Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-24

The operations of the Warrington Asylum
Tor the last fiscal year are embraced in the an
nual report Of Intendent W. H. Stoutenburgh,
which was submitted to the Commissioners to-
day. The daily average number Of persons
cared for during the year, the report states, is
somewhat less than that of the year previous
although the cost Of maintenance is slightly
increased, owing to the increase in cost Of many
articles Of daily consumption.
The aims house ID in o fair sanitary con-
dition and is not uncomfortably crowded in
summer, although in winter il is flled to such
an extent as to endanger the health of the in
mates as well as their lives, for in case of fire
the old decrepit people on the top floors would
have but small chance Of escaping. The
recommendation Of last year flor the enlarge
ment OF the present structure or the building
Of new one is repeated. A new structure
could be built for $500, Mr.. Stoutenburgh
says, and he trusts that the Commissioners
Will bring this matter before Congress, as he
considers this one Of the most important i'm
provements that could be made at the institu-
ton for the comfort and safety of all who
are admitted to the institution. Attention is
also called 70 the fact that the kitchen is too
smell and an addition should be built to ac-
commodate at least four boilers. This would
cost "a 900. A refrigerator of about five tons
mates would coet in the neighborhood of q, 500
DECREASE IN NUMBER OF PRIsoSERs
The slight decrease in the daily average num-
Der of prisoners confined in the work house
over the previous year he accounts for by the
large number who have availed themselves Of
the good-conduct time allowed by the recent
act OF Congress, which allows five days of each
thirty for good conduct during imprisonment
The number released during the past year
under this law was 1,OO9. The number of days
maintenance saved to the institution BY such
release was 9,285.
Referring to the male work house he says
the present building is entirely inadequate for
the proper confinement Of the large number Of
persons 1t is called upon to shelter. At present
there are 2l3 male prisoners within its twenty
SIX small cells, an average of over eight per-
that nearly all Of them are turned out in the
open air at work during the day disease and
pestilence would be sure to prevail. The build
Ing, he says, is faulty and behind the age No
two prisoners should be confined in the same
cell, and at least $50 cells should be erected in
moment
FEWER SMALL BOYS.
Continuing, he says: II am glad to state that
the number of small boys committed has been
much less this year than usual. and credit this
W tno ueeeTulueu euOrI Oh tue HON. john w.
douglass. president Of the board of Commits
sioners. District Of Columbia, to prevent send
ing such cases to the work house. Judges
Thomas F. Miller and Ivory G. KimbaI Of the
Ponce Court have also exercised the utmost
caution before sentencing boys brought before
them by the officers charged with slight offenses,
often giving them a second hearing and send
Ing out for information concerning them be-
lore pronouncing sentence. / beg leave to
tender my personal thanks to eacr Of the gen.
tlemen above named for their efforts in trying to
place these boys in the Reform School and pre-
vent their being crowded into this in ,titution.
VALUE OF DAYS LABOR.
The number of days labor furnished the Dis
trict in grading streets, cleaning the markets
work on the farm, &C., by the male prisoners dur
ing the year and the estimated value of the same
is az follows: In grading streets-Number Of
days work furnished, 22.776, which at 81 per
day amounts to 500, Number of days
work furnished by prisoners acting as officers
1870, at an estimated rate of $3.50 per day.
amounting to 81, 1855. Horses belonging to the
District worked 1,O64 days, which at 81 per
day amounts to q, O64. In cleaning markets.
&C., the prisoners worked 1895 days. which
amounts at 81 per day to 1895; prison
ers acting as officers worked 155 days,
which, II paid 81 30 per day, would amount to
S232.5O and the horses worked $40 days, which,
If paid 81 per day, would have earned $500
6,244 days on the farm, 6, l40 days in the laun-
dry, l.S42 days in the sewing room, the entire
number earning, il paid regulation wages, $685.
1850. During the year farm produce was
raised, which. II sold at the ruling market
prices, would have brought in S3,S21.95. The
to Sl7l.02 making grand total Of the amount
earned by the institution OF az. 82S.E.
THE FEMALE WORK HOUSE.
The female work house, the report states, is
in good condition except being overcrowded
which will be remedied by the building Of an
addition equal in extent to the present build
ing, for which an appropriation Of SIS, 900 WAS
appropriated by the last Congress and for which
proposals have been received.
The condition of the inmates has much i'm
proved the report states. since last year, which
house. The labor of the female prisoners con-
sists Of washing, scrubbing, making clothing
for the inmates and as walters and cleaners at
the other branches of the institution. While
they are valuable in these capacities they bring
in no income and the work Of the institution ia
not sufficient to keep them all at work. In this
connection Mr.. StOutenburgh recommends that
some suitable employment that does not COM
pete with honest labor be instituted to prevent
idleness and consequent mischief and bad con-
duct while under confinement.
THE HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT..
The hospital department he says has been
much improved, and as soon as the new surgi-
cal and maternity ward, with the contemplated
dining room, can be finished it will be we'll
equipped, except a ward for white men, which
is much needed. The new bathing room which
was built last year adds materially to the COM
fort of the inmates.
Attention is called to the smallpox hospital.
located now in part of pOtters field and it is
recommended that it be removed to some more
isolated portion of the District or else it be de-
stroyed.
During the year 564 coffius were issued on
the order OF the health officer and coroner. 65
OF which were used at the institution. During
the year there were 627 burials in potter =
field.
Attention is also called to the insuficiency of
the number OF guards and the meager compen-
sation allowed for their dangerous, disagree
able and laborious duties. There are five over
seers who receive 5000 per year and the same
number OF watchmen who receive but 1865 per
year. The number, he says. should be increased
hundred Fer cent in each class, and the sal
aries of the former increased to $3.50 per an
mum and the latter to $500 per annum.
Tables containing statistics and particulars
relating to the persons received in the different
departments Of the institution, together with
an account of the expenditures for mainten-
ance, salaries, &C., are supplemented, together
with an estimate of the amount required for
the conduction Of the office the next fiscal wear.
and the report OF the physician in charge Of the
institution.
He estimates that an appropriation of S99. O4O
will be necessary for the next fiscal year.
DIR. BovEE's REPORT.
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