New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-26
ASYLUM REFORM.
rome Editor oJThe Tribune.

To theE dftor Of The Tribune
SIR: The agitation of the subject Of asylum
reform has now arrived at an important turningpont
Hitherto this question has been almost exclusively dis
eussed I'm the narrower professional circles, and since
the representatives OF the asylum interest had for rea
sons best known themselves fit 10 let their crit
les have It all their III the various medical 80
eetcs the public could only arrive al one oftwo conclu
sone: either that the criticisms pertinent, or
that he asylum not sufficiently sound to ad-
init Of defence. Now for the first time the profess
sona gentlemen engaged In the work Of asylum reform
have apr cared before the public. The Asylum Commit
tee of the New-Yoik Neurological Society have Issued Il
report the main points OF which printed IN yeste
day's TRIBUNE.
n only half Of what the Neurological Society asserts il
rue-and the documentary exhibits, Consisting OF letters
and anldavlts as well extracts from official reports
ana the LEADING journals seem TO show that all the ale
cations arc true-then asyums not only need uvcs
tgatton, but entire asylum system requires reyis-
ion ana reform. The action Of the Senators In this
question Is the most remarkable, not to say upeet-
denied one That have ever witnessed aud under the
circumstances can appreciate the satisfaction which
the Neurological Committee must feel over the retire
ment OF these mon from the Legislature.
One Of the exhibits shows that the Controller com
plains that finances are drained. aud that no
vouchers rendered for the current expenses III such
Institutions as that at Utica Another an eh ilct IRON
tho report OF the Prison COMMISSIONER Win thlfu
the State Board OF Charities SHOWS thh tue Gross
occurred ~ tho Criminal .uihllt hhu
yracuse asyluus under the ~ the state COmlns-
eoncr ~ Luuacy. OF the Latter officer II can only be
said Senator Mccarthy stated in the Senate that ne
suerdous ~ the light Of these and similar revelations
inc fact appears that the Neurological Society be
caq tie agitation OF the suh the Commissioners OF
CHARITIES Correction have not ventured 20 appoint
angle unre student assistant phv scia NJ eitier
of the AS uns Wards and Blackwes Islands as was
previously frequently done also That al tc former
Institution The Utica" crib been abolished pFac-
icalIv Whether this done IN good faith or through
or the committee do not say, but trust 10 place mat
tefs IN such a way that relapse shall be rendered I'M
| possible through legal enactment.
What | regIet to document or 80 Important
ana elaborate character u the appearance III It's APP
pcndlx of many exhibits that reflect not alone on sys-
tenic abuses, but also ON ipdylduals Tie COMMITTEE
howeyer state that they left other alternative
owing 10 the way in which they attacked aud that
conmIttee 10 exhibit a letter from superntendent
which proved that the latter had made CHARGES against
mcbeIs Of the Neurological Society for which there was
NO truthful foundation. Certainly InOmeutOis aud
nhlant hropc question like that Of the proper care ana
cure of the unfortunate insane should be discussed IN
strictIy objective way. With the exception alluded l."
hail fhe repy of the Neurological Society rs step In
The ieht direction nasmuch Is the hrst attempt
made by experts cpigten tile puzzle rom piacica
nont OF view aud not Is too often the case, Ia INC
AGITATION of such subj 1cts by welmeaing but ignorant
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO mIsead thcm Ivy random theories or
nnfoundcd and hglI-struDR CONGRATULATIONS unurf-
stand that In view OF the more encouraging cOinposoi
M the nrPsent Legislature. another eau ior an VcslsF
non will be made and win better prospects OF sccess
Neu- York, Jan. "a 1850.