New-York tribune., 1888-03-25
CAUSTIC CRITICISM OF BLOOMINGDALE.


Mr.. CoNKLING CHARGES THE MANAGEMENi Win
SECRECY. ExTRAvAGANcE AND PARTIALLY.
The State Senate Committee On Taxation held
its third session yesterday at the rooms OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, In the Equitable Building
to continue the inquiry regarding the blooming
dale Asylum branch Of the Society OF the New-York
Hospital. Chairman Vetder and Senator Raines were
absent having deputed represent the Senate ~
the obsequies Of the Venezuelan exPresident oenerai
Paez therefore Senator Henry r. Low took the chaf
nanked by Langben and Foley. Colonel John
W. Corning OF the Senate ATTENDED 70
preserve decorum The usual OF governors Oh the
asylum present Dwight II. Olmstead and ex-sen
ator Bixby continued in the role OF "prosccuor ana
John L. Cadwalsder defended the management with his
usual tact and caustic zeal
After desultory wangle among the counsel as to what
had or had been proved, and might would could
or ought be offered In evidence the first witness OF
the day, ex-Congressman Frederick A. Conklng was
placed upon the stand and examined by Mr. Bixby
Colonel ConkliDg appeared in the peculiar position
officer Of the institution giving evidence with more
less apparent reluctance, against the management lie
said that he had been governor for thirty years ana oe
scribed It close corporation. which he thought was
managed with entirely too great degree Of secrecy The
Board Of Governors was an fmHerium In impero Many
Bixbys questions relating to the conduct OF the
hospital he could not answer he sad because although
governor he kept In the dark about the details NO
more quarters for the insane were to be found in
the world great difference In the treatment
patients II they paid well they were gorgeousy en-
tertaned II not they went down into the Bloomingdale
insane asylum Of Wards Island
He thought the Boomngdae Asylum ought to be re-
moved and the governors had been seeking
another site. The asylum was great disadvantage 10
property in the neghbohood the streets running through
1t ought opened yet to open Onehundreda six
teenths would serious matter for the asylum and IN
with the connections between the buildings Ihe
witness considered the expenditure there the most lavish
and extsvagant In the civilized world and he had had
large experience having investigated the subject Cross
examined by Mr.. Cadwsader Colonel ConklDg said that
he thought the celebrated opinions given by Senator
Evarts and Charles OConnor amounted to little, as they
were hired to write them, and paid $3.50 each far
doing They would have written Just as learned ana
able opinions the other side If 80 employed
The expenses the asylum he thought were too high
four times higher proportionately than In othef
asylums There too many doctors and attendants
The witness said that Joseph H. Choae, who is also
governor concured with him In many Of his opinions re-
garding the management
The witness had induced his brother ex-senator Roscoe
Conkng to invest s4s. 900 in property there and now
greatly regretted It, His brother might almost as well
have thrown his money into the river The asylum depre
cisted value Of property 1t was not In his opinion
charitable institution within the meaning OF the law No
male patient he thought had been treated there without
charge during the past Ave years
John Brewer OF One hundred and eghhst and owner
Of the House, Broadway and Twenty eighthst
was examined by Mr.. Olmstead- Mr. Brewer said that
he twenty-five lots near the asylum He consd-
cred that they deprecated in value by the
of asylum. People did not like to live in the neigh
borhood Of lunauca In cross-exsmnston he said that
property fallen there since the boom Of 72 Want
Of rapid transit had something to do with It, and the pres
ence OF the asylum had great influence also.
The memorallsts presented to the committee their pre-
pared bref which seeks TO sustain the eight points at
tempted to be established by the inquiry Comparison OF
numbers and expenses made between the City Asylum
for the insane Island and Bloomingdale, as
taken from reports Of the Commissioners Of Charities
and Correction and Of the NewYork Hospital for 1885
Average No. Onical Net
City Asylum +sgS +ses sSssSa $500 'SGs SIssSi sS7
Xyersss COS. for each patient: -.
bISomInsdsie iss % 200 90 sos ot
The committee is asked to report the Senate that
be passed o. subjecing the Bloomlngdaie Asylum 70
State visitation C2) that the Bloomingdale real estate out
side of One hundred and sxteethst One hundred and
twentethst Tenthave. and the Broadway Boulevard be
subject to taxation m that One hundred and nteeth ana
and sixteenth sts be opened through the
asylum grounds; ~ that the unatcs Of Bloomngdae be
removed outside the city limits within two 49, that
afer such removal hundred and seventeenth One
and and One hundred nineteenth ss
be opened through the asylum grounds
Kuian Van Rensselaer, OF No. Sc Wallst testified that
between Ffty-nnth and hundredan tenth sts. on
the west side assessed valuation OF property had In
creased 600 in the past five or six years. but that
there was growth above ehundred-snd- -Nnth-st.
owing tho asylum being there II was an "sppaHuon'
he said, which damned the whole west Side.
Alderman Alfred II. Conking son Of Colonel Conkiing,
and nephew ex-senator testified practically to the
effect the preceding witnesses regarding the enec
on real estate He said the Common Council had
taken no action regarding the asylum since he became
member OF the Board At the conclusion OF M Conk-
Iine's testimony the memorisists rested and Mr. Cad
wasder began his opening for the respondents but the
COMMITTEES decided 70 close the session for the day. and
without proceedng further adjourned Saturday
CONGRESSMAN WHITE WILL NOT RUN AGAIN.
Congressman 8. v. White in . letter to Andrew d.