The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-04-08
ASYLUM MANAGEMENT.
IHE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
MAKES ITS REPORT.

MAKES ITS REPORT.
Full Text of the Paper-8ad Food-TraG-
die. Too Frsquent-Gross Negligence
Charged The Governors Offer to the
Official.
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 2.-The
long awaited report Of the committee
appointed to investigate the State Luna
tic Asylum has at last been completed
and made public. The committee COM
pleted the report yesterday morning, at
ter something over weeks work, and
the members have gone home for the
present. AS will be seen below, this
report CT the committee shows some dis
closures Of surprising nature, and 1t IS
stated that they are IN possession OF
worse ones.
The preliminary report was handed to
the Governor yesterday morning, aud
last evening he gave it to the press. He
was asked what action he would take IN
The matter, and he said: II expect to
have such parts Of the testimony as bear
directly on these matters transcribed
from the stenographer's notes, and they
will he held subject to the inspection OF
the General Assembly. Further, I
would say that the Regents and officers
of the asylum will be gwen e hearing II
they desire Il, after which [ will take
such action as will seem necessary to
remedy the evils complained of.
Here is the report in full:
COLUMBIA, S. c.. April l., 1891.
Tc His Excellency B. r. T;llman, Gov
ernor
At the last session of the Legislature
a committee, of which the undersigned
are members, was appointed by concur
rent resolutions. with power and instruc-
,;crs to make inquiry into and to report
to the Legislature the condition OF the
,unanc asylum. This committee has
performed its duties so far as practicable
at this time; and we deem it both coul-
tesy and duty to transmit to your Ex-
cellency an outline Of the manner IN
which the work assigned has been done,
together with the results N a general
form.
l. We invited the Governor OF the
State to attend the sessions of the COM
mittee, recognizing in you the highest
constitutional authority in all matters
affecting the well-being, direction and
control OF this institution
.. AS the time in which the inquiry
was to be made was limited, we asked
your EXcellsncy to employ a steno-
crapher, having in view also the further
consideration that our findings OREGON
mendations sh, uld be based upon full
hearing, which has been obtained and
which is now matter ofrecord with the
committee.
3. II was The design of the committee
that its investigation should in no sense
be open to the construction OF an ex
parte proceeding. this fact being I'M
pressed at and during the examinations.
We, therefore, examined, under oath,
-Au .thnea, cer,cc-rn1 in tha, management
ottne institution, and those whose duties.
directed bv such management, WIN an
eye at I'll times to the official and per-
sonal responsibilities TO the wards OF the
State.
4. TIE scope of our investigation in
cluded in general terms:
First. The duties Of the superior Of
fcer and the manner in which those du-
ties, were discharged, basing our con-
clusions on the rules and regulations
governing such officers, their own evil
derce, and the evidence Of attendants
and employees past and present at the
asylum.
Second. As to the internal economy
Of the institution and all ofits au1iliarles
intended to contribute to its mainten-
ance.
Third. The relation Of the number Of
Offices and attenants to the result ac-
com,.lished, and to be accomplished. with
special resence to the equitable distri-
button OF work and compensation.
Fourth. The expenses OF the various
departments, as obtained from the cor
rect accounts and from oral testimony.
Fifth. The efficiency and value to the
State of the methods now practIced at
the asylum. as compared with a manage
ment of rigid economy and regard
for and proper development OF its ways
aud means ofself-support.
5. In order 10 deal intelligently with
these grave questions it was necessary to
take great mass of testimony, the depo-
nents in all cases from past Or present
connection with the institution being
familiar in verying degrees with the sub
iects under examination.
s. After most thorough examination
we find that the inmates, or patients, so
tor as We can learn, are treated humauely
bv the attendants and with sympa-
thetic consideration for their unfortunate
condition. We have investigated several
cases ofcrueities from patient to patient,
and several cases Of violent, deplorable
deaths. but these misfortunes are not. IN
our judgment, chargeable to dereliction
of duty on the part of the attendants.
I. We find that there is great diver
sity of opinion among the attendants
and other employees as to the quality
and suitableness Of food provided
for the inmates and for attendants and
employees. There is a great deal of tes-
timony. especially in the male depart
ment, going to show that Objectionable
meat are often served, and that there
are other articles of food which are not
such as might be expected, considering
the liberal appropriations made by the
Legislature for the proper maintenance
Of the asylum.
s. We find that reprehensible latitude
ofconduct and absolute freedom from
restraint have been permitted to patients
considered by their keepers and attend
ants as violent dangerous and murder
ously inclined, which condition OF
things has resulted directly in the
6ea!h. of patients and the unnecessary
maltreatment Of others. These trage-
dies. We find, were precipitated by