The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-18

Annual Report of the board Of Di-
rcctors of the Central tColorcd) Lu-
matte Asylum.

Tcetors Oh inc eeufrni ta0lOrcdD Lu-
matte Asylum.
The following Is the report Of the Board
RICHMOND, VA, October q, 1881.
To His Exceliency Governor +. W. VI. HoI-
iidoy:
Sir,-The Board Of Directors Of the Gen.
tral Lunatic Asylum present their report
for the fiscal year terminating Goth Septem-
Der, 1881.
Your attention II called to the report OF
the medical superintendent, presenting in
detail all the operations Of the institution
during the past year.
The failure in farm products Is due 10 the
unpropitious season through which we have
passed. TIE same diligence was exercised
by the farmer experimenting such opera
tions as has heretofore characterized his
service.
The particular features Of the superin-
tendents report, to which your special at
tention is called, are the financial condition
Of the institution and the lease Of the pro-
perty on tchich our buildings are erected.
The small appropriation made during the
session Of the Legislature in the year when
that body was assured that $4,000 would
be required for the support Of the asylum
cntailcd upon us n debt Of S9,3S4.12, which
has been n drawback upon us ever since.
The failure OF the Legislature to pass
any appropriation bill at its last session de-
yolved upon this directory the necessity Of
deviSing some plan by which the institu-
tiOn could be efficiently carried on. After
several conferences held with your Excel
lency, the Auditor, and Treasurer, and the
president OF the Planters National Bank,
we effected an arrangement which enabled
us TO conduct the asylum i'm a way TO rem
der it still more efficient than ii ever has
been.
We have emptied all the ials Of colored
lunatics, responded to and received all
proper applicants, and although crowded
now, hope still to supply accommodations
for any new patients.
The saving to the State has been large.
We are now supporting the inmates at
thiTty-ninc cents day, whereas their eX-
pcnses in the iails were upwards OF one
dollar day.
The Board respectfully recommend that
special fund be appropriated by the Le-
gislature to deiray the necessary expenses
attending the reception and discharge OF
patients, so that the fund usually appropri-
ated to the asylum for the support and
maintenance Of the patients while in the
asylum be not diminished to the extent
which has been heretofore the case.
In the arrangement with the Auditor and
the banks the asylum has been charged
with interest on the notes given, said inter-
est deducted from the face OF the notes.
These amounts should lie refunded to the
asylum.
For the support OF the institution, with
the largely-increased number OF patients,
we respectfully ask an annual appropria-
tiOn of goo, 600.
As to the lease OF this property, the
Board are emphatic in the declaration that
il would be mwise, and certainly unjust
10 the owners OF the soil, to again condemn
the property for the use OF the state. IN
der the existing condemnation we can re-
tain possession for three years. The state
in that time will bave ample time TO per-
feet arrangements for erecting apermanont
asylum. We ask that bill be passed THIS
session providing for permanent location
and suitable buildings. The suggestions
Of the Superintendent are wise and practi-
cal. Accommodations should be prepared
for at least five hundred patients, the build
ings so constructed that they may be added
to, securing additional accommodations
without impairlng their symmetry
For this purpose we ask an appropriation
Of S20O,0OO, distributed through three
years paying two instalments each year.
We respectfully recommend that the lo-
cation OF the new asylum should be near
the capital Of the State. The reasons Tor
such an opinion can be given to commit
tee OF the Legislature.
The Board desire to express their cordial
and hearty endorsement OF the excellent
management Of this institution by The medl-
cal superintendent and his assistants.
To the other officers we desire to express
our appreciation OF their efforts III the dis
charge of their duties. and to assure them
that they have fully realized our eXpeeta-
tions. Respectfully,
j. &. CABELL, President,
On behalf OF Board of Directors.
uovpuENT OF THE POPULATION.