The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-04
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1890.
Yur VIRGINIA NORMAL AND COL
IEGIATE INSTITUTE.

IEGIAII
The appointment Of Joint commi''e'
~ the General Assembly to inquire isto
the expediency Of converting the VIZ
eiuis Normal and Collegiate Institute
~ Petersburg into an asylum for the &C
comodation Of the colored insane, now
confined in the jails Of our towns and
counties, is a step to be commended III
the very highest terms, as one from
which a great benefit to the State u
likely TO follow. The Commonwealth
!. under far moro obligation to remove
all negro lunstics from the different
,,,ls TO proper establishments, where
their needs can be attended to with q
view 10 a complete restoration 10
health. than to 20 on preparing as
teachers individuals Of the same race IN
educational institutions that can be
abolished without ssnsibly dimin''hing
the supply Of teachers owing to the
nresence in the State of other intslsu-
iicps Of a similar character.
II is Of the most vital Importance that
the strictest economy shall be consult
ed by the Commonwealth IN ali ito
financial measures, aud in every ease
the passage OF such measures should DO
deferred TO the last moment that 10 con-
sistent with sound policy. The time
has come. however, when the most
ordinary dictates OF humanity require
that adequate provision shall be made
for The colored insane to BIO found out
side Of our asylums. How is that pro-
vision TO be nader The first condition
is that it shall DO made in a manner
that will accomplish tho object in view
satisfactorily, but nevertheless entail
the smallest expense possible upon the
pecuniary resources of the Common
wealth. IL would Seem even before
the committee appointed reported, that
the proposition OF Nj. Csboll, en-
bodied in the joint resolution
which he recently offered in the
House, was well adapted to ensure
proper quarters for the colorsd insane
now unprovided for, and at the same
time diminish to a most sensible de.
gree the amount which it will be nsees-
sary for the State to pay out. There 49,
40 far as can be learned, little in the
history Of the Virgins Normal and
Collegiate Institute at Petersburg that
would cause its conversion into an in
sane asylum for negroes to be regretted
in the light OF the true interests of the
race. 1t is likely to accomplish far more
good as an asylum than az an educa'
tional establishment, and for that rss-
con il for no other, no serious objection
can be advanced to the proposed
change In its character.
This State has already taxed itself
far more than could be reasonably ex-
pected OF it, to improve the general
condition Of the negroes, and when the
hour arrives. as 1t has now done,
10 draw still more heavily upon the con-
tents of its Treasury for the same pur
pose, it should rather seek TO attain
this end by readjustment OF the in
comes already allowed various es-
adjustments for the advancement Ct
the race, chan by the creation Of an en-
tirely new charge upon its resources
The latter would certainly be the
case if Ar. Peasants proposition
TO appropriate sixty thousand dollars
10 enlarge the Central Lunatic Asylum
were finally adopted, instead Of the
proposition of Dir. Cabell, which would
abolish the Virginia Normal and Col
legiate Institute, aud convert its whole
property into an asylum for the colored
insane. 1t is to be earnestly hoped that
the report OF the committee will be
highly favorable TO the practicability
of such a conversion, and this, we are
disposed to anticipate, will be the con
clusion OF it's members on examination.