The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-04-09
ASYLUM MANAGEMENT.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
MAKES ITS REPORT.

Full Text of the Pnpor.-I:ad Food-.Trag-
dies Too Frcquent-- Cross Negligence
Charged. The Govornor's onor to the
Official.
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 2.-Thc
long awaited report of the comm ttcc
appointed to investigate the State Luna
tic Asylum has at last been completed
and made public. The committee COM
pleted the report yesterday morning, af-
ter something over q weeks work, and
the members have gone home for the
present. AS will be seen below, this
report Of the committee shows some dis
closures of surprising nature, and it is
stated that they arc i'll possession of
worse ones.
The preliminary report was handed to
the Governor yesterday morning, and
last evening he gave it to the press. II G
was asked what action he would take in
the matter, aud he said: 81 expect to
have such parts Of the testimony as bear
directly on these matters transcribed
from the stenographer's notes. and they
will be held subject to the inspection of
the General Assembly. Further, l
would say that the Regents and officers
OF the asylum will be gwen hearin if
they desire 1t, after which L will take
such action as will seem necessary to
remedy the evils complained of.
Here is the report IN full
COLUMBIA, 5. g.. April |, 1891.
To His EXcellency B. r.. Tillman, Gov
ernor:
AT the last session of the Legislature
committee, of which the undcrs igncd
are members, was appointed by concur
rent resolutions, with power and iustruc-
tions to make inquiry into and to report
to the Legislature the condition OF the
lunatlc asylum. This committee has
performed its duties SO far as practicable
at this time; and We deem it both q coul-
tesy and q duty to transmit to your En-
cellency an outline of the manner III
which the work assigned has been done,
together with the results III Il general
form.
|. 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-bcing, direction and
control OF this institution.
2. AS the time in which the inquiry
was to be made was limited, we asked
your EXce]lcncy to employ stcnO-
grapher, having in view also the farther
consideration that our findings or recon-
mendatons sh, uld bc based upon 4 full
hearing, which has been obtained and
which is now Il matter of record with the
committee.
3. II was the design Of The committee
that its investigation should in no sense
be open to the cons .luction Of an eX
parte proceeding. this fact being i'm
pressed at aud during the examinations.
We, therefore, examined, under oath,
all those concerned in the management
OftheinstitutiJn, and those whose duties.
directed by such management, with an
eye at all times to the Official and per-
sonal responsibilities to the wards Of the
State.
4. The scope Of our investigation in
cluded in general terms:
First. The duties Of the superior Of
ficer and the manner in which those du-
ties, were discharged. basing our con-
cluslOns on the rules and regulations
governing such officers, their own evil
deEce, and the evidence Of attendants
and employees past and present at the
asylum.
Second. AS to the internal economy
of the institution and al Of its auxiliaries
intended to contribute to its mainten-
ance.
Third. The relation of the number of
Offices and attenants to the result ac-
comllishcd, and to be accomplished. with
special reicncc to the equitable distri-
button of work and compensation.
Fourth. The expenses Of the various
departments, as obtained from the cor
rectaccounts and from oral testimony.
Fifth. The efficiency and value to the
intn NF I
the asylum. as compared with manage
ment OF rigid economy and regard
for and proper development of its ways
and means ofselt-support.
S. In order TO deal intellgcntly with
these grave questions it was necessary to
take great mass Of testimony, the dcpo-
nents in all cases from past or present
connection with the institution being
familiar in verying degrees with the sub
jects under examination.
6. After most thorough examination
we find that the inmates, or patients, so
for as we can earn, arc treated humAucly
by the attendants and with sympa-
thetiC consideration for their unfortunate
condition. We have investigated several
cases ofcrueitics from patient to patient,
and several cases Of violent, dcplorable
deaths. but these misfortunes are not, in
- our Judgment, charGeable to dcrcliction
of duty on the part of the attendants.
7. We find that there is q great diver
sity OF opinion among the attendants
and other employees as to the quality
and sultableness OF the food provided
for the inmates and for attendants and
employees. There is great deal of tcs-
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 arc not
such as might be expected, considering
the liberal appropriations made by the
Legislature for the proper maintenance
Of the asylum.
8. We find that reprehensiblc latitude
ofconduct and absolute freedom from
restraint have been permitted to patients