New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-28
REMOVING THE PAUPER INSANE.


Thanks to the efforts OF some local phllan-
tbropists and the Republican majority Ill the
last Legislature. the insane poor of this state
are at las, in the way of beng humanply ana
intelligenty cared for The law which trans
fers them from the custody OF the counties TO
the guardianship Of the state is now III erect
Not all Of its provisions will become operative
until all The patients are removed: but the ilS'
important steps have been taken. and the H'ate
Commissioners show commendahlc diSp"SI-
ton to energetic action The state has been
divided into seven asylum districts. each COM
poscd of several counties and the weekly
charge to the counties for the care of patients
in State institutions. pending the provision vi
accommodation for all. has been fixed at Il very
low rate. The I.nnaty Commission has. more
over, issued an order iorbidding the acceptance
in public aSyhm> of private patients ana 'he'i
partnership in benefits Intended only lor the
Door. save under exceptional circumstances, ana
has prescribed needed regulations governing the
transfer Of the insane to the State asylumS.
The practical working of the new law VIII
no watched with interest. There is not the
least doubt as TO it's genuine benefccncc. and
OF this those who most strongly oppose IT are.
we believe. firmly convinced The absence oi
any opportunity for official rapacity at the eX'
penSe of the patient. sklfnl medical super
vision. improved classification and better io"".
clothing and shelter ar" among the advantages
cntaed and repetition OF the stories OF
brutality and neglect. too nearly resembling
those which aroused the sympathy ot Pin'i
will be rendered almost impossible. Inc
minute instructions formulated by the state
Commission show i f0rcthouSht ana Solirifnhc
which preclude apprehension as to the car" "f
the patients in transit. Th"S" charged win
their removal are required 10 SEQ that they al"
property clad. To select the shortest pIariicahir
route f,l the journey. to avoid mechanical re-
>;ran,. ami 80 feed them al stated lnt"lNa!S.
If the jonrncy is broken over night. they are
not to be confined in Jail. police station 81
lookup, and particular emphasis is laid on the
provision Of the law requiring that women pa
ticuts shall be &c comlnnlcd by atichdani> al
their own scX.
The strength of the antaG"ni$m TO tn" i'-
form. which it Is thr,atc,rl may NOV" for us
repeal by tho next Legislature. W" sincerely
hone is ovcr,aicd. Nothing could bee nloic
contcnrp,ihlo than a @r"d which prey Oh
crashing affection and WEinn> because Is "l-
uor,uni,y is spoiled. The friends of the c"'nty
system prove too much. Their showing that
human beings are maintained in county poor
houses at a cost or 81 NC n week each is n
veighty argument in favor oi a new regime.
while the comparative insicni!icancr OF the
EXPENSE involved in NOR" generous treatment
appcals az once TO all but the mD>i giovc'l'ng
and Sordid The appropriation nc"ded I" pro-
vide additions t. the state a>yluinS is ">ilIlaf"l
a $500. 900 Even if this should be opposed.
The cd system would SON die ont for want OF
new patients. the law hcn- :" framed that
even the lack of funds will not frn>trat" lis
nrnN >iullS