Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-11

combination, the madness of mobs, and ]
that the armed volunteer soldier. behind
the civil officer, is the least costly and most
reliable conservator of the peace.
On seven separate occasions during the
present year military aid has been employ
ed to reinforce the civil pOwerin preventing
public disorder and violence. The call for
such aid has always been promptly respond
ed to. and the mere presence of troops has
never failed to have the desired effect.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
The subject of agriculture. in whatever
aspect it may be viewed is of the greatest
Importance to the State, not only because
the greatest number of her citizens are en-
gagged in it, but for the reason that its
prosperity will materially affect the success
of all other interests would therefore
call your attention to the report of the
efficient, active, and jealous Commissioner,
as well as to that of the Board of Agricul-
ture. The important subjects of imml-
grafton, drainage, and roads have all re-
ceived intelligent attention. In some por-
tions of the State agriculture, horticulture,
and pomology are more advanced than at
any previous period, while in other sections
particularly in the purely grain growing
areas, the progress has not been so great.
The remedy for some of the existing evils
will be presented to your bodies in the
shape of bills requiring legislation, apd l
am certain they will receive your careful
attention and the prompt passage Of laws
necessary to promote the success OF those
engaged in agricultural operations.
The Department of agriculture is man
aged with Judgment and economy, its
whole cost to the State for the past two
years being only So, 424.61-a sum insig-
nificant when we consider the great bene-
fits to be derived from the united and in
telligent action of those directing it. Pros
porous farmers mako prosperous State
and every suggestion which can promote
their interests demands, and, feel, will re-
ceive your faithful attention.
THE INSANE AsyLUMs.
The State has no more sacred duty to
perform than that of caring for the insane
within its limits. The three asylums for
white lunatics and the asylum for colored
lunatics are all filed to their utmost ca
paeity and two hundred white and nearly
hundred colored Inmates are outside of the
walls of these asylums, watched, guarded,
and cared for as well as it is possible to do
so while awaiting admission to them.
Under ths law I have succeeded in es-
tablishing temporary asylum, known as
the ''Pinel Hospital" on the outskirts of
the city, for the treatment of colored
patients, and l have been trying to get a
suitable building and have it arranged for
the white insane as temporary abodes until
such times as they can be admitted to the
regular asylums, but the great importance
of sending patients as soon as possible to
the asylums cannot be over-estimated.
Statistics chow that under prompt and
intelligent treatment only about 30 per
cent. become permanently diseased; but
where this is not the case and the expert
ence of medical knowledge and attention,
SO necessary, is rot applied in the in0pient
stages, &C per cent. become permanent
charges to the State.
I would cali the attention CT the Legisla-
ture to the report of the superintendent OF
the asylums, known as Senate Document
No, TX, which contains some wise recon-
mendations from those who ought to know
most about the subject. ] agree with that
report that the State ought to be divided
into three diviaiens for the white insane,
and that, as far as possible, each asylum
should be required TO keep their section
free frcm these unfortunates, SO thatSno
insane person should be permitted to go
&c the tails. AS there is only one asylum
for the eoiored race it must of course draw
from the whole State. It is natural that
undesirable patients in one section of the
State should not be taken by the aayiGm
situated in that locality, If they can fill any
vacancies existing by taking the more
promising patients from other districts.
also recommend that the State should
build, when able to DO SO, annexes for the
homeless, chronic, and harmless insane at
each asylum. Buildings for this purpose
could be chsaply constructed, and that in
itself would relieve these institutions and
make room for the insane now out of the
asylums. There might, too, be separate
buildings to accommodate the epileptic in
sane, the most dangerous and incurable of
all forms of insanity, who are generally
lifelong inmates of asylums. This would
leave the main buildings free for the treat
msnt OF that class of patients with whom
restored reason is not hopeless.
The number of patients at present in the
four asylums of the State are as follows:
Eastern Lunatic, 1917; Western Lanatie,
G77: Southwestern Lunatic, 371, and Cen
trail Lunatic, 581.
The reports Of the superintendents of
these asylums and the Board of Directors
will give the details of their management
and show that the public affairs intrusted
to their hands have been successfully adj
ministered, while they point out the best
methods to pursue to increase their useful
ness TO those having the power to put them
in force.