The New York herald., 1878-12-04
ONONDAGA'S DISGRACE.
THE HORRIBLE CELLAR CELLS IN WHICH THE
COUNTY pAUpER LUNATIcs ARE CONFINED
REPORTS OF THE SUPERVISORS COMMITTEE.
EY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

=
REPORTS OF THE SUPERVISORS COMMITTEE.
DY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SYRACUSE, n. Y, Dec. .. 1873.
Since the HEDALD's exposure of the horrible condi-
tion OF affairs in the insane department Of
the Onondaga county Poorhouse strong in
fuence has been brought to bear upon the
Committee of the Board OF Supervisors which made
the discovery. Until at present the matter has
sumed political shape. the county poor officials
being every republican and the Board of super
vsors of the same complexion. An attempt has been
made on the part of the latter to shield the
guilty functionaries from the odium justly their due.
The movement hes been partially successful. To-day
the committee in question submitted two reports.
Two of the members entirely acqut the Supcrintend
ent and keepers. In their report however, they say:
''Thc committee would recommend that the Board
nuke some provision for building an addition TO
the present insane asylum. They are also Of the
opinion that it would be for the best interest OF the
county to build q building the size of the present
asylum, which would in all probability meet the
wants OF the county for the next ten years.
and we further recommend that the present rooms
in the basement be thoroughly ventilated" This is
a virtual admission of the facts as stated. In no
place does the majority report deny the discovery or
the horrors make mention OF them ut all.
MINORITY REPORT.
The other member, George W. Chase gentleman
of undoubtcd integrity and prosperous merchant OF
the city, made minority report setting forth the
statements telegraphed to the HERALD. This
report, substance, rs as IOiloWS:-'lne majority
report fails to notice fully the condition
OF the unfortunate insane persons who were con-
fined in the cells of that institution At the time the
committee visited that institution, in the month
of August last, l find no facts or cir
eumstanees which require any change OF Of
Of the affairs and the condition OF the insane.
and OF the filthy condition OF the apartments
in which they were confined which We're & III ven, n
which to keep any human being. The con-
dition of these dark cells was substantially
~A.,l... f,,1
best and kindest feeling toward the keepers OF the
poorhouse en- unwilling to make u truce with my
conscience and convictions in any matter affect
ing the well being of my fellow citizens.
All three Of the committee are republicans in poll
tics. Mr.. Chase. however, being the only city member.
The latter's obstnacy in resisting the whitewash
report has delayed ts sublnittal to the super
visors. should the Board Of Supervisors fail to
take the initiative for thorough investigation
it is probable an effort will be made secure the ut
tention OF the State Board OF Charities. In that
event great mass OF corroboratory evidence viii
be obtained. many persons possessing start
ling information Of other Irregularities being
ready to speak at formal inquest who now hold
erence is made TO ex-keepers and other officials hay
ing had access to the County House.
LUNATIcs IN CELLAR CELLS
In an interview with your correspondent tonight,
George W. Chase. the Supervisor who made the above
report said THE committee appointed by the
Board Of Supervisors. Of which | was u
member went to the Poorhouse for the
purpose of examining the building to zee If any i'm
proyements were needed; in the course OF nves-
legations the committee found under the Insane
Asylum in dark basement five dark. filthy. ill
ventilated cells, with tight fitting plank doors,
in which were Ave human beings some naked and
some halfclad. There was nothing but dirty straw
on the floor and the stencil was terrible The
lunatics were not taken out for air
exercise. The cells totally unit places to keep
human beings in These cells had never been shown
to the Supervisors when they made their annual
visits Of inspection, We're they aware
Of their existence. The hogs kept in
the yard Of the poor house kept in better yent
lated and cleaner pens than We're these human be
ings" Mr.. Chase is supported in this posi-
ton by public sentiment, which Ii entirely
with him. The cowardly Of the Board
OF Supervisors is condemned all hands, although
q natural one, since they, being to blame in the
premises are not in hurry to convict themselves.
The HERALD's ringing editorials upon the outrage
were highly commended here.