Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-25

The usual annual visit of Legislative
committee to the Insane Asylum at st.
Peter took place on Wednesday, and was
briefly reported by telegraph in yesterdays
GLOBE.
The delegation from the Legislature con-
sisted of the regular standing committee on
the part of the Senate, viz: Hon. JAS. Nc
Hench, chairman, with Messrs. Morrison,
Ahrens, Henry and Waite. House-Hon.
S. M. West, of Rice, chairman, with Messers.
Sabin, Ladd, Holland and Reaney. The in
creased responsibility of providing either
new and separate institution elsewhere, or
additional Accommodations at st. Peter, had
induced the Legislature to create
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE,
consisting of Hon. Alex. Fiddes, chairman,
and Messrs. Richardson, Mead, Dresbach
and Morse, of the House, with Gilfillan
(Minneapoliso Edgerton and Doran of the
Senate, to accompany the regulars, share in
all that was to be seen. and to consider
themselves specially charged with the con-
q
message relating to the insane.
The old time especial train'' was not
rendered on this occasion, but on reaching
the depot of the st. P. & s. G. road, at the
foot of Jackson street, at 7:15 Wednesday
morning, special car was attached to the
regular up-bound mixed or accommodation
train, for the use of the honorable gentle
men og the Legislature, and several welcome
friends, including the delegate from TIE
DAILY GLOBE.
When it came to be known that the GLoBE
was the only paper represented in the party,
it may naturally be inferred that the liberal
public spirit and indefatigable energy of the
proprietor of said paper became topic for
general discussion, and many frank express
sions of commentator and good will for the
GLOBE followed.
After leaving the depot call of the roll
developed the absence of Messrs. Gilfillan,
Edgerton, Doran and Morse of the joint
special, and Judge Waite of the standing
committees; the balance, however, were in
excellent spirits and not only impressed with
the importance of their mission, but deter
mined to make something more than mere
formal and aimless visit to a great State in
stitution.
Our train made slow time, hating any
where and everywhere that side track was
found, while at LIE Sueur we had not alto
gether disagreeable halt of half an hour.
Every one of the party remarked the fine
appearance and evident thrift of the
place. During stroll up town,
Mr.. West and a number Of the
other Senators, with friends, decided
as matte of courtesy to drop into brother
Doran's bank, on Main street, for a few
moments. Imagine the surprise of the party
when reaching the main entrance they
found (then about 11:3O a. M. the door
locked and barred, and notice pasted in
side of the plate glass, viz: "Will not be
open until after the departure of the train!"
SOME HEARTLEss WRETCH
had telegraphed ahead of us from st. Paul to
the effect that there was number of sus-
picious persons on board the train, two OF
whom were known to be from Saltwater;
to look out, &c. Sabin and Deputy Ser
geant-at-Arms Dayton of Washington
county, were, of course, members of the
party.
AS reported by telegraph We were greeted
on our arrival at St. Peter, about 1:3O p. M,
by the officers and trustees of the great hos
pitaI, and by leading citizens with carriages.
The first drive was to the Nicollet, where
dinner was ready and disposed of by hun
| cry lot of visitors in very short time.
The same vehicles and attendants awaited
| at the door when dinner was over, to convey
the party to the permanent asylum, which is
about one mile out, directly up along the
river plateau.
| Arriving at the main front of this grand
and costly edifce, with royal steps and col
umned portico, the party assembled to the
main hall, and were ushered into the
spacious and elegantly appointed apartment
occupied by the superintendent and physician.
DR.. Cyrus X. Bartlett, NJ. D., where all OF
the resident officers Of the institution, with
President G. T. Brown and Rev. A. 81. Kerr
Treasurer, of the State Board of Trustees
were met and sort of reception and gen
eral introduction took place.
| This main asylum is not only source OF
pride to our State for its solidity and archi.
| tectural beauty, but it is justly claimed az
one of the most spacious and perfectly ar.
ranged institutions in the United States. Its
total cost to the State, including the grounds
and all appu rtenances, stands at about $500,
OOO
The asylum will accommodate just COG
| patients, and is now almost filed to its full
capacity.
AMONG THE PATIENTS.
| Though by no means pleasant task, ye
duty required that the visiting committee
should make the tour Of the interior of tn.
asylum and inspect the situation of its in
| mates.
OF course there were all phases and al
| styles of mania, as well as both sexes AMI
nearly all ages, though the sexes are kept en-
tirely separated, while the various ages ant
conditions are properly grouped.
In the first female ward we entered, on
young woman-sprightly and fair, but MAJ
came up to our rotund, jolly and eve
kind hearted Richardson (member of tn
House from Little Falls and formerly repre-
sentative of nineteen counties) and takin
him by the arm asked him to dance wit
her. Richardson responded promptly an
the two went round and round in good tim
and step until an excellent old-fashione
waltz had been completed.
About four o'clock the party was drive
back to town, accompanied by the principe
officers and trustees and shown through til
so-called
TEMPORARY HOSPITAL,
where nearly one hundred patients OF th
milder form of mania or mental weakness
are sheltered and treated. These were tn.
premises first occupied and used for a
patients while the permanent asylum wa
in course of construction.
In the evening the lecture OF Dr. BOARD
man was attended, and at $40 yesteroa;
morning the party were homeWard pound
arriving at st. Paul as already stated.
suppose Gold should Drop, What Them
BosroN. Jan. "A portion of the indebted
J ness of Massachusetts consists OF bonds OF "a
Troy & Greenfield r. R., which are payable i