerase every month. Generaiyy spe 1t
three hours there when he visited the asy-
lum, examining everything in detail, the
xii S said he visited the asylum last on May
"a. and conversed with three or four patients
In each OF the wards and found everything
in good condition. His examinations were
very minute. He also visited the asylum
February LIST; never knew OF an Institution
which is kept so clean as the insane asylum.
The building throughout is scrubbed three
times s week. Have had occasion to visit
the asy lum unofficlally. and found the same
cDrdition OF things. Mr.. Watkins related
an instance when he visited the kitchen and
noticing some corn beef tried some of IL. He
said he found Ii 10 be as good as was served
at bis own house.
unofficially four times during the last year
and half, and during that time made d We
official visits. His last visit was made on
the. I'd day OF the present month, and then
made careful examination. The patients
were drawn mp in line and inspected by
him. Generally gets there about O'Clock
in the afternoon, and concludes abont
O'Clock. Has never seen any vermin on the
patients.
Walter s. ctr testified that he was one of
the board OF visitors of the Insane asylum;
was appointed fourteen or fifteen years ago,
and has served continually since. Gener-
ally visit the asylum once In two months.
Examines the building from cellar to attic.
Do not think there is a private house in the
city that is kept as clean. Once or twice has
examined the bedding, and found IL clean
the board through the wards are I not TIM male Ee
hurriedly. The remainder of his testimony
was corroborated by that given by Mr.. Wat
itors examined. Mr.. Cox said he thought
DR.. Nichols specially adapted for the posi-
ton, and thought he had conscientiously
performed his duty.
raj q. s. N, now on the retired list, testified
that he was member OF the board OF Wis
itors Of the asylum: and has been such seve-
raj years. Visited the asylum once In two
months. and carefully examined all of the
wards. Frequently spoke to the patients
T ahe asKed them men how they were treated
treated. The management OF the asylum is
surprisingly good. DR.. Palmer spoke in the
his government at the asylum. He Thought
that the four hundred acres attached to the
asylum were necessary: he thought that
ane SUPERINTENDENT could attend to the farm
Mr.. Mutchler asked DR.. Palmer what he
thought of proposition to put the former
farmer, and the purchases for the ASYLUM
under the control Of hospital steward, and
to leave the asylum proper under the con.
troll OF DR.: Nichols, and he answered that he
thought 1T would be a good thing-that he
favored division OF duty.
Moses Kelley testified that he has been a
member OF the board Of visitors for 10 years.
Tried to do his duty, and found everything
as II should be. Remember that Mrs. Van
Kewan called upon him three or four years
ago, saying that she had a son in the asy.
lum. and complained that he had not been
properly treated; that her son was not given
the clothing that she sent him. Witness said
TO her that he would inquire particularly
into the case. Advised her to call upon Sur
geon General Barnes also, telling her that IL
there was any wrong done he would do ali
he could TO correct IL. Remember calling the
attention OF DR.. Nichols to the case, but do
not remember whether he ever visited her
sen at the asylum. After hearing DR.. Mich
OILS explanation felt satisfied that there was
nothing wrong in the matter.
Prof. Joseph Henry testified that he has
been one of the board OF visitors to the asy-
lum for the past eleven years. Visited the
with the schedule of the board. Often went
over there during the warm weather on Sat
uTday evening and remained there until
Monday. Devoted several hours to the ex-
animation. Always look at the beds, cloth
Ing, &c. Everything appears to be very
comfortable. Have never seen vermin on
beds or patients. Have eaten the bread
meat and butter there, and found the food To
be good; In fact, every thing there is in ex
cellent order. DR.. Nichols is a very indus.
charge of every thing there. Did not believe
in separate Offices or heads there; thought
that one head should be responsible giving
him power to appoint and remove whenever
he desires to do so.
DR.. Ninion Pincknfy testified that he was a
medical director OF the navy and was now on
the retired list. In 1861 was ordered on spe-
cial duty to take charge OF q portion of the
insane asylum, which was taken for naval
hospital. Remained their eighteen months
living with DR.. Nichols family on his invi
tation. Observed the management of the
asylum and was agreeably surprised. Never
saw an instance when the slightest fault
could be found. In cleanliness 1t rivaled q
man OF war, which was the cleanest thing
known OF. Always found everything In the
asylum In good order. On one occasion dined
with the board Of visitors there. Since 1871
has visited the asylum four or five times.
Thought that DR.. Nicholas was eminently
fitted for the position OF superia tendent
There is no rival asylum in the world, ex-
cept the asylum near Cincinnati.
DIR. u. M Toner, one Of the board OF visitors,
gave similar testimony. He has visited the
asylum oficially and unofficially many
times during the year he has held the appoint
ment, Aud found everything pleasant. The
when any member of the visitors 60 through
the wards. Think that the male inmates
enjoy the idea OF standing in line when being
inspected. Have never seen any vermin on
the patients. There are many patients at
the asylum who are afflicted with hallucina-
tions alone.
Or. Wa, Guton, also a member of the
board OF visitors, gave additional corrobO-
tive testimony.
The committee then adjourned until Mon
day.