The evening world., 1892-02-19
LAWS FOR LuNAT|cs' BENEFIT.
Legislative Measures That Meet
Official Opposition.
Senator Nc Mahon's Bills for the
Protection of Insane Patients.

The two bills introduced in the Legislature
las. week by senator Mcmahon, at the In
stance OF the LuEacy Law Reform League,
which have been printed in full In THE EVEN
,sa WoRLp, are causing much discussion, es-
pecially among those interested in the care
md treatment OF the insane, both In public
and private institutions
rhc Bill which provides means by which
all insane patients confined in asylumS or
hospitals may communicate at certain inter-
yals with friends outside without having
their correspondence pass through the hands
of the asylum authorities Is very wide In Its
scope. and applies equally to all Institutions
in the state. either public or private, where
there are insane patients.
The measure provides that Insane persons
confinement shall be permitted at least
nce In every three months, to write to some
erson, who shall be designated at the time
of the admission OF the patient to such an In
stitution, and that such correspondence shall
be subjected to no censorship whatever. A
penalty Is provided for the punishment OF
any superintendent, attendant, doctor or any
other person connected with an institution
for the insane who shall neglect or refuse to
comply with such regulations as may be es-
ablished TO this end.
The second bill applies only to such institu-
tlOns as are supported entirely or partially
by the state, and aims TO protect the inmates
against cruelty or harsh treatment by the
asylum authorities by placing such institu-
ions entirely under the control OF Boards OF
trustees, who are required to visit the asy-
ums at least once week and carefully In
spect the premises, giving particular atten-
tion to the manner in which the inmates are
cared for and treated.
Advocates OF these reforms expect to meet
vigorous opposition, and 1t Is evident that
steps are being taken to fight both the bills
when they come up for hearing In the legis-
lative committees.
President Ii. II. Porter, OF the Board OF
Charities and Correction In this city, said to
all EVENING WORLD reporter:
"All the institutions under our charge are
conducted in such public manner that no
abuse OF the patients is possible. They are
visited by hundreds OF people every week,
and do not believe 1t Is possible for patient
to be confined in any OF our asylums who Is
not really insane.
while am strongly in favor OF any meas
ures to ameiorate the condition or the un-
fOrtunates In insane asylums thing 1t a
very bad plan to allow them to be continually
writing letters to persons outside, and STIR
ring them upt make efforts for their release.
ut would demoralize the discipline OF the
tosiu lultlltIt Win llt VI tuc
patients and AFFORD opportunities for making
escapes.
"In the case OF the second bill we have no
interest In the matter, because none or the
Institutions under our care receive any aid
from the state.
81 think the change proposed OF placing
some u the institutions outside OF New York
entirely under the charge OF Boards o1 Trus-
tees would interfere seriously with the work
OF the stat, Board OF Commissioners OF the
Insane, who now exercise supervision over
al hD n a d nd r0 n q n
81 have no doubt that under the old county
poorhousc system insane patients were badly
treated and kept in miserable quarters, but
the existing law has aimed to do away with
such abuses.
~ think 1t would do no harm II asylums
were visited every day In the year, and the
ties the better 1t would be. This recommen-
dation heartily favor, but when 1t comes to
interfering with the work OF the state Board
! think 1t would be great mistake, and such
PROPOSE Ion Is sure to meet with tremendous
opposition.
- 1t seems to me that the two bills now e.
fore the Legislature have been very hastily
AID carelessly drawn. and do not think they
should pass in their present form"
commissioners simmons and Sheehy In
dorsed the views of Commissioner Porter In
general, and the former related several In
stances In which harm had beer done by
allowing insane patients to correspond too
freely with friends out side.
ait Is evident" said Mr.. simmons, "that
these proposed laws are not Intended to ap-
ply to US in New York, hut to the old country
poorh use insane wards. or perhaps some
private institutions over which the public
authorities have little control.
THE county aSylumS are an gradually
being brought under State control and super
vision, aud when accommodations have been
provided tor all the patients In state asylums
we shall probably hear no more of the abuse
OF the system"
Edward King. President OF the Union Trust
Company, and one of the Trustees or Bloom
ingdale Asylum, said he had paid very lit tie
attention to the proposed changes in the law.
"Ours Is private institution and receives
no aid from the state, So II would not come
under the provisions OF the second OF the pro-
posed laws.
81 Its medical staff is amply sufficient and
It's patients receive every attention and con-
stdcra'ion. They are allowed to commune
cate with their friends under certain re.
strctions, and 10 hardship Is suffered on this
account. In TACT, II would lie difficult to i'm.
prove on Bloomingdale's system OF discipline