Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-28

Visit of the Legislative Committee to st
Peter-The Hospital ScrupulousIy Clean,
and Patients Carefully Provided for, but
Observation-Disclosures for Rebuilding &
the Burned Wing-A Total ApprOpri-
alton of $3.50, ,926 to be Asked of the Leg
isIature.
Special Telegram to the Globe.
ST. PETER, MINI Jan. 27.-The State asy lum
for the insane was visited to-day by Senators Wheat
Wedge and Miller and Representatives Gearey,
Kneeland, Bookwslter, Gardner, Brsley, Porter and
sheardown of the legislative committee on insane
asylum The visit of the standing committees to
the State institutions usually iTied to such in
spection the managing officers may suggest, and
the time ed in them does not allow of inqur-
ing into the details Of the management. On this &C
casion the visitors were relieved from feeling of
responsibility for the inevitable mis- sion of strict
investigation by the fact that the task of invesfga-
ton has been given to special committee, charged to
inquire net only into the origin and circumstances
of the fatal fire in the north wing of the main asy-
um, butsalso into the treatment Of patients and all
other affairs of the asylum. Their visit was therefore
pleasant and they enabled to give their time
and thoughts to the consideration of legislation
needed on behalf Of the asylum.
The committees w re first taken to the buildings
in the village. Ordinarily about eighty five male pa
tients have been qusrtered here but at the present
time the number is TO-. Additions and improve
ments have from time 10 time been mado at these
buildings, but they cannot be made fit for asylum
purposes. They were sc1upplousiy clean through
out, but the narrow halls and passage ways, steep
stairs, lack of light and imperfect ventilation were
at cnce noticed. The sleeping apartments are
crowded W tn bees.
After dinner we were conveyed 10 the main asylum
bulldog were taken through all the wards ofi-
and work rooms. The corridors and
passage ways of the asylum building
ID.
Here cleanliness of walls floors and furniture
was supplemented by pure air. The patients, too,
appeared In better condition. There was some
crowding of sleeping rooms In some of the wards
but not the suggestiveness of discomfort.
The burned out walls of the North wing are matters
Ct interest to the committee. 1t is evident enough
that the wing must be rebuilt early as possible and
that then there will be lack Of room if the in
of patients goes on in proportion the popu-
aon of the State. 1t appears to be necessary that
when rebuilt, it should be made nearly fir proof
as possible, and that alterations should be made II
other parts of the building, to lessen the dangers
fire.
the Kankagee, Ill, hospital, the trustees estimate
that the North wing may be rebuilt, practically fire
proof for $4,000; for furnishing the SAME, Sl20CC
IL asked, and $4,000 is asked for heating apparatus
plumbing and gas fitting, total of Sl32, 900. Add
tional building appropriations to the amount OF
600 asked for increasing and perfectng water
supply and for alterations in hs building and
south wing to lessen fire dangers. For current ex
penses the trustees ask for 1881 being for the
support of eco patients being average of le pei
capita per week. and for 1882 S1047 being for The
SUPPORT of 650paents at the rate per capita pei
week.
FOR the second hospital at Roche ster Sl0SO76 il
asked for building purposes, and S97370 for support
of 2l8 patients in 1881. and $50 tients in 1882.
There is no escaping the conclusion that ihese
estimates reasonable, and that it wouli be bad
policy to reduce them below their aggregate OF
S578946 for the two years, that is II proceed or
the theory that the State is to provide for al insane
who may be committed to its asylums under the
present laws. tits indeed probable that more build
ings will be nesded in 1873 than now proposed by
The trustees, and that pending buildings, there
will be inconvenience at the asylums from over
crowding, while many iDsaue persons will be but
badly cared fer = county jaiis and pocrhous g.
But it may be possible to limit future expense in
this direction by revision ot the State laws rela re
to the insane, with view to requiring, pror to per
manent commitments to the asylum strict inquiry
into the personal and family history of the person
committed, to learn whether he has besn sent
to Minnesota from some other State country to bt
imposed on our charity, and to learn whether hi:
relations are not able to support him. In connection
with this requirement authority should be given the
probate judges to send back insane persons shipped
here from other States and countries, and also t
essess and collect from relations the cost of main
tanning insane members of the family. The extra