Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-22

district with the supposed insane person;
and, farther, that the certificate Of such ply
sicians shall not be sufficient to commit the
person to an asylum until the judge Of such
probate district has certified that these physi-
clans are men of unquestioned integrity and
skill in their profession. Mr.. Walker sees
cause for criticism in the fact that the letters
written by the inmates Of the asylum are in
large part subjected to inspection by the Off
GERS of the institution before being sent, and
thinks all letters written by patients should
be allowed to go unread to their guardians or
next of kin Lastly Mr. Walker comments
upon the fact that of the 3Gl Vermont pa
tients confined in the asylum (out of n total
Of 40 PATIENTS 1913 are State benoficiares,
leaving only 81 private patients from this
State, and takes pains to raise the question M
to whether the State is not "being defrauded
by individuals and officers of the asylum COM
bining to have private patients classed as
State benefciares."
So much for the criticisms contained in the
report. which we think we have stated fairly.
though in brief. OF the points favorable to
the institution, which are conceded by the
commission, We quote from DIR. Goldsmith's
report, near the opening, where he says that
the superintendent, DR. Draper, evidently
brings to his task culture, training and fideli-
ty." OF the trustees and their fidelity aud high
character he says;
The most searching inquiry has failed to
find that single dollar, of the millions which
have passed through their hands. has ever
been Incorporated or unaccounted for.
| They have always served without fee or re-
| ward, and fidelity to trust seems to be- and
| TO have been, in each and every case. the
| household god, hereditary or not. These
| gentlemen have shown not only fidelity to
the trust they hold. but rare financial sagaci-
| ty and prudence in its management Chron-
ic beggary commonly hangs like a mantle on
most charitable institutions. The trustees Of
this Asylum have worked more Justify than
they have cried for help
DIR. Fassett refers to the Asylum as being
beautiful for location, and suitably seclud-
ed by terraces and high hills from noise and
public observation. In reply to the question,
Are the patients kindly treated" DIR. Fas-
sett freely says: 1--WE are convinced that
the food Of the inmates is abundant and Of
| good quality. The entire institution is kept
| very clean as completely 30 as any asylum
! in our knowledge. The inmates are decenty
clothed, and their clothing, as well as their
| persons, is kept carefully clean. The most
perfect good order prevails throughout the
entire hospital. Kindness and gentleness, SO
far as they are consistent with mechanical
restraint and seclusion, are everywhere ap-
parent. We believe that 10 cruelty or harsh
treatment on the part Of attendants is ever
permitted, if known
10 ole, obaorF,1l,- ,o,,,,1.. H. n-o..z.'.
eminent fitness for his position. speaking of
him rs IA man Of good judgment kind and
humane in disposition. combining n quiet
frmness with that suavity Of manner that
controls and conciliates at the same time "
and as being evidently devoted to his pro
fession, jealous and earnest In his closing
summary of the leading points in his report
DIR. Fassett says that, while the managers are
continually striving ITO render the asylum rs
useful and comfortable possible for Its in
mates, they are constantly prevented by lack
Of means from doing all that is desirable "
and that in order that the institution may
avail itself of further needed improvements
1T is necessary that a larger sum than 81. 90
per week (the amount now pnid 10y the State
be paid for the board and care of patients, or
that funds be provided in some other way"
As regards the matter of the price which the
State should pay for It's patient, DR.. Fassett
also says, elsewhere in his report, tia; there
is no similar institution in New England
where the cost is not more than that allowed
the Vermont asylum.
1t should also be noted that the commission
ers nowhere attempt to dispute the ground al
ways taken by the trustees, viz. That the
State of Vermont OWNS no part or share in
the asylum property in law on equity. and
that the State has 40 more control over this
than over any privUl- estate. Ga the con-
trayy Mr.. Walker explicitly says. in Il brief
sketch of the history Of the institution at the
beginning of his report
This (the original act uf incorporation.
in the opinion of the Commissioners gave
| the sole superintendent and management of
| the Asylum to til, trustees named therein
and their Successors. TIL act vested the
management il no oiA,r authority than that
provided for il th- VIII Of the donor, Mrs
Anna Marsh) which WIS the trustees and
| their successors the STATE az Vermont never
had, and has not now, any more voice in the
superintendent and management of this in
stitution than j. has In the management and
control Of any ore Of the hundreds Of acad-
emies and brass bands that have been incor-
porated 10y the Legislature of the STATE. and
from all the information the Commissioners
can obtain, II does not appear that the Legis-
| lature, at the time OF the incorporation, at
| tcul;td or desired, even, to reserve to the
Stat, any right to participate in the manage
m, IT of this institution. The act reserves to
the state, simply a ysitCr,al power"
L.. 4. -
conformity recommend, as the result of their
investigations, that the State erect, without
delay an asylum for the insane; that accom-
modatious be at once provided for $50 pa
tients, and the construction nt the central
parts of the buildings be such that the capa-
city of the asylum can ultimately be increas-
ed, by the addition of wards, so as to accom-
modate 800 patients.
From the summary thus given it will be
evident to the reader that the leading points
of criticism made by the commission against
the asylum are lack of sufficient air space and
ventilation, and overcrowding, with sugges-
tons as to the requisite number OF attendants
to care for the patients and the character of
the medical attendance, while recommends
tons are also made as to the passage of new
laws relative to the commitment and dis
charge of patients.
On the other hand it is conceded that the
managers of the asylum are constantly using
all the means at their command to make i'm
provements and provide increased advantages
for their PATIENTS that the patients are well
fed housed and clothed, that their treatment
is uniformly kind and humane. and lastly
that the course pursued by the State toward
the institution has been niggardly and IN
generous, so that it is the State which is il
reality responsible for whatever defects exist.
al clnimed, to mar its efficiency.
by way Of comment there is little 10 say,
because these facts as they stand speak for
themselves. The most obvious thought which