The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-13
LETTER FROM JACKSON.
THE INSANE AsYLUM-yAsT IMPROVE
MENT OF ITS CONDITION.

Especial Correspondence Of the Democrat
INSANE ASYLUM
Jackson. July 10, 1878. !
My own misfortune has made me, for seve-
raj years. an interested visitor TO this institu-
ton, with whose trials and struggles am,
therefore, familiar. It has often been a mat
Ter Of surprise to me how, under any kind of
management, 1t has continued to live, so to
speak; for. during many years, the average
number Of State patients beneficiaries-
been about It's, and all these had to be fed,
clothed and otherwise cared for out Of an an
nual appropriation of about $4,000, payable
in State warrants at their then ruinOus rates
of discount. Out of the residuary pittance
the salaries of the officers and wages Of at
PENDANTS and servants had to be deducted. OF
course, that the asylum ls still in existence
and In more prosperous condition at present
than at any time for many years, Is due
mainly to the faithful and economic admins
tration Of its internal affairs by its proper
officers, often embarrassed in the discharge OF
their duties by political administrators ap-
pointed without regard to qualification or in
terest, race, color or previous condition"
, The last Legislature, SO often reproached
for its sins Of Omission--justly Or un1ustly--
tude, at least. Of all persons interested in the
welfare of the asylum by increasing the ap-
preparation, which, for this year, is $4,000.
This sum, with the appreciation in the value
of State warrants, would be nearly, II not
quite, double any amount realized on any
previous appropriation Of late years.
And here Is one cause of the increased pros
perity spoken of. Other causes are actively
operative and apparent to the visitor, In the
encouragement to the officers and others In
the immediate charge of the asylum, In the
greatly improved personnel and moral char
acter of the board Of administrators thanks
to Gov NiChOlls), and in the growing interest
felt throughout the State In the welfare Of the
asylum.
In addition to the annual appropriation for
the support, the Legislature gave $4,000 for
repairs and improvements (which are now
going on under the skillful hands Of expe-
TienGed mechanics from your city,, and $4,000
for blankets and shoes and $4,000 for furniture.
The number OF patients has increased. There
are 205 inmates; OF whom 1856 are State pa
TENTS or benefiCiaries. Now it gives me
pleasure to say, these poor unfOrtunates need
nothing from private charity, as they did a
year ago. and only prompt payment OF the
warrants Of the asylum. To this matter /
would beg to call the special attention of the
Auditor and the Treasurer. The health Of the
inmates is remarkable for the season, and
this leads to the remark that there Is perhaps
no healthier locality In this State than this
place, to which Nature has added q prodigal-
The superintendent, DIR. Jones, is sort OF
Briorlas as manager. Besides the care OF
his large household, as to mind, he provides
for their general health an unsurpassed gar
den and O well cultivated field of about eighty
acres Of corn, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, mel
ons, etc.
Let me commend the Asylum to the SYM
pathies Of the good people of the State. Eve
rywhere throughout the Union extraordinary
efforts are being made for the benefit of the
insane, / hope our own great State will not
be q laggard In this work OF humanity.
d. O.