The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-07-25
WaslingtOn Letter.

Washington Letter.
WAsHINGToN, D. c., July 10, 1878.
We referred last week to the base-
less investigation of charges against
Dur Columbia Hospital, and the final
report of the Board of Inquiry con-
firms our statement. The discharged
nurse who caused the investigation
has absolutely no case, for her own
witnesses failed to support any of her
SO the Board dismissed the
matter as unworthy of further consid.
Grafton We expect another Investi-
CATION next winter of the Insane Asy-
lum, because one of its inmates charges
that ho is improperly held and treated.
One of our daily papers publishes the
letter which he writes aud we doubt
not some Congressman whose brains
are quite as lacking in equilibrium as
the lunatics' will introduce and press
upon the House resolution of inquiry
into the fare and treatment of the
Asylum patients. The name of this
lunatic is Conway. He brought him.
self into great notoriety here few
years ago by attempting to shoot Sen.
ator Pomeroy, of Kansas, for alleged
improper advances to his, Conway's,
wife. No attempt was made to pun
ish him therefor and for long time
afterwards he was permitted to wan.
der through our streets, as his un-
doubted insanity took the harmless
form of decorating his clothes and hat
with col0red rags and ribbons, which
he alleged were insignia of the high
rank he held among the aristocrats of
the world. That he remains cas- mad
AZ March hare" no one doubts who
sees him at the Asylum clinging low
ingly to his decorations, yet he is sane
enough to match with some members
of Congress. Hence our belief that
an investigation will be demanded
next winter. The Asylum passed
through rigid and searching one last
year, which developed only the fact
that an honest Superintendent could
at times overlook certain details en-.
trusted necessarily to attendants, and
as he resigned after acquittal, it is
about time to ego for" his successor.
Under an Act of Congress there is q
post Office box provided at the Asy-
lum in which patients can deposit let
ters without interference or espionage
of the officials, hence any friend can be
informed of abuses, should any exist
and sanity enough be found to do the
needful writing involved.
1t must be gratifying to the people
OF the United States to know that
Washington not only has the largest
medical library in the world, but that
it is being put to one Of the very best
uses that such . collection of valuable
books can be employed. Under the
immediate supervision of the Surgeon
General, book Of reference is being
compiled which is to be to every in
telligent ply sician in the land what the
American Cyclopedia is to the student
of general knowledge. Literature
has not yet had an acquisition of this
kind, and it's addition growing out of
the Federal City as the work of one of
lite public officers, will be matter Of
no little interest to the citizen who
prides himself ON his nationality.
When it is remembered this book will
enable the phys,cian. IN the very
shortest time, to inform himself on any
case he may have ON hand, by all that
has ever been written on the subject,
its value TO the health of tho world
can scarcely be overestimated. 1t is
intended that every library in the
country shall be furnished with one at
the cost of production, the copy con-
sisting of six volumes, each about as
large as Webster's dictionary.
The Commissioner Of Agriculture,
General LeDuc, is determined his in.
cumbency shall not be pi ofitless to the
country. The subject of fig culture
has now his earnest and thorough in
vestlgation, which has prepared him
to announce with the utmost conf
dence, that this fruit can be success.
fully aud most profitably cultivated in
the temperate and warm climate of
America. He strongly recommends
the subject to agriculturists through
the country, and suggests the varieties
to be experimental upon. In collect
ing his information he has availed him.
self of the services of our foreign
ministers stationed in fig growing
1t is quite possible that
curing figs may soon become as much
an American industry as making raj.
sins and sorghum syrup and sugar.
Congress authorized the Public
Printer to publish third edition of
the Polaris Expedition, aud to furnish
. copy at cost to any person wanting
it. 1t is q large, we'll bound volume,
beautifully illustrated, aud of finest
Its cost is 81 %, which
sum will cover postage, hence any
person desiring a copy can secure it
by remitting that amount here to Hon.
JnO. ID. Defrees.
DEMOCRATEs.
Wisconsin Correspondencc.
REEDsBURG, WIS.,, !
July 10th, 1878.
BEATEN BY A NEGRO.