The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-27
Eastern Lunasic Asyrum.

Eastern Lnnatic Asylum.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR
SHOWING THE CONDITION OF TEE INsTlTU
T10S-AcESgwLEDGMs OF THE L1BERALt
TY 0F RICHaoED MERCHANTS.
The following is the annual report of IN.
Board OF Directors Of the Eastern Lunatie
Asylum:
EASTERN LUNAryC AsrLUM. }
WILLIAMSBURG, Va; November 5. 1879.
To his EzeeAency r. w. III. Holiday, Coz.
ernor Of Vggiaia.
Sir,-The Board OF Directors have the
honor to submit through your Excc,lcncr
10 The General Assembly Of virginia the
following statements respecting the affairs
OF the Eastern Lunurie Asylum for the lis
cal year ending 30sh September, 1879:
IN the report OF the Board for the year
ending Both September, 1873, 1t was stated
that most OF the material needed for the
construction Of the two additional build
ings had been on hand for nearly two wears.
and that the delay in their erection had re-
suited from the failure Of the State to nav
the balance Of the appropriation. During
the present year $4,000 OF this appropria-
ton has been received, enabling the Board
to construct one OF those buildings. 1t will
be ready for occupation early in the coming
year, and will accommodate about siNiy-tye
patients. ..-
The appropriation for these additional
buildings was made by the Legislature in
1876, and amounted 10 $4,000. Only S1S.-
COO have been received.
The Board earnestly requests the Legis-
lature to provide for the payment of the
balance at an early period OF its approach
ing session, in order that the proposed adj
ditions so urgently needed for the accommc-
dation OF the insane may be completed as
soon as possible.
The attention OF the Legislature is re-
spectfully called TO the inadequate appro-
prlatIon made for the support OF this
asylum. 1t now contains about 325 pa
tients, which number will soon be increased
to nearly 475. These. with the necessary
officers, attendants, and the various en-
ployes, will constitute a population num-
bering about $50. For the support Of this
large number OF persons, and for the trans
portation OF patients to and from the
asylum. only $4,000 is annually appropri-
ated, and Of this small sum only $4,000
have been received for the entire fiscal year.
Consequently the institution has been sup
ported mainly on credit, and but for the
kindness and liberality OF the merchants in
Richmond the patients must have been
turned loose and its doors closed. For
many years 100000 annually was appropri-
a;ed hy the State for the support OF this
asylum; it was reduced at the last session
of the LEGISLATURE to 100000.
The Legislature is most earnestly re-
questcd to increase the appropriation to the
amount formerly given. This sum will be
barely sufficient to meet the increased en-
pcndture rendered absolutely necessary for
the support Of the large additional number
OF patients, and for supplying the new
buildings with furniture and fixtures for
water, gas, and Steamhcat. 1t is also most
desirable that provision be made for the
prompt payment OF the appropriation.
Many of the employees depend upon their
wages for the support OF their families
and the failure to receive them, frequently
for many months together, causes great dis
Besides, the asylum is SUBJ
iectcd to heavy loss By reason Of having to
make its purchases on long credits and for
interest on deferred accounts.
The water supply OF this institution has
always been inadequate; for several years
past it has been constantly diminishing;
anu uul lEtS tuS pIeScuI ycai ,OWlHS w lOHS-
droughts. ceased almost entirely,
so that water for the absolute wants Of the
asylum had to be hauled from ncighbor-
ing streams. An ample supply OF water
being indispensable to the health and COM
fort Of the patients, TO the cleanliness OF
the asylum, TO its safety in tine event of
fire, rs we'll rs providing Steamboat to
warm the buildings, the Board at its meet
ing in july last determined to erect such
works as would give to the institution at
all times an abundant quantity OF water for
all purposes, relying upon the Legislature
to make special appropriation to meet the
cost OF their construction.
These have now been completed, land at
this date (NoVember ), 1879 afford supply
of pure water fully adequate TO the wants OF
The institution.
These works had to be constructed al
most entirely on credit, at a cost OF $4,000;
and the Legislature is respectfully requested
% provide for this expenditure by special
appropriation.
Very respectfully,
L. MoNTAGU THOMPSON.
President Board Of Directors OF the East
crn Luuatic Asylum.