Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-26

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outstretched arms clasped convulsively to
her bosom our Hennepin County friend,
claiming him as her husband, her dear, long
lost husband, and squeezed him until he was
pale with fright and chagrin.
These are but few of the many quaint
and sadly interesting incidents of our pas
sage through the various wards.
| It was very plain from the facial indica-
tons that considerable majority of the
inmates, particularly of the males were for
iegn born, representing many countries and
tongues.
There were but two of the black race in
the whole building-one of each sex-a
| young man and woman.
A pretty general inspection of the various
departments of the institution, both inside
and out, developed great cleanliness at the
time, and perfect order throughout. In
fact one could hardly help feeling that the
entire institution was managed and provided
in style almost lavish in its costly perfec-
ton.
THE ORIGINAL HOSPITAL.
When the visit to the Asylum proper was
completed, the committee and visitors next
inspected the old hospital buildings, which
were used previous to the erection of the
new Asylum, and which now contain one
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dition of the main hospital.
Here the State owns the ground, nearly a
block altogether, with the old hospital build
ings, residence, &C., valued at $15,OOO or
$4,000, though there would be little proba-
bility of finding purchaser of the same at
half that figure.
It is the intention, of course, to abandon
these old hospital buildings NOW mere
rookeries or tumble downs when compared
with the new and permanent institution)
just as soon as other and better accommoda-
tions can be provided; and it is to provide
these better and more permanent quarters
and facilities for enlightened treatment of
not only these one hundred unfortunates,
but for the constantly increasing number at
the rate of fifty per annum, that the atten-
ton of the Legislature has been called to a
pressing demand made both by those in
charge, and by the Governor in his late
message, and on which the joint special leg
islative committee was dispatched to st.
Peter for inquiry, investigation and report.
After passing through the old hospitals
last mentioned, the gentlemen from the
Legislature were invited to brief confer
ence with DR.. Bartlett and the trustees pres
ent, in the office of assisting physician
Bower.
~
a resident of ST. Peter, who seems to be the
leading and controlling spirit of the State
Board, took the initiative by stating that
there were three particular points in connec-
ton with the pending status of affairs to
which he asked the attention of the commit
tees, and through them the action of the
Legislature.
First-He called their attention to the de.
ficit in their last years appropriation.
The board and faculty made an estimate
for $112, 800. The Legislature of last win
ter cut them down to 100000. The result
Was that after the year was closed they had {
, deficit of $12,5OO-the expenditures cover
ing the amount estimated exactly!
Judge Henry explained that the last Leg
islature appointed commission to come t
st. Peter, examine all the patients, and de
termine what number could be returned tt
the care of the respective counties to which
they belonged. Some 60 or 20 were indicat
ed as fit for removal, and on the report o
the commission to that effect the committe
!, on ways and means decided to cut off tn
: said $4,000.
DIR. Bartlett explained that less than 80 0
!, said patiens were ever taken away, the coun
= ties in general paying no attention to the re
8 quirements of the law in that particular.
), Second-Rev. Kerr stated point second t
embrace the desire and wish of the Boar
that the Legislature would grant change il
the manner of their appropriations for tn
insane. He wished that the State would al
! low them certain sum per head say 1913
= per week, for all inmates; let that ratio of al
L lowance cover all attending expenses; but a
g the same time he would have the Legislature
9 instead of appropriating gross sum for til
y year, simply authorize the Auditor an
Q Treasurer to honor the drafts Tor vouchers
y of the Board just when and for the amour
It required, from month to month, as per aboy
i basis of expenditure. This was warmly urget
y but instead of the committee making repl,
; pro or con, to the proposition, Mr.. Mead {
n st. Paul and other members entered upo
ONE practical inquiries, putting question