Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-04-23

EaNt Misslsslppl AsyIum--The New
Broom SWamps Clean.
Meridian News, 10th.
The new board Of trustees for the
East Mississippi Insane Asylum met
for the first time on Tuesday after,
noon at the asylum, and gave matters
a general investigation and thorough
%overhauling.
The appropriation for the fiscal year
beginning December l, 1886, was CAS-,
900, and for 1887, $4,000. There was
a proviso attached to the a%ppropria.
ton for 1886 which requires that all
the expenses of the asylum should be
paid out Of that fund.
1t seems that the salary $4,000, Of
the Superintendent was overlooked by
the Legislature and no special provis-
ion made for its payment. By direc-
ton of the former board of trustees
this was paid out of the support fund
and about $1,000 additional for con.
struction and general furnishing pur-
poses. This represented about the
debts of the asylum on the 1st of De-
cember.
Since about September l, there has
been a debt created for the support of
the Asylum, including pay-rolls, cloth
ing, provisions, coal and other necessa-
ries, up to April l. $25, 944.48. A war
rant was drawn for this amount by the
present Board Of Trustees at their re-
cent meeting. In the last appropria-
ton bill the Legislature requested the
Attorney-General Secretary of State
and Auditor to audit all the outstand-
ing claims against the asylum, which
was done on the 9TH inst, with the ex.
ception of a claim of $65, which was
considered al overcharge.
The new Board of Trustees at their
first meeting, with the view of re-
trenchlnent and a desire to reduce ex-
penses so as TO come within the appro.
priations, made the following changes:
Assistant physicians from 500 to SIS;
steward, from 500 to SIS. requiring
him to perform the duties of farm
manager, who was dispensed with en-
tirely, thereby saving $50 per month.
Matrons reduced from $40 to $35,
seamstress not reduced; carpenter from
$50 TO $45; Waterman from $40 to $35;
fireman from $50 to $25; assistant
steward from $50 to $25; supervisors
reduced from $50 to $25; male attend.
ants reduced from $25 to $22. so; fe-
male attendants reduced from $22.50
te$20; other female attendants reduced
from $40 to SIS; two farm hands re-
duced from SIS to $12 so; one reduced
from $25 to $40; one reduced from $25
to 500; cooks, one reduced from 500 to
SIS; hack driver reduced from $40 to
SIS; dining room servant not reduced.
SIS; mixer from $40 to $40; teamster
from SIS to $3.50; baker from $50 to
$25; washerwomen, $40 per month.
In the reduction Of the provision
account, the amount of flour was
changed from thirty barrels per month
TO tWenty-one barrels, but the quantity
Of meal was increased fifty bushels
additional; amount of bacon increased
and fresh meats decreased about one
third.
The monthly payroll was reduced
from 1928 per month to 1920. For
the remainder of the fiscal year, say
from April 1st to December 1st there
will be about $l5,00i to meet current
expenses.
The trustees are gratided to know
that the superintendent is in full sym
patty with them in their desire to
place the institution on an economic
basis, ard they believe they can get
through without incuring extra liabil-
tiles.
They are also fully cognizant of the
fact that the unfortunate inmates of
this institution will necessarily be de-
prived of many conveniences which are
used in other asylums and which
would materially add to their rapid
improven ent, but under the meagre
appropriation of the last Legislature
they can do no better than conform to
the views of investigating committees
who seem to think the East Mississippi
Insane Asylum can get along somehow
with small appropriations.
We are grati6td to state that Gov
will meet them hereafter in
their deliberations as President of the
board of Trustees.