New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-11
ATROCITIES 1T HOME.

The condition Of the paupcr insane on Black
wells, Wards and Harris islands is blisteriDg
disgrace. Ii stands in hideous contrast with the
general spirit and tendency and performance OF
the age. In former times the mnatic was deemed
to have no claim upon human pity and care
lie was slowly tomented TO death and society
gave scarcely a thought to his wretchcdneSS or
its own obligations. But We have been taught
to point out az one of the authentic tests and
proofs Of advancing civilization the almost uni
verSa acceptance of responsibility for the pro-
lection and comfort of these miserable beings.
And so it is. Their burden and our guilt have
been lightencd. The pnogress that we boast of
is not myth. Within the last two years the
state of NcwYork has put in operation new
system of control and maintenance at large OK
pense, and with the sincere purpose of doing is
whole duty. The results already are crcdtable
and hopeful
But here, ut our own doors, is shameful OK
ception TO this general rule Of humane intention
and endeivor The Mayors committee Of in
vestigauon has been the means of bringing par
tally 10 public knowledge a state Of things
which is shocking to every sense. We have no
wish TO exaggcrate. The treatment of the in
sane on the East River islands is not bad in every
particular. There is evidence that their food is
wholesome and abundant, and that they are oh
jccts Of watChful s0lictudc and even If tender
ness on the part of rot few of thcr attendants
The Commissioners of Charities and Correction
have been officially acquitted Of blame by the
State Commission in Lunacy. The trouble is that
knowledge and skill and conscience are almost
utterly defeated by the conditions against which
they are forced 10 contend. Some good build
ings there are, but all, good and bad, are over
crowded TO the verge of sufocation. The total
CAPACITY VI the Blackwclls Island institutions is
1 .O91; the actual number Of lrmatics huddIcd
there is 1s2i. The wooden payili0nS aIe per-
vaded by an intolcrable stencil. bu; in winter
fresh air cannot be let in through the windows
because the heating arrangements are worthless.
In cold weather it is impossible even 10 scou
them for the water would freeze on the walls
and floors. The beds touch each other all down
the sides Of the buildings, and the inmates hay0
TO scramble over the footboaro;s to lie down. In
these cold and desolatc and filthy quarters what
possible chance Of comfort or bcttcrmcnt exists?
But even this is not the last extreme OF NAL
treatment and misery On Harris Island the
conditions are still worse. TIE lmSy hcmlocE
barracks which were built for the temporary
shelter Of soldiers quarter OF century ago arc
now incapable even of keeping ont the rain.
Birds fly in and out through rents in the walls.
They are dilapidated that they scarcely even
offer pretence of shelter They are not tit to
keep cattle in. But, foul, rotten, freezing pes
tilcntial AZ they arc they the home of fifteen
hundred human beings. And just across n little
stretch of water is a great rich, prosperous gen
erous city.
We know well enough that New-Ior is COM
PEELED to bear more than It's share of the public
burdens Of the State. Plulers and crpples and
lunatics pour in upon us from all quarters to
beg or demand our care and support. We know
also that the problem of the insane in this city
is specially complicated. But these facts shall
not deter us from saying that the fortunes in
lllcted upon helpless and ptiabe creatures within
our jurisdiction are Inaccessible. And we charge
the Board Of Estimate and Aproronment with
| criminal ignorance or heartleSs cruelty, as they
may elect. In either case they are directly re-
sDonsble for atrocities which no humane person