New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-06
AN IMPORTANT asylum INVESTIGATION

THE NEED OF A THOROUGH INQUIRY INTO THE
AFFAIRS OF THE MORRIS PLAINS ASYLUM
The following circular has been issued by the
Board of Managers OF the State Charities Aid Assoca-
ton Of New-Jersey:
The Board OF Managers Of the State Charities Aid As
ISOLATION of New.Jersey deems It fitting its
own constituency the Legislature Of the snte and TO
the public generally its deep OF the importance OF the
ordered by the Legislature and already begun
by committee Of the and definite charges which
have been against the management OF certain depart
ments OF the State Asylum Morris Plains The State
NewJersy than forty years has had reason FOR
pride satisfaction in its reputation for the care and
treatment OF the insane asylum at Trenton was for
long its completion unsurpassed In the United
States in the facilities provided the excellence OF Its man.
agement general reputation and when the insatu
ton OF Morris Plains thrown and It's penencen
work fairly begun IL conceded to have put the oate
once more in the foreground
Travellers foreign countries no less thah vlsors
from different States official unofficial have without
dissenting voice. acknowledged the superiority OF the
Site architectural grandeur and completeness OF tho
buildings the heahfulness OF the location and the mag
nncence Of the to the generosity OF the State
The number Of inmates steadily increased until now
including the employees and officers town OF more thah
1000 persons comprehended within its spacious walls
Notable as its exterior aspect IS little rehecuon makes
clear the misery need OF such an Institution I'm
niles and suggests the comfort which its proper manage
men may mpart Here the incurable those not yet
hopeless and the convacscent Besides these are many
who though unfit TO be large have long PERIODS OF
nationality and others who able to know where they
are and whether they are well Ill treated Many OF
the inmates come from the best families wife mourns
husband husband his wife parents their children ana
children think sadly upon father or mother there con-
fined.
Rumors have years been rife OF improper rooo
and attention demorazed employees OF taxation OK osc
pne Of differences growing OF these things between
the medical corps and the general domestic establishment
OF the inoxcaon OF certain employees ana OF such con-
don OF things create the greatest concern In inc
minds OF the friends OF the inmates to raise douo as 70
influence Of the institution ana 10 arouse ess
that those detained that they might not nufe te
selves or Others may be the victims OF fi'treatment
The attention the members Of the Committee OF the
State Charities Aid Association on Hospitals ana Asyus
has been called them Equally unable ana unauthof
considered what course to pursue attract the attention OF
the Legislature the matter and were about 70 lake uo
cided action when tho present investigation arose.
The object Of this publication Is possible 70 hcresSe
public interest in the matter concentrate the attention
OF the press State the proceedings OF the COM
ttes that testimony may be forgotten in the lapse
Of time that neither political personal friendship may
diminish in any degree thoroughne Of the examna-
ton and that these rumors and allegations may be sfed
to the bottom and dproved or effectively
remedied
(Signed)
Rev j. M Buckley D. D. Mrs VIM Roscoe Lyon
Geo. Wetmore COLES, j. c. Pumpeliy' 80
Mrs Gao wetmore Colles Miss Mary Cockburn Smith.
Rev. Albert Erdman, d. D.. Col Edwin A. stevens
Miss Mary S. Gummere, Mrs Benz. ~unamsonsf'
George S. Wylie.
Morrstown. N. j.. April 20, 1888.