Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-17
ARE WE CIVILIZED,
A Letter Upon the Caring OF Lunatics In
West Virginia

Letter Upon the C1rinE OF LuuShtCs ~
West Virginia.
To tSe Editor Of he RsgiSser:
The above query, Are We Civilized"
may, at 6rst blush, strike the intelligent
reader with some degree Of amszement, but
when the reasons are given for propounding
the question, the answer to it must neees-
sarily come back, that, st least, our civiliza-
ton does not appear to be of the highest
order known to Christianized world.
II is true in almost every community,
temples are erected and dedicated to God,
where our Christian people meet regularly
10 DO reverence to the adorable Savior Of
mai kind, in every county temples of justice
stand as monuments of law and order, where
the rights of men are weighed in the bal
ance and Justice meted out to all, whilst
all the various institutions of learning are
provided and protected by a system Of laws,
where the minds of the youth of our State
are cultured and fitted for the various vo-
cations Of life, yet in the face Of these facts,
q christian and moral sentiment that should
pervsde every civilized community, with all
our boosted wealth and intelligence, seems
to be sadly wanting in the State Of West Vir-
giDis. The fortunate people Of our State seem
to have but little sympathy for the unfortu
nate. mean by the fortunate those who are
blessed with health Of mind and body, and
By the unfortunate | mean the Opposite,
especially those who, from all the various
causes, have been dethroned of reason. We
have in the State of West Virginia popu
lstion of nerly 800, 900, and of this number
800 are to-day sdjudged lunatics. Over
600 Of these poor unfortunate, helpless crea-
lures are crowded into our little Asylum for
the Insane at Weston-perhsps one-third
more than can receive that treatment that
simple humanity demands, and the re-
msinder are imprisoned within the
lily ventilated, gloomy and filthy
cells of our county jsils on an equality with
the most degraded felons This state of
affairs has existed for years, growing worse
and worse each year, and without any pal,
hating circumstances whatever surround
ing US Our State is wealthy, prosperous
and virtually out OF debt, and has been for
years. Our conduct in this particular is
simply shameful, q disgrace to State pride,
and q Disgrace to humanity. Many of
these poor, helpless, insane creatures now
writhipg in the filth of the dark and dresry
prison cells of our county jsils, without
nurse, without q word or scene 10 comfort
or to cheer q disordered mind, are females
and anterior to the reinforcement OF their
reason were pure and virtuous women.
Now, are we to remain quiet and silent
spectators of such unwarranted brutality as
this2 Are we to forever tolerate such brutal
reatment-especislly toward our women
treatment that we would scarcely tolerate
the preparation OF toward the lower brute
animals? To these poor unfortunates
should be offered every attention, every
comfort and every requisite that would aid,
or tend to aid, in the restoration of both
mental and physical health, and Just to that
extent we are inhumsn in our conduct If we
fail TO do II. Our Legislatures have
met and adjourned, from time to time with
out doing anything worthy Of the name of
an effort to remedy this evil.
When bill, asking for an appropriation
for the building, besutifying and adjoining
of a State capitol, in order that it may
please, attract and win the admiration of all
corners and goers, both natives and foreign,
ers, is pending before one of our legislative
bodies-the orators among them, distinguish
themselves by display of their oratory and
patriotism, in advocating q prompt and
speedy passage of such bill-this principle
Of State pride is prsiseworthy, but does not
atone for their apparent criminal
negligence, when, per chance, bill looking
10 the comforts Of that unfortunate class OF
humanity (bowever, not very po-
tentjal as q political factor is pending,
their voices seem to be shfed-they are as
dumb as mummies-snd when the vote is
called for, overwhelming defeat appears to
be the inevitable result.
However, our last Legislature appointed
3 committee to look out q suitable site tor
the erection of another State Hospital for
the Insane, whose duty it will be to report
to our next Legislature the result Of Its In
yssiigation. If this committee wait until
the next regular meeting Of our State
Legislature, it viii be about eighteen months
hence, and then if favorable report as
to- some particular location be msde aud
adopted, il will be, perhaps, another eighteen
months before the said report is carried into
effect so as to accommodate those for whom
L is intended. In tie meantime what viii
become of these poor unfortunstes nov IN
the county jsilsf The answer is, they will
have perished in consequence Of sheer crim-
nal negligence. The immediate remedy
would seem to be the calling of special
sess;on of our State Legislature to provide
Ion the necessary temporary relief, until the
necessary permanent relief can be effected
We knoE not how soon or when, out Of the
many causes Of insanity, that some one
ss dear to rs as 9 mother. sister. wife or
dsughtsr. may become subject for an 10
zane hospital Then / put the question to
you: Would you be willing for this one 30
dear to you 10 be placed in hthy, dark
dungeon with all classes of criminals2 IL
not, then exert yourself in the agitation Of
this subject of such vital importance until
public sentiment becomes 80 strong in be
balf of this reforrstion that even dema-
FrS ues will bow to it and bring about
speedy relief 10 those already 20 sadly az
hicted, and provide all the requisites for
I Ose whom similar misfortune may befal
spyesl TO you Is Christians, I appeal to
You a. sinners ] appeal to you ~ Demo
Gratis. appeal to you IS Republicans, sp
peal to you as patriots. appeal to you as
philanthropists. and appeal to you a. dem
gogues in behalf OF this class OF suffering