Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-07

OF our asylums to account TOT WY Nses
additional expense. IL Will not ~ wv
toned that there are a large nuw ~.
lunatlcs so-calIed sur ported ~ VI
money OF the state without law wnc
should be charge upon the countss -
cities, and should to-day be In the ss
house instead OF In the asylums. ana tns
taxation should be decreased In propoE
ton I am satisfied from carefui con
sheraton OF the subject that u w.
who are not insane should be placed ~
asylums. or homes and the expenses ~
duced accordingly. that we could save the
State not less than 5000 OF Nss's
annually. -.
AFTER THE coMMITrAL.
when the Judge has decided that party
examined. is lunatic ne should order tnss
he be sent TO an asylum at once. Ho
should not be turned over TO the tntiefs
who IL not and should not be the custo~
dian OF a lunatic, except in cases OF emer-
gency, and then but for "a brief perions
The superintendent are much better pre-
pared for them than the jailer; they ara
the custodlans selected for this purpose
and the jailers are not; they are equippea
with suitable buildings, with strong
guards, and with faithful attendants ana
skilful physicians. Jaiiers have none or
these things 1t was not intended tnae
they should keep an asylum for unfortu-
mates. but a prison for criminals. II Is no
disgrace nor reflection on a party or hie
family to be diseased In mind, II II
misfortune that commands our pity. ana
should not even seemingly invoke our
condemnation by confinement In the COM
mon prison house with criminals as COM
panions. II the officers Of the asylum
do not receive the lunatic sent by the
Judge on delivery. he should be secured IN
some place by the jailer. and the expense
taken out Of the Appropriation made TO
the asylum. This Is very Important
matter. Let us put an end 10 the long
and cruel confinement In the jsils or these
unfortunate people. In nearly every jail
OF the Commonwealth they have made
the day and night hideous with their
rawlings. under the very caves OF the court
house where justice IL melted out To the
worst criminals in the land and protec-
ton is promised to the humbiest. Give
the Judges the power 10 correct this, and
it will quickly be done. Time and time
again have appeals been sent to the Gov
| ernor. by citizens and officers. begging
that he interpose, and that lunatics be
removed from the tails to the asyiums.
He H. powerless; he can afford TO relief.
In many cases when the superintendent
were applied TO. the lunaticS were re-
ceived. I'm some cases they were not. and
| the reply was mo ROOM" IL should be
made their business 10 provide for therl
| in the best manner they can. IL IN not the
| duty OF the taller: the superintendent
| could provide place for the lunatic bet
ter than the jailer and they are the
| chosen custodians of the lunatics, with
numerous resources In theif hands To
keep and care for them. II the judge
orders a man to the penitentiary does the
| SUPERINTENDENT refuse to take lanl DE
| cause the penitentiary IL fuliE NO, no
provides the ways and means 10 secure
| him. and takes care Of him. why then
! .fa..e 20 ..Ef he ms
| Mms also be required 10 take charge OF the
lunatic. They can keep him safely and
provide all the necessary means. even X
| they have not springfield for him To
| rest upon or q room completes In its
| equipments they have attendants TO see
after his wants and a skilled physician
| TO look after his ailments. His condition
| then will be better by far than In a coin-
mon jail where there is not comfort
to be found.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
II my recommendations find favor with
the Legislature. l would advise that the
| SUPERINTENDENT of each OF the asylums
and the chairman OF each OF the Boards
| OF Visitors constitute committee to
carry out the proposed changes. AMI That
they select one asylum for lunatcs, ana
for the harmless IDIOTS and imbecies the
| other asyhIms be used and these asylums
| and that patients be distributed between
| them In proportion 10 their capacity To
| accommodate: that one physician be Sc
| lected for each of these homes, and
| sufficient number of attendants and that
| the rest be discharged. and that proper
bill be- enacted to carry into effect these
| suggestions.
| In my criticism OF the law j do not
desire 10 have II inferred that i con-
denim the superintendents or the officers
OF our asylums. but on the contrary II
gives me pleasure TO commend them. L
have considered this question OF the asy-
lums with care and have an increasing
interest i'm these great charities. and l am
satisfied that they have never been con-
! trolled by officers more competent ana
faithful to the interests OF the state, or
who have watched over their unfortunate
inmates with more care and administered
10 their wants more tendery. They de-
serve the confidence OF the people. ! OBJ
ject To the law not to the superintend-
ents.
There Is no law requiring the asylums
10 be insured and some OF the other IN
stitutlons belonging TO the state are not
insured | suggest that "a special act be
prepared. requiring the Board of Visitors
out OF the appropriation granted TO each
| institution to insure all OF the principal
buildings in some reliable company.
PAY OF THE JUDGES.
one Of the most important duties watch
viii deyolve upon the Legislature this
session will be the election OF judges for
the Circuit courts and judges for the
Court of Appeals. You cannot use too
much consideration and caution In the
selection OF these important officers. Be-
fore YOU proceed TO the election the
salaries OF these officers should be IN
creased. They are now 30 low that some
lawyers eminently qualified for the posi-
ton and whom this Legislature might
desire 10 call into the service OF the state.
cannot In justice 10 those dependent upon
them accept the position. The Judge
should be the superior In point or iegea
attainments 10 any attorney In his cir
cult The salary now received IL below
the price paid for a lrst-class man In
any leading business In the country.
hrst-class railroad-man commands much
more than this sum: so In the Insurance
business: 50 IN our banks: II IL the same
I'm the professions; in our colleges; In the
departments OF the United States Govern
ment I'm Washington, and even In the
| important departments OF the state Gov
| eminent The Superintendent Of Public
schools gets better pay; the Attorney
General: the Auditor OF Public Accounts:
the Treasurer; all receive more salary.
and yet the circuit judseships are the
most responsible positions In the state.
|
capacity. and are worse paid.
WHY WE'RE THE SALARIES RE-
DUCED?
When Virginia was readmitted into the
| Union. the State had been divided; her
population scattered; her resources ex-
hausted She was oppressed with enor-
nous debt; her financial condition was
so distressing that she was unable 10
meet the interest on her bonded debt; but
she determined to make every reasonable
sacrifice To re-sstablsh her credit and 70
resume the payment OF her obligations.
To show her determined spirit she In
creased the taxes upon her people wher-
ever II could be done without disaster.
and reduced the salaries of all her Of
fcers which could be changed by the
Ieyislatnre. The salaries OF the judges
were reduced 10 the present Inadequate
sum. without murmuring they have
faithfully labored and discharged their
duties The debt has now been settled.
and II has been demonstrated that The
. 4. =