San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-05-10
Mismanagement Of the Lunatic Asylum
Mt Austin... Proposed Reform.

In ourlast we referred to the article
of DR.. Denton in the April number of
Daniels Medical Journal on the
Management and Treatment OF the
Insane in Texas" 1t is devoted in
part to a review of the general man.
agement of the Asylum, which has
been assigned as reward forpartisan
services. We append the concluding
portion of the article, also the action
of the Austin District Medical Asso-
citation at the last meeting on the
notorious abuse therein set forth:
It will be seen from the foregoing
brief history that during the thirty
years, since the erection of the Asyl-
um, there have been no less than fif-
teen separate and distinct admins
trations of its affairs. Its history
consists of little else but a succession
of changes by the appointment OF
new superintendents with each change
in the executive Office of the state.
1 doubt if there is another institu-
ton of this character in this, or any
other country, that can present such
a remarkable series of changes OF ad-
ministration in the institution above
recited. not only q change of superin-
tendent, but almost the entire work
ing force of the Asplum. As soon as
a new governor is installed the asyl
um is placed in the hands OF stran-
gers without experience, and untried
in the delicate duties of treating and
caring for the insane.
It seems strange that an official OF
such exalted dignity and power,
should be so unmindful OF the wei
fare Of six hundred human beings, or,
on the other hand, so ignorant OF the
wants, necessities and interests OF q
great institution OF this character, ns
to wilfnlly place it in the hands OF
strangers, who, whatever may be
their disposition or capacities, are un-
fit for the charge, for want OF exper-
ience in the care of tho insane.
Doubtless some Of these change were
iudiciously and properly made; but
majority of the superintendants re-
ceived their commission as reward
for political services, without regard
to merit or fitness for the trust. AS
above stated, the eighteenth legisla-
ture attempted to remove tho insti-
tuition from the influence OF party
politics and place 1t in the hands OF a
Board of Managers, whose intimate
relations with the asylum and ample
opportunity to observe its internal
management, rendered it's members
well qualified to supervise
its affairs and to appoint its resident
officers. But it has proven practical
ly inadequate to protect the institu-
ton, which for more than quarter
of century, has been periodically
bartered and transferred with as lit
tie scruple as trader would transfer
a herd OF beef cattle.
In the interest of more than six
hundred of the most helples and deep
ly afflicted of the human race; in the
name and in the interest OF the peo-
pie of Texas, whose friends are lodg-
cd there, I appeal to this Society and
to the medical profession of Texas, to
use its great influence with the law
making power of the state, to estab-
lish for our asylums a permanent gov
ernment, which may only be changed
''for good and sufficient reason"
Our unfortunates who are confined
there are unable to utter their com
plants. They are beyond the pale
of law. Their voices cannot be heard.
1t is our especial duty; though unso-
licited, to use oil honorable efforts to
procure the passage of an act remov-
ing this great charity from the influ-
ence and power of the politician and
place it in the hands of a board OF
managers who shall be held RESPONSE
BILE for the welfare of the institution,
and who may only be removed for
good and sufficient cause.
Until this is done the wretched in
mates of a great institution, founded
and endowed by our fathers for their
care and protection, will continue to
be in the future, as in the, past barter
ed and transferred like sheep in the
market, and will continue to be at the
mercy Of inexperienced and unquali-
fed persons, incapable ofgiving them
such treatment as their condition re-
quires and demands.