Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-26

short Session But Considerable BusIness
 Transacted-A Visit to the Asylum for
 the Insane at Middletown-Other Mat
 ters of Interest.
 HARTFORD, March 9, 1881. Especial Correspondence of JOURNAL AND CoURIER.l
 Although the attendance at the Capitol was not large to-day, yet considerable business was transacted. As will be seen by our sum mary, several matters of more or less impor- tance were disposed of.
 The Committee on Cities and Boroughs have not yet made report concerning the proposed annexation of part of Fair Haven to the town of New Haven, nor has the final vote on the matter been taken. There is no certainty that the report, when it is made, will be unfavorable, though the probability is that it will.
 There were no committees in session this afternoon, it being virtually agreed yesterday th1t the members of both houses should visit the Insane Asylum at Middletown. Both Senate and House adjourned shortly after 12 o'clock and proceeded to the Valley railroad
 epot, when they took cars for Middletown for the purpose of visiting the Insane Asy- lum There were about two hundred persons persons on the train, and on reaching Mid dletown carriages were found in waiting to transport the visitors to the Asylum. On reaching there they were received by Dr. Shew, the superintendent, who, after brief time, conducted those present to one of the wards on the floor above, where tables were spread the entire length of the hall which were amply provided with 8 substantial lunch. Chaplain Thompson occupied the head of the table. There was abundant pro- vision for all, and many of the ladies who waited upon the tables were patients under treatment at the institution. Had this fact not been made known by Dr. Shew no one would have supposed that such was the case. He informed your correspondent that those thus employed had taken deep interest in the visit during the day and had materially assisted in arranging the tables, which were handsomely decorated with flowers and pro- vided with most desirable lunch or dinner. After all had been most bountifully provided for an inspection of the main building was had under the leadership of Dr. Shew, who ex- plained to the legislators as the several wards were visited. An immense building nearly one thousand feet in length was thus visited the wards where the most violent as well as those where the quiet patients are confined being visited in turn. In the lower wards where the more violent patients are confined there was considerable excitement when the visitors entered. Some sang, others cried while others still shouted, ''Hurrah for Ould Ireland" leading one to think they must be | members of the Land League" It was 1 sad scene, however, to see over five hundred l men and women partially or totally bereft ot reason, with no hope for many of ever beins l restored to home and friends Tor clothed anc ! in their right mind" After all the wards hac ! been visited the visitors were conducted to thu | chapel, where Dr. Shew made brief remarks | in which he stated what had been accom- 1 plished and what was still needed After thi l the new building, intended more particular l ly for incurable patients, was visited Thi has been erected during the past year at cost of S12O, GOO, ,and it is not yet completed but will be ready for occupancy within fev | weeks, when the doctor thought, there would be ample room in the institution for the in sane from the entire State, which has no
 been the case heretofore. The trustees asl for an additional appropriation of SIC, ,OO' this year for the purpose of securing bette
 protection from fire, adding to the furnitur,
 of the new building, the purchase of nor COWS, etc., etc. The visitors going south lef the Asylum in time to take the train on tn
 Branch" road that leaves MiddIetown fo
 Berlin at $40 p. m., while those going nortl
 took special train on the Valley road a
 4:3O.
 About $75O, GOO has been expended by tn
 State on this institution, which is consideret
 one of the best in the country.
 Following is a summary of the bushes
 transacted to-day. |