The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-11-11
KoLcE fRoM he AskLuA.

The attention Of the Enquirer~Sun
was recently called to notice sent
out to Ordiuaries 10y Superintendent
Powell, OF the state lunatic asylum,
advising them that no more patients
could be received until Vacancies,
occurred by reason Of the discharge Of
some of the unfortunates already in
that institution, The fact appeared
that the institution was crowded and
present accommodations exhausted.
The Enquirer Sun, in commenting
on this matter made the statement
that this crowded condition of the asy>
lum was not OF recent occurrence. but
had been the situation Tor several
years, and deplored the fact that the
Legislature, after protracted session,
had adjourned without taking some
action IN the premises. The sueges~
ton was made that perhaps, in the
large number OF inmates OF the insti.
tuition, there were patients who could
be safely discharged, and possibly
others who were not legitjmateIy
entitled to the bepefts OF the ASYLUM.
This suggestion was emphasized, for
the reason that numbers Of adiudged
Iunatics who could not be accommo.
dated at the asylum have been con.
fined in the common jails OF the State.
unfortunate, truly and perhaps dan
gerous, but not criminal, awaiting
prospective vacancies.
The Enquirer-Sun containing this
publication apparently did not reach
Supt. Powell, or any of the trustees OF
the institution, but, providentially, it
passed within the walls OF this great
public charity and fell into the hands
OF gentleman, well-known 10 Geor-
gia, whose recent misfortune and the
solicitude of ismily and friends had
consigned to the care of the institu-
ton. The mails yesterday brought
from him an interesting and startling
letter which we publish below, and to
which We invite the attention of Gov
ernor Mortimer ana the trustees OF
the asylum, to the end that such an
investigation may be Instituted into
the representations therein made as
seems proper:
INSANE ASYLUM OF GEORGIA. Mn
LEDGEvLLE, GA, October "a, 1891.
Editor Enquirer-Sun: Noticing
your editorial in the Enquirer-Sun Of
October %, ! have to say that there
is no lack Of accommodations here
for inmates, if the rooms are vacattd d
by those who ought to be sent off.
There are hundreds here now who
would be better off at home than here,
who, if they were insane, are now re-
covered and are a useless expense to
the state, and are anxious to get of
if they could be discharged. " by
they are not sent of ] cannot con.
ceive, unless it is because the author
tiles here are unwilling to let them
90 as long as they can keep them here.
The trustees meet here on the 18th
inst, and If they would take the time
and trouble to examine each patient,
they would fnd hundreds that could
he discharged, so that room could be
made Tor those all over the state who
need care and attention. Many are
put here who ought never to have
been received. and others have recov>
cred since they came and are not in IL
condition to be kept longer. Ii you
wish TO render the state great SER
vice, and at the same time be of great
pa4 9y5agp ttf II a4rtei2q EdHf 81 class Of RAE
ment, and if the trustees:do not reme>
dy it the legislature can be invoked.
] will read your article to the truss
tees next Wednesday and will tell
them what they should know, and !
have some knowledge, because | was
Attorney General under Colquitt, and
l ought not 10 have been sent here as
lunatic, but it was done to please
my relatives. Yours truly,
r. N. ELY.
This letter was mailed at Canal,
post marked November 5, and was
evidently sent out OF the asylum by
the writer through friend, to whom
the delay in posting it is probaly at
tributable,
Ordinarily, communications from
persons situated as the writer OF the
above, would receive but little atten
ton. But in the present instance
we are convinced that the matter is
entitled to official consideration. The
writer has held distinguished position
in Georgia, ard has many friends who
sympathize with him in such mis-
fortune as has overtaken him. But
whatever condition secured his ad,
misslcn into the asylum, the letter
speaks for itself. 1t is clearly and
intelligently written, such as might
be penned by any intelligent, sane
person. Ifmatters are true,a as charged
in the letter, steps should be prompt
ly taken that would relieve the asy-
| lum of such inmates as are not a lie.
Ultimate charge upon this charity.
and room made for those worthy cases
which are now in urgent Iced Of
the care and treatment of this institu,
ton. Columbus Enquirer-Sun.
AAfATT Aro r,op,, oF Tho oou,,t