New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-14
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE CARE OF THE INSANE.
TIE UAhE OF IIIT1 I4''Ht'b'
MRS. LOwELps Mi MORANDUM TO HE BOARD OF
ESTIMATE AND APPoRTIoNMENT-THE EXCISE


MRS LOyFLIis Nj MORANDUM TO HE BOARD OF
ESTIMATE AND APPoRTIoNMENr-TH EXCISE
FUND APPLICABLE.
| TO the Edttor or The Tribune.
| SIR: The interest in the memorandum presented
last Monday by Mrs. Lowell, of the State Board OF
Charities, to the Board of Estimate and Apporllon-
ment, should not be confined TO the comparatively
few amongst us who know the actual necessities of
the insane poor and the inadequacy of the existing
accommodation for them the attention Of every
resident IN New-YOrk should he gwen TO this point,
and the appeal now made to the Board Of ApportioD
| ment. with whom the final and immediate decision
lies, should be enforced by public feeling.
The Commissioners of Charities and Correction
have ioug let the necessity Of additional and I'M
proved accommodation for different classes OF the
insane nader their charge. The estimate of Their
expenses for the next year includes appropriation
of $4,000 TO complete the hui dings commenced
last year on Wards Island, as well ~ a sum OF
S25 900 for the erection of new building for the
most cxritablo cases of insanity Ola Blackwell
Island. 1ho existing accommodation il stated by
the Commissioners 10 be improper and Insufficient
The Commissioners further applied for Sl2,0OO
TO build two new payihons on Harris Island Tor the
care of the harmless insane who are transferred 10
this island. They also represented tie necessity OF
increasing by a small amount go, G31) the existing
payroll i'm order to be able to increase the number
OF keepers, nurses and attendants at the Insane
Asylum, made obligatory by the steady increase IN
the census Of this unfortunate class OF their inmates
TIE Board IF Estimate and Apportionment has re-
fused thus fur To grant any Of these applications,
aud the object of Mrs. LOwelIs Memorandum IS to
endeayUT to obtain reconsideration Of the matter.
Ono mode of Influencing the Board, as the guardian
Of the public purse is evident. 1t consists IN show
-. 4 Ala
to some of the objects contained IN the estimate of
the Commissioners of Charities and Correction.
WHAT might be saved IN this way could surely be
appropriated to the pressing cxlgencies OF the
helpless insane The Excise Fund, consisting of
moneys derived from licenses for the sale of ntoxi-
eating liquors, by the Act of April 30, 1879, IS
placed under the control Of the Board of Estimate
and Airport onmcnt, to be appropriated among
selected benevolent aud charitable institutions
which gratuitously aid, support and assist the poor
his word "poOr' is construed to include persons
who would otherwise become charge upon the
respective couniirs-juycnlle delinquents, etc.
persons supported relieved cared for gratui-
tously, IN or ny any special charitable institution,
such as the blind insane and Others. The dIStrbu-
ton is required tc be made on a per capita basis.
The present proposal is to relieve the Charity Com
ms~ioucr- Of the necessity Of expanding the sum Of
$4,000. asked Ly them for the distribution Of coal
10 the outdoor poor, according to annual custom,
and sanctioned by the Board Of Apporioumcnt.
Further. an annual amount If 10000, authorized
by the Act Of May u, 1915, for poor adult blind
persons not provided for in public or private nst-
uriuns might 1t Is believed, be provided in another
way.
The Excise Fund might properly be appropriated
in furthrruucc of the nr,C part of the charge ana
4 D. 4 LOU
directed by the existing Law to provide for the adult
blind. The latter part seems To involve some DIM
entities, bur 10 is lear that the of $4,000 if
taken from the expenses Of the Charity Commits
snnrr might po appropriated to ia r more pressing
rruuIrrrur %, giI0out altering tho total amount OF
tine estimate Tor tine department.
Al tim, point II may be we'll 10 anticipate some
pl.-.ll, apprehension as 10 the mode OF uI--
irritating amy sum wL,h may b" appropriated either
from .r general tax levy or the Excise fuud % TIE
relief of the uut-duor poor. The custom OF making
tu.s distribution has prevailed Tor SO many years
and 20 much pans LJ- been taken ul late 10 insure
10, benefits TO the deserving poor that the question
OF stopping it altogcthcr as not warranted ny me
letter 81 the law, which has been raised IN Brook
Iyu need not enter into present consideration. Inc
gurs non is how to administer 10 TINS city largcss
most effectively, and the proposal made by
Mr-. Lowell Is to turn the "hot sum over
ir,.u lnr Commissioners of Charities and
Correction to two wclI-knOwn sucrtcs. II
would -rrm that these societies have been named
u- rrur..ruIIug tine TWO principal religious d'silur-
poorer CIilIrUS lDll "a nflu'.h NAT
l.I,,. l.pIr,,lOu Is conveyed by scrctUg the New
Yur. Association Tor Improving tie Condition Ui
the Poor ~ a dIslIuCuyrIy Protestant society. On
tur contrary o. il catholic IN the widest scusc-It
uu,., uUt allow the question: OF rel gIuu, ldIth to
ur,-r lu uuy way either NJ, Board Of Managers or
among o., Visitors or Ward committees. FROM -
10 90 per C,at UI the tUuGs Is expended yearly
among kUuau Catholic laIuIiIrs, ana several Oh the
y-.fuI, ,lUug TO that IcI guu. ludrrd, 70 Us prob
able that many OF the warmcst supporters OF the
Association would Withdraw from TT there was
any appca.ucr of discriminating between the
Door uu la. ground OF difference Ia their religious
belief.
TO return, however, 20 til" nam question: No
one believes that the mcnucTS Ut the Board of APP
purtIu..urnt have any desire 40 tulhr puuhC nc
ptltMrul or to luNiVt hardship Oh class oil uutOr
tuuIIr people, VINO nave no power 10 represent tucT
own wants, and of whom Nc may 81, that thrIr
condition may he ours tomorrow. Their wish,
doubtless IL to prevent any increase OF cNptnacto
save the taxpayer. But they should beware lest
hat Ihry may save at the spgIOt they may lD,s at
the puuguuc; WuIC Iuuy may iCcI suTc tnut II -
rr to err ut any error Madrl on the side OF hu-
mainly and improved treatment, than 70 continue
dangerous and detective system Oh the ground ol
economy. T.
Aoc-IoIL, Dec. II, 1873.
HOW 10 TREAT PAINTING ON IVORY
To me EdItOr Of Ihe TrIGHHS.
SIR: have received as a gift from a friend
IN Hong Kong CHINA, beautiful portrait panied on
a plate Of ivory inches square It !, In covered