The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-08


the almshouse. Miss Parker carried her
complaint to a leading Albany magis-
trate, and implored his interposition.
To her establishment and chagrin he re-
buked her for interfering with county
officials, and for listening to tell-tale
busybodies." He intimated that young
lady of wealth, occupying high social
position, could better employ her time
than by meddling with the adminstra-
ton of public relief to paupers. A sharp
controversy followed. Backed by Miss
Parker in the city, who enlisted other
friends in the cause, reformation began
at the county house, and at the next
election all the officials concerned Tin
Guiding the dignifed magistrate who
had VOLUNTEERED such advice to Miss
PaIker), were displaced.
Love played some part in this drama.
Among those who had taken part in this
controversy was the late j. V. |. Pruyri,
a prominent lawyer who afterward mar
ried Miss Parker. He was convinced by
this affair of the almshouse that the
public charities needed State super
vision, and at once began to frame law
for it, before even Massachusetts, in 1858,
had enacted such law. But it was not
until 1865 that another incident occurred
which again reused Mr.. Pruyn to action
and brought the opportunity for favora-
BILE legislation, when Gov. Fenton of New
York recommended it, and DR.. G. S.
Hoyt, now secretary of the board of
charities, was in the New York legisla-
ture and drafted the law. The incident
was as follows:
''At a late hour in the night there as
brought to the door of great hospital
in New York city, poor man whose
condition required immediate aid. The
hour for admission had passd, and he
could not be received without an order
from one of the governors of the hospi-
tai, which could not then be obtained.
In consequence the man died in great
suffering and under sorrowful circum-
stances Mr.. Pruyn, who was acquaint-
ed with the hospital managers, pc
titioned them for change of rules, but
red tape and official importance
were impregnable, and the petition was
treated with contempt. Mr.. Pruyn then
laid his plan for a State supervising
board before Gov. Fenton, and in the
next January it was by him recommend
ed to the legislature. Mr.. Pruyn be-
came chairman of this new board in
1867.
The foregoing illustrates most force
fully the good that woman can do,
particularly when supported by means
and influence. The sad-faced woman
was heroine of the highest type, and
demonstrated her courage and utility in
a field that is still prolific with kindred
opportunity. 1t may be well for the
complaicent consciences of our good cit
liens that they are not aware of actual
ties occurring in many of the penal,
pauper, charitable, insane and other
public institutions, where the inmates
are at the mercy OF the immediate au-
thorities and keepers over them. Per-
haps Mr.. Sanborn himself will be able to
recall certain disclosures relative to a
Tewksbury almshOuse IN his own State
through the efficient instrumentality of
Governor Benjamin f. Butler.
We believe it is Charles Reade who
says somewhere in his admirable novels
that in institutions secluded from public
scrutiny abuses are sure to grow to the
detriment and injustice of the inmates.
Where man can practice wrong to his
fellow man with impunity, he seems
more apt to exhibit the bestial than the
angelic qualities in human nature. To
be absolutely at the mercy of another
man would in three cases out of four be
hell enough for anybody.
The reflection that in many, many
cases the almshouse in America is under
the control of partisan ring-organ-
lied for plumber and composed of men
who would unhesitatingly rob and abuse
friendless dependents to fill their own
pockets-is not reassuring. The condi-
ton of paupers suffering under such ad-
ministration it is difficult either to de-
scribe or imagine. Ever and anon come
ominous reports from insane retreats
which cause one to blush for our COM
mon humanity. A noted victim, like
Anna Dickinson, for instance, some
times gets hearing; but the tales of an
average inmate are not listened to.
1t is amazing how little the general
public knows of the actual conditions in
institutions of the character suggested,
and what fragrant abuses can be carried
out for protracted period without ex-
citing suspicion, at least to the point of
investigation. Very probably matters
have mended somewhat during the last
generation, and greater percentage of
public institutions are conducted decent
ly than formerly; but the room for i'm
provement is simply appalling to one
who understands the true state of affairs.
Besides, degeneracy in management is
an experience common to asylums.
Just and intelligent direction involves
laborious and continuous superintend-
ence, which is exceedingly irksome to
the average man.
Every director or other official con-
nected with public institution, whether |
a potent factor or not, should at least |
make it his business to know that the |
inmates are treated with approximate |
fairness. If mal-administration is ram
pant, traces of it can be easily discovered |
by few unexpected visits. By inter-
viewing different inmates and compar-
ing notes inside facts may be cleaned. |
Where management is clean, credita-
BILE and above board, the truth can be
demonstrated without difficulty.
1t is wholesome to recall story like
the above, and cite examples like those of
Miss Knapp and Miss Parker. We have
no disposition to discredit the character
Of asylums for the unfortunate, but do
hope to excite spirit of inquiry so
strong as to smell out rotteness where
ever it exists. Let us remember that a
part of our population are virtually in
,arcerated in places where brutal and
keepers can subject them
70 the cruelest indignities with relative
safety. Why not be our unfortunate
keeper to the extent of ascer-
aiming whafhar Or nor ha 10 fraafad II, |