The Press., 1885-06-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washinotnn D C. Lnr

Washington, D. c., June IF, lSS6.
 The charity congress has been in session here for a week discussing methods of dealing with paupers, prisoners, inebri- ates, lunatics and emigrants. The Salva- tion Army has taken quarters here for an indefinite time, and the visitors with their spells make mp a long list daily, which is awaited with interest. The startling oc- currence of the week in Washington, how ever, was an electric shock to the Wash ington monument. The lightning knock ed off corner of the capstone and split a block of marble four feet long in twain. Consequently, the lofty structure is again surrounded by scaffold, and is undergo ing repa1rs. Soon after the accident! 8 commission of scientists made careful ex- animation of the electric apparatus of the monument and pronounced its condition to be perfect. Still, to prevent the recnr- renee of similar accident, they agreed that additional collective points for the lightning were needed. In order to ar range for this copper wire net work will be made on the summit, but as the wires will be only 8 quarter of an inch in diam- eter, it is thought they will not be visible with the naked eye, and will not, there fore, mar the beauty of the surface.
 The charity convention mentioned above has just closed. It was an important one, and the delegates, representing thirty-two states and territories, pronounce 1t the most successful annual conference ever held by the association. Among the specialists who made addresses was Dr. Godding, superintendent of the government asylum for the insane. His views are destined to command wide attention because of their new suggestions and the weight which the opinions of so distinguished an authority cannot fail to carry. He proposes com .plete revolution in the architecture of in sane asylums and in the management of in- mates. He would have patients classified and treated according to their varying de- grees of lnnacy. He would have structures built to shit the distinctive necessities oi each group, altogether apart from one ar, other. Gases that require seclusion should be wholly secluded. Cases that are con valescent should be subject to influences promotive of convalescence The moody and depressed should see no sights and have no sounds calculated to aggravatt their condition. The victims of chronic insanity should be kept apart from those acutely demented, and so on through the eight classes into which Dr. Godding di vides tfiem In no case would he advise the erection of building two stories high and he strongly condemned ostentatioui architecture, built at the expense of tht welfare, comfort and recovery of these pa latial institutions. He wonld have. a. vii lage, rather, with its separate streets anf houses, each under. peculiar discipline ant peopled with peculiar patients.
 i "A letter. telling a rather remarkable story has just been received at the treasury de pertinent, ill which was sent large sum O money for the conscience fund. Tn, writer, was telegraph operator, who, II 1866, while making 2 voyage from Nev York to San Francisco, formed friend ] ship for fellow passenger. On arriving