The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-13

sum OF forty cents per day. Such an ar
rangement would cost the city, If the average
number of it's insane should equal those now
cared for in the asylum, about $4,000 per an
mum, about double the amount now expended
by the city for this purpose; the number
might, however, be considerably reduced I'M
der proper restrictions, as there are number
of those In the city asylum whose minds are
but partially affected and who, under proper
treatment might be speedily discharged, and
others who should more properly be placed
under State supervision. And in view Of the ac-
knowledged superiority Of the Sisters of Char
ity in managing the insane, and the self-sac-
rificing devotion with which they devote them
selves to these humanitarian Iabors, we be-
lieve that it would be an excellent idea to ask
them to take charge of the city asylum, and
II they could be induced to do so we believe it
could be conducted at less than the present
cost to the city and In much more satisfac-
tory manner, and more beneflCially to the in
sane inmates. Should such an arrangement
be made and the United States government
be induced to surrender to the city the whole
Of the building, part of which is now oecu-
pied for the asylum, with q judicious outlay
VI 5uIltleLlt LuOu6y Ill IuHhlnB blLS ubCSSSdEy
changes and improvement in the building and
grounds, our people would have an institution
which would be an honor to our city, but as it
stands at present it reflects neither honor nor
credit upon our city or our citizens.
Before closing this report we have to bear
testimony to the fact that great and valuable
assistance has been rendered to the inmates
of this institution in large donations Of dry
goods, clothing, etc, mostly obtained through
the personal exertions of Mrs M. A. Tarleton,
who has also a considerable sum of money in
her hands, to be applied to making the build
ing more comfortable In the winter months.
There is also an association of ladies who
have been caring for, and looking after the in
terestS of these unfortunates, and who have
also made considerable donations of dry
goods, etc, full list Of which were given to
the jury. OF this association Mrs. S. n. Moody
is president.
CITY WORK HOUSE $50 CALLED.)
We found this building under charge of
Sergeant James Lynch, who, with three
drivers of charity wagons and carpenter,
occupy the premises. There were three charity
wagons and five or six horses, The carpente,,
was engaged In making rough collins.
The buildings inside of the four massive
walls are in very dilapidated condition and
most of them tumbling to pieces With the
exception of the rooms at the entrance. all
appeared unsafe and unfit for occupancy or
use. We are told that this building Is now
used simply as place to keep the charity
wagons Of the city, which could not be kept
in any stable in the city, The cost Of keep
log up this depository is about $40 per
month, as we were informed by Mr.. Lynch.
We are confident that these wagons can be
housed and the city horses cared for at much
less than this sum.
Adjoining the Workhouse inclosure are the
buildings formerly occupied as the Boys
House of Refuge, and subsequently as an
asylum for the aged and destitute now under
charge of the Administrator of Police. The
buildings inside Of this inclosure are also in
diIapidated and crumbling condition, and
apparently abandoned SO far as city super
vision is concerned. We found domiciled in
one of the buildings Mrs. Eugenia Williams,
who claimed to be In charge of the place,
and who stated she was placed there by Mr.
James Lynch and Bob Barry. There were
two white and three colored families squatted
there. A negro who washes for Mr.. Lynch,
and an old negro on crutches, also an idiottc
boy, and white prostitute (the latter we were
told had been brought there few evenings
before), these comprise the occupants Of the
building formerly used as an asylum for the
aged and destitute And we strongly recon-
mend that immediate steps be taken to ex-
clude from it the class of persons who now
occupy 1t and to close it's doors.
BOYS HOUSE OF REFUGE, METAIRIE RIDGE.
Thomas Devereaux, Superintendent
This place contains about one hundred and
twenty boys, about two-thirds Of whom are
colored with ten officers and attendants.
We found the condition of things In this in
stitution very unsatisfactory, and there were
many things done which we feel compelled to
censure.
This building is large and commodious,
with sufficient room for twice the number of
its present inmates, and yet we find the black
and white boys crowded Unfortunately to-
gether.
We found boys who had been treated with
great brutality, and severely flogged for very
light offenses very large number OF the
boys bear deep scars upon Ghelr persons ol
savage and brutal treatment. Upon making
INQUIRY we learned that these tloggings were
done by several of the employees of the Re
fuge, who inflicted punishment whenever
they thought proper without authority or or
ders from the superintendent, who, indeed
stated to the Grand Jury that he was unaware
of these cruelties which our inquiries hac
brought to light.
We found the dungeons, which are total!
unsuitable as place Tor the close confinement
of boys, filled with boys, one Of whom hat
been confined there for twenty-one days. sew
eral for over a week, and all fed upol
bread and water. We have no doubt man.
Of these boys deserved punishment, but suc
punishment should only have been inficte
after due inquiry and by order Of the superin
tendent, who is responsible for and must bea
the blame of such cruel proceedings.
t The stick which was used in Furnishing til
\ hOvs nv one of the officers was brought to us