New-York tribune., 1886-03-21
THE B1ooMINGDALf ASYLrN GROUNDS
A STATEMENT FROM The SOCIETY," OF THE NEw-
YOEK HOSPITAL.

A STATEMENT FROM The SOCIETY," OF THE NEw-
YoEK HOSPITAL.
On account of recent publications il the
newspapers in regard the management Of the New
York Hospital Bloominedale Asylum and tie pro
posed orenng of streets through the asylum grounds
the BOARD Of Governors of that society have issued
Abatement or which the following Is part:
The Society of the New-NOrk Hospita was chartered
on the l3th Juue l17l, to erect and naut1ll hospital
IN the CITY Of New YORK for the reception ana Ic e. C
sick and diseased persons, the care ana management OF
which committed to Board OF l"sHty-'A
governors, 10 be selected from the mocI5 OF
The c0rD0ration. In 1878 a site WIS purcAascd IN
broadway, between Worth and Duane STE ana le eIrG-
ton OF hospital building W"s al once U'EoA Hl4oA
wa. not COmY.e-e and occupied uhtA lAt month 70.
%6ysrifa in the civ Of Now York and FOR a longer
uerod the only asyum Tor the insane III inc Stdc anu
Tbe nI-scnt attack upon the society being espec y
directed against the boomined@le Asylum ii ls ne,'s-
sary 10 briefly as possible the ""F d"he
its hospital proper FfteenthsL and at the House Of
IigI nrx M SIS there were treated the Of the
hospital 3.JOs patients, OF whom over - per cen, were
nonpayiug cosug me socley fo"2t ~ a. rnT I,TTS,
cost In Tie patient department 5s"6 patients were
od ATcfcieBt training school for nurses, the besJ
medical library in the country and very YaIaa'ie
uathOloglcal cabinet maintained al the hospital al
iarge expense. At tho Chambers s,Toc, House
treatment OF accidents aud other em-fgencJ
cases 2G92 patients were treated N tue wards aud
- al IN tle out-paent department This service Is
entirely free and cost the society nearly 722O"o ~
rosnonded 10 nearly 1000 calls during the year, Ia
addition TO making tie necessary transfers OI ptlchlS
ft h House Relief to other LOspii AIS OF 10 Their
Ioncs This brief statement VI the amount and ch.rac
ter f the work OF the society ia two hospitals Ia con
sdered sufficient 10 show tAat II 10 lWpoit8lt anu !n
nensaL work that mu3J be done BY sOmel ody and tat
if NOT by THIS society, must become charge uYOu the
ctv TO "A much greater amount than the taxes LOu
which 10 IS now exempted a., ,--,.,-
Iue recognition sud encouragement by me Leglsla
,c for long series years. OF the WORK OF the society
~ goouu cdae shown by repeated grants OF money
~ mo epticn from taxation OF its properly ana iHe
c-osog OF streets trDu lis grounds warranted tHc
CoyrTHors I'm relying the continued protection of me
~ money have been expended in the erection OF ne"
buidtuRs and the repair and lnproN cmchJ OF tho
whole shmeut To Keep IL Iuy Up 10 the LePHI'
.euts of tho most improved and scientific methods Oh
treating mental disease. This expenditure VIII he 10
~. Ios II The PROPOSED opening Of streets through It's
grounds because the area OF lana al present
suoOsed is absolutely necessary FOR the roper secuoh
recreation and OF the patients ana serious cur
taiIment OF that area by cutting streets through IL
taxation Of the property used in the treatment Of ~ pa
tents would reduce by the amount Of the TAX the hht
OF the asylum patients unable 10 pay Ic lu
cost Of their treatment as II now does ana has Always
done 10 tho extent OF the means at It's disposal II s
ouite plain that the money required TO pay taxes can
not be used for the support OF patients
believe that the alleged pubnc demahu
r ,be a4atiou the asylum and for the opening OF
the streets through It's property has been greatly eiaI-
oerated nv parties who desire and expect pecunlaTy
rodt from the destruction OF the hyuD ana they ask
careful acrutuy the Legislature and the pubic OF
the obiscts and motives OF those VINO are prominent III
nTyinS these measures in order that IL may be seen
vLetler they unsorupulOusy advocated IOf the
public good OF for private greed