Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-18
The Washington Asylum.



The annual report of Mr.. G. A. Caswell, COM
missioner Of the Washington asylum, just made
TO the Commissioners of the District, states
that since his last report the north wing Of the
new yorkh house has been finished, aud Is now
occupied by the male prisoners; Tne necessity
female prisoners Is daily becoming more urgent
This latter class is at present. as heretofore,
confined in the old asylum building. 1t Is need
less to dwell upon the Injustice and inconsst.
ency OF combining under one roof the degraded
women who enter our workhouse and the I'M
fortunate poor who appeal to our charitable
cons ideration. Be estimates the cost or an ad-
dttiopal wing to the workhouse at S1.600.
PURCHASE OF LAND RECOMMENDED.
He renews his recommendation t. purchase
about 300 acres of land on the east side OF the
Eastern Branch for agricultural and sanitary
purposes. The last weekly statement shows an
aggregate of 337 inmates, and this numbec will
lie lalLeiy incl eased during the cold weather. o,
the prisoners but few are skilled mechanics, and
the longest term which can be imposed Is ninety
days, and to support them without occupation
Is mtschievious and absurd. This enforced
1dleness renders 1t difficult to maintain discll-
line and tends to disqua!ity them for earning
an honest living by manual labor, and is disas-
trous to them physically aud morally.
NIGHT SOIL AND GARBAGE.
He refers to the night soil and garbage prob
lens,the material being now lowed several miles
down the river, and suggests that all garbage
wharf On the Eastern branch, where the work
house prisoners would receive 1t aud carry 1t to
a proper place of deposit, and 1t could be after
possibly some POI lions could be manufactured
for commercial purposes. This land would be
so far from the city that no nuisance would be
WE'VE bT a e99s not tau TO ee
must be supported In idleness by the District.
In the mere cost of transportation a consid-
e crab :. saving would be made; Untll this
become credit to the managers or to the Dis
ttict. DR.. Townshend, the health oIticer coin
cides with him and considers the purchase of
this lard essential TO the best working of his
department, and the superintendent OF police
urges the necessity Of providing employment
for tramls. He refers to his Suggestion IN the
last report that Congress be requested to turn
over the army and navy magazine grounds to
the asylum-tbey having been radically
abardoned-and the Secretaries of War and
Navy haviDg expressed their approval Of the
transfer, he says it can hardly be doubted but
that Congress will upon proper repre- sentatlon
give possession. He endorses Major Morgan's
views as to the need Of
REFoRMAToRY FOR GIRLS,
and calls attention to number OF girls and
boys, white and colored, now under commit
menc for yagraney 10 the Workho o simply
thee grounds are obtained the buildings can,
at small expense be arranged for the recep-
ton Of these classes. He submits estimates for
the year erdjpg June Both, 1881, (including addi-
ton to new workhouSe $4,000, and purchase
ard Improvement Of land $15,OO0,) footing up
Sl11,000.
THE ACCOMPANYING REPORT OF DR.. j. l. DYER,
the visiting physician, gives the number in
hospital at last report 3d. admitted, 3S4; re-
naming, Is; deaths, 20; number of prescriptions
compounded, $500. He refers to the occupation
OF the new workhouse, and says under all the
cirCumstanceS-the wards being generally full
the mortality rate shows very gratifying
result. He refers to various needs especially
OF additional wards, zone lying-in ward.)
TIE REPORT OF THE 1STENDANT,
Mr.. FaehtZ, for the last fiscal elr, is also sub.
mitted: He rotices the completion Cf the north
wing Of the workhouse; the construction OF
sewer, 1,413 feet long, from the new building to
the liver; the repairing Of the frame cottage
donated by the government. near the south
front of the new workhouse, for the manager,
&c. He says, although the expenditures ex-
coed the estimates, the latter were over $4,000
less than the preceding year. and the number of
inmates has increased 21 per cent. He submits
tables showing decrease Of over 81, 400 in gro
celies. Tables are given showing the follow
ing:-The number of pauperS has tncre lsed
from 12O TO 1873. The inmates In the workhouse
mates July /, ISL 25s; ISIS 2s4; 1873, s12. Dur
ing the year there were 1893 commtttalS to the
workhouse. He refers to their success in get
ipst a Being Supplied S WITH papers aud md
magazines, also to the improved discipline.
There were 666 cof1ips made at the workdouSe
furnished the health Office, and &c used on the
place. He calls attention to the small area of
the premises, and urges the acquisition of the
magazine grounds. In which there are five
buildings. He suggests that these can be re-
available forces Of labor and surveillance of the
asylum, and, by small admission fee, suffl-
Gent may be realized for cul rent expenses.
Amusements. Etc.
NATIONAL THEATER.." Uncle Toms Cabin"
will be presented for the last time at the Ma
tlopal this evening. 1t is ve,y fine reproduc-
ton Of this popular drama in every detail, and
should be seen by all, no matter f at is old"
Mrs. Howard is ptquant 'sTopsy."
FoRDs OPERA HOUSE.-The Lingard company
have had pretty fair week at the opera House.
Their entertainments have been productive of
good deal OF fun. They appear for the last
time time this evening.
THEATER CoMIQUB will give one of its old
time Saturday night perfol manceS tonight.
A BIG OYSTER RoAsT.-The George Leary will
leave at 11:3O Tonight for Cone River, Va, ar
lN'ng there Sunday morning at s O'Clock, aud
remain seven hours. big oyster roast will
take place on Col. Sam Strong's plantation,
which will be free to all. The steamer will re-
turn Sunday night at 1880 O'Clock sharp.
BED COMFORTS, IS cts blankets, 50 pair; iu-
grain carpets, 25, 81, 81, so. g. IS cts. Towsons,
Pennsylvania avenue, south side, near 18th.
THE OxALIc ACID POISONING CAsE.-Yester-
day, in the Criminal Court, Judge Hagner,
Reilly Richardson cOlOrpd