The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-31


upon The private time OF the staff officers.
War Records.
am pleased 10 state that the work OF per-
fecting. restoring. copying and preserving the
military records OF the state has been finished,
and that Rhode Island is the first to have
complete records In the form adopted BY the
war department OF it's soldiers who served
from 1861 to 1866. A detailed account Of the
work will be 70 und In the report OF the adiu-
tant general, and "a practical demonstration
OF its perfect and comprehensive character
NAV be obtained by a visit 90 his Office. The
labor has been one of many years, presenting
many difficulties and requiring a great de-
gree OF patience and perseverance for
its accomplishment. The state is 10 be
congratulated that IL now has not only COM
plete descriptive lists, regimental returns,
muster-in and muster-out rolls of the sold
iers Of the war Of the rebellion, In a form that
Will allow OF public inspection, but also has
bound records OF the same for preservation.
Much credit II due the adJutant general for
the untiring interest with which he has prose-
cuted the work Ia It's successful conclusion.
The revision of the adjutant generals report
OF 1868 Is progressing ia "A satisfactory manner.
With regard TO the reimbursement Of the
members of the Fourth Rhode Island regi-
ment, the |adjutant general reports that there
are 100 claims still uncalled for, aud he sug-
gests that the time for paying claims be ex-
tended for another year.
Board of state Charities and Corrections
The efficient management OF the several in
stitutiOns under the supervision OF the board
of state charities and corrections has been
maintained during the past year. One Of the
gravest problems now being contidered by the
board IL the provision of adequate quarters for
the increasing number of insane patients.
Those who we're present at the official visit Of
the legislature To the state institutions In No
yember last, viii remember that the crowded
condition OF the present asylum was espe-
/ C1Rlly brought TO our notice NC VyPra told
that the officials were obliged TO place more
than one person In some Of the small rooms,
and that sleeping places for many Of the
milder patients had TO be found in anti-rooms
and halls
Partial relief will be obtained when the ad-
ditional quarters now under construction for
the excited insane arc completed. The walls
of that building, ] am informed, will be fin
ished and heat introduced so that the interior
work may be continued during the winter.
This viii provide accommodations for the ex-
cited insane for several years, but with the
continued annual increase OF the other class
of patients, new buildings will have to be con-
structed in the near future.
At the close of last year there were In the
state asylum 2s men, rs women, making a to-
tai 81 Jb3; being an increase Of 2! inmates com
pared with the previous year. With this
ever charging charge and the conse-
quent additional expense for new build
ings, it becomes our duty 90 critically
oAA ~ HANH'hN PbAAi u ANb "a IN
regard 10 the commitment and treatment OF
the insane, with "A view 10 inaugurating i'm
provements that Will be in the direction Of a
more economical administration OF this
branch Of our charities without detriment 10
the comfort of the benelciaries. Our attitude
towards the insane, as manifested in the pro-
vision for their public arrsignment In a justice
court, and their commitment and care at the
expense of the state, savors too much OF the
idea that insanity is a crime. | do not
I.-.. an. 4VaA T.~aa a. .....s.l
Of commitment by judicial procedure. but
/ believe IL is possible 10 retain that and
yet save the patient from the Objectionable
features attendant upon public appearance
in a justice court. At a slight expense,
we might provide a house OF detention,
where the patient could be temporarily COM
mitted pending investigation by the court,
and where the examination before commit
ment could be held.
# seems 10 me that the state is over gener-
Gus In bearing the entire expense not only OF
the care of the insane, but also Of their COM
mitment. There are many inmates of the
state asylum whose rela tives are in "A position
10 wholly or partially pay the cost of their
maintenance, which they should be required
by law 10 do.
Statutory restrictions should also be placed
upon the commitment of insane Ia the Butler
hospital for treatment at the states expense.
Patients at that institution cost the state $3.50
each per annum. and many OF them, especially
the chronic cases, could be sent TO the state
asylum, where the annual cost is only about
Sl2j a person. The state also contributes
towards the expense of certain benefciaries at
the Butler hospital 500 a year for each person.
Many OF these, without detriment 10 their COM
fort or chances OF recovery, could be removed
to the state asylum, and a portion Of tho
amount now paid from their estates or by
their relatives towards their support at Butler
hospital, would go TO the state IL the law was
amended as | before suggested. Butler hospi-
tai should only be used by the state for parti-
cular cases where special treatment is re-
quired, and where there is a probability OF the
patients early recovery. The law should be
further amended so that persons restored to
soundness of mind or no longer under the
need Of restraint may be discharged by the
superintendent of Butler hospital or the board
OF state charities and corrections.
state Prison and County Jail.
The crowded condition of the county jail at
Cranston is another difficulty confronting the
board. On Dec. 81, lsg2, there were 2O prison.
ers occupying l26 cells, and even that number
of prisoners has been exceeded during certain
months of the year. As a means OF improving
this undesirable condition Of affairs IL has
been suggested that the laws shall be changed
so as 10 allow Of tho commitment of short
termed men % the workhouse which Ia now
occupied by women. This plan oontemplates
the construction of another building, to be
used as n women's prison for the detention OF
ltlbdAfo w AN 49,
jail, workhouse and house of correction. II IL
estimated that this building will cost about
$1,000, while another wing to the Jail building
= ould cost nearly double that sum.
Juveniles at the Jail.
One Of the saddest sights TO be seen at our
Jail is the number of boys whose ages range
from Q years and ~upwords, detained there
awaiting trial or serving sentences for misde-
mcanor no more serious than truancy, or
working out fines and costs. The early associ-
alton with criminals and crime which this
condition of things enforces, must be
most harmful to those Juvenile offenders,
think it would be wise TO amend the law so
that the reform school would be the only
hou so of detention for children under certain
specified ages. making their commitment 20
the states prison for more serious crimes con-
tingent upon the approval OF a justice Of the
supreme court
Sockanosset School.
An important and satisfactory feature OF
the work at Sockanosset school is the intro
auction of industrial training, or teaching Of
l tho nractIcal tradaa Tbare are now ten boys