Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-13

ment and conservative dividends, Will IN.
sure security" But laws will be of no avail
unless they are enforced. The Inspector OF
finance should be given ample power, and it
should be made his duty, to enforce the OBJ
servancc of the law A mere report from
year to year that certain banks do not en-
trely comply with the law will never REM
cdy the evil.
The suggestions of this officer are not to be
taken MS Indicating dstrust or criticism of
the way in which the banks are managed {;
on the contrary, they are mainly intended to
point out the steps already taken by our old
est and soundest institutions, and which, in
his opinion, should be followed by all.
state Banking Law.
Should the National government continue
the payment of its bonds at the present
rate, the securities, on which resi- over slfty
per cent of the national bank notes. VIII pc
extinguished within the next four years. In
this event, it is not impossible that existing
corporations may avail themselves OF the
provisions of the State law. Hence, THIS
law should be carefully examined, and be OF
such a nature as would afford absolute Sc
| curity to notc-holdcrs.
Insane Asylum.
| The management of this private charity is
a credit and an honor to the State. It's per-
centage of deaths and rccovenes compares
favorably with that of similar institutions
elsewhere. Its trustees are scrnpulously
faithful to their trust. Dr. Goldsmith says;
''The most searching inquiry has failed to
find that single dollar of the millions
which have passed through their hands has
| ever been misappled or unaccounted for
The superintendent, Dr. Draper, is com
mended in the warmest terms by
those able men who in past years have
severely criticised the construction OF the
asylum and its fitness for the care OF the in
sane, and to whose efforts, in directing at
tention to the matter, much credit is doubt
less due for subsequent improvements. Dr.
Fassct says: "Dr Draper is an educated,
intelligent man has had many years expert
ence in general practice and in the care OF the
insane is Il man of good judgment, KIND ana
humane in disposition, devoted to ms probes
sion, jealous and earnest lie further says
1--WE are convinced that the food OF the in
mates is abundant and of good quality. The
entire institution is kept very clean as com
pletely 50 as any asylum in our knowledge,
The inmates are decenty clothed. and thciI
clothing, as well as their persons, is kept
carefully clean. The most perfect good order
prevails throughout the entire hospital
Kindness and gentlencss, sol far as they are
consistent with mechanical rcstraintan scclu
sion, are everywhere apparent. We believe
that no cruelty or harsh treatment on the
part of attendants is ever permitted II
known" The present supervisors say
1--WE believe the superintendent, his assist
ants, aud employees generally, to be eminent
ly fit Tor the business in which they are en-
gagged, ard we are quite sure that there shoult
he no dstrust of their kind and faithful care
of all who are put in their keeping"
During the past few years, the trustees
have expended large sums in enlarging ant
improving the asylum. They have addcc
ventilation by means of steam fan new
heating apparatus, a gymnasium, workshop
new and extensive park and Summer retreat
billiard, bowling, and reading rooms, whlIt
every ward now opens to light, air ana sun
shine.
1t will thus be seen that nearly every cause
for structure has been removed, and that the
institution deserves, and should receive the
unreserved confidence OF the people.
One remaining source Of complaint lies ii
the fact that the inmates are too numerous
for the hest good of ALL
Insane Poor.
| This unfortunate class deserve our deep
est commlseration and generous care. Bu
common sense and reason should not be lei
| behind in our action for their relief, TIT
State should not be burdcned with the sup
port of transient poor from other States, o
of those improperly committed by towns
The supervisors in their report say tina
some town authorities send to the asylum
all their paupers who are in the least dement,
| cd idiotic or vicious" 1t has also heel
clearly charged in several previous report
| that many persons ure confined who should
be taken care of by the towns from which
they came. This is great wrong to thos
towns that deal Justly with the State in thi
respect.
Under the law giving the supervisors tn
right to discharge all persons who shou
not he inmates, they have discharged twenty
five, and say they would have sent man
more but for fear they would become TIL
lawful prey of the historic poor house. be
levc the towns, as rule, treat their pauper
with humanity and kindness, and that thu
historic poor house lisa mere tradition, au,
that the harmless, incurable insane would re
ceive no injury from being returned to thci
respective towns. The supervisors havin
the power, it should be made their duty,
purge the asylum of every such inmate.
this were done, there would be abundal
room for the best treatment of those VIII
remain This distribution of the harmless
insane poor among the aims houses has bee
adopted in other States with favorable TT
suits, as regaads both health and expense
With the greatest respect for the abilll
. and high character OF the supervisors, | ca
not pass without comment their views on
The Law Relative to the Insane.
After quoting from the repor, OF the pr
8 vious board of supervisors, that 'the inca
e In
would he an mpossibility in Vermont" the
say GAS the law now is, such II thing,
2 our opinion, would be by no means ditlcu
|. The law allows Il
casrlss opinion of two physicians to send an
e person to an asylum, and from this there
: no appeal. Whose dog would we kill wit
g out more sanctity and better evidence Al
G vet an overworked. nervous and senslti'
s woman, If she becomes disagrecable to {
o unfaithful husband or other interested pc
son, may be sent to an asylum by any w
inexperienced ignorant or designing ply:
Clans
X The law reads as follows "Scc. 300
e No person. except hereinafter provided, shf
e be admitted to, or detained in an insane RS
n lum as u patient or inmate, excep, upon Il
certificate of such persons insanity, maj
by two physicians OF unqucstioned integri
10 and skill ~
- "Sec. 2907. Such certificates shall be ma
- not more than ten days previous to the Il
DO mission of such insane person to the asylul
~ and, with certificate of the judge of pr
I'd bate of the district in which the physici
resides, that such physicians are of unique
toned integrity and skill in their professio
DO shall be presented to the proper officers
% the asylum and the time such person is pl
t. scented for admission"
"Sec. 20OS. The certificate of the ply
Oo clans shall be given only after II careful {
90 animation of the supposed insane pcrs
made not more than five days previous
making the certificate and u physician W
signs a certificate without making such {
oo animation, shall, if the person is admitted