Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-03
Visit TO the Insane Asylum.


Br'dgman and Stafford, and Representatives Al
len, Adams, Towsley, Smith, Judevine, Kidder
and Searle, together with Doorkeeper Skeels,
Representative Thatcher, Mr.. North Of New
Haven, Mr. Scion Burroughs OF the Burlington
Free Press, and your correspondent, arrived here
yesterday afternoon and took up their headquar-
ters at the Brooks House
The committee held an informal meeting In the
evening, Senator Cook ia the chair, for the pur.
pose.of coming to a more perfect understanding
Of the nature OF their duties, to obtain informa-
ton respecting the asylum, and to fix upon n plan
OF proceedings Senator Bridgman suggested
that the committee should make careful exam
nation relative to the criminal insane, and ex-
pressed his views at length Senator Cook
thought that the price paid by the state for the
care OF all the insane In this institution was also
proper subject Of inquiry. 1t was then decided
to invite DIR. Draper, superintendent Of the asy-
lum, and Governor Holbrook, one of the trustees
to take part In the deliberations. These gentle
men accepted the invitation, and, after an intro
duction to the several members OF the committee,
Senator Cook asked DR.. Draper II any legislation
was desired by the officers and trustees Of the
asylum. DR. Draper assured the committee that
He then proceeded to say that there were at pres
ent ten convict and ten criminal insane In the
asylum. The convict insane are those convicted
Of crime and sentenced to the state prison, and
while serving their sentence became insane, and
are committed by the directors Of the state prison
to the asylum The criminal insane are those
who, having committed crime, are sent by the
courts to the asylum after being acquitted on the
ground Of insanity These two classes are rad
ically different and should be kept apart DR..
Draper explained, at length, the difference, and
said the asylum has no proper quarters for the
convict insane DR.. Draper said that the number
OF ten convict insane has never been exceeded,
and he thought single ward in the state prison
would be all that would be required for them
They are class who do not recover, and they
should not be confined with other insane on ac-
count Of their immoral influence.
The criminal insane, said DIR. Draper, should be
classed with the innocent their chances for re-
covery being equally good. separate institution
is not required for the convict insane Suitable
provisions might be made In connection with the
state prison for So 90 per person. We, continued
Dr. Draper, take pains to keep the convict insane
from durable persons. The individual expense
per week for keeping an insane person is SO So,
cannot be kept for less and do them justice. We
have three classes of patients, one is supported
by friends, one by the state and one by towns
DIR. Draper concluded by saying that applicants
from Vermont have never been refused II legally
sent, but the asylum is not under any obligation
to take them.
The general public know much regarding the
early history Of this institution that we will not
occupy space by repeating it here. We will say,
however, that this state has from time to time
made liberal appropriations toward the support OF
the asylum, the aggregate amount being not far
from $4,000. or the four hundred and forty
seven inmates now here In the asylum three hum
dred and twenty nine belong to Vermont. The
average number in the asylum for two years past
has been four hundred and fifty-two The trus-
tees claim that the number Of inmates from other
states has been steadily lessened to make room
for the increasing number from Vermont One
hundred and three of the inmates received from
Vermont during the last two years, are natives
OF this state. The largest number Of these and
of those admitted from other states were between
the ages Of thirty and forty, and seven are under
twenty years of age. The superintendent re-
CARDS the development Of mental arrangement in
early life as indicative OF tendency to the in
crease of insanity. Two-thirds Of those admitted
were from the laboring and agricultural popula-
ton. The civil condition OF those admitted shows
them to have been very nearly equally divided |
between the married and the single and the Wild |
owed. About one third were committed by |
friends and supported by private means and two |
thirds by the public authorities and supported by
public expense.
This morning at eight o'clock the committee |
were conveyed from the Brooks House to the |
asylum in teams provided by the trustees, and |
on their arrival at the asylum were cordially well |
coined by DIR. Draper, superintendent Of the asy- |
lum, and Governor Holbrook, Hon. J. NJ Tyler |
and DR.. Rockwell OF the board OF trustees. The |
committee were taken through the various wards |
Of the asylum and other portions of the buildings |
in use, and were afforded every facility and fur
nished with all information necessary to enable |
them to form an intelligent idea OF the workings |
Of the institution. For their opinion of the merits
Of the institution the public must look to their
official report. Personally, your correspondent is
pleased to say that the general arrangements and |
provisions made for the proper care of the insane
at this asylum are apparently all that the friends
Of the patients and the public can consistently |
foh vi SNPNS1' III ptr~iuS tutOush lHc WhIuh We |
observed the utmost cleanliness in every depart
ment, proper wearing apparel on the patients, and
extensive and highly commendable attention to
those embellishments and means of diversion
that are absolutely requisite to promote quiet in
the patients and ultimate recovery from their
teplorable condition OF mind. The culinary de-
partment is alone worthy OF visit, both as to
neatness and the general arrangements, embracing
every modern convenience. There are three hun
ired and twenty-five single apartments and
lightweight associate dormitories In the asylum,
giving, with possibly increased dormitery space
by duplicating beds, ace )mmodations for nearly |
five hundred inmates, including help, attendants,
etc. The ventilation Is all that can be expected
In buildings with low ceilings. This was the only
feature; but for this the superin-
tendent is not responsible The buildings are
warmed by hot-air furnaces. ventilating Chin
neys give egress to foul air by registers In each
ward
The surroundings OF the establishment are really
beautiful. The buildings stand on a plateau of
about twenty acres area enriched by walk nearly
a mile in length, bordered with flowers. There is
a fine flower garden, and the hedge which borders
the main walk from the street to the front en-
ltdncc - VI HbulOCk ana IN tne Hntst HtuRe
we ever saw. Grayeled walks, arbors, rustic seats,
a fountain, all go to make the grounds attractive
while extensive means are provided for out-of-
door recreation. The landscape view from the
asylum is simply magnificent one-hardly
equaled in the Connecticut valley.
Religious services are held on the Sabbath In
the beautiful chapel Of the asylum at three clock
in winter and half past three in summer. The
patients manifest great interest In the services and
are decorous in their behavior. Here the patients
nave Christian privileges, and the Christian SYM
pathy which all msn need. Dramatic exhibitions
are given during the winter by the members OF
the household, assisted by the young ladies and
gentlemen OF this village also, public readings
and sociables come in order.
The committee left Brattleboro tonight for their
respective homes, well pleased with their visit
One incident served to illustrate the impecuniosty
that characteriEes the actions of more than one
hotel-keeper In the world. but which we have
never seen elsewhere In Vermont than here The
leading hotels In Vermont are equal to any In any
section OF the Union, and we believe that no
other house than the Brooks House charges more
than two dollars per day while guests are con