The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-20
TO IMPROVE THE INSANE.
Joint Committee Lis ems to Col. Marye
and DIR Moncure, OF Williamsburg.

The Senate Committee on Public Insti-
tutions and the House Committee on
Asylums and Prisons held a joint session
in the Senate yesterday afternoon. with
| senator LOVenStein i'm the chair
Col. Morton Marye, the Auditor OF
PuDnc Accounts, appeared before the
committees in the interest OF the insane
/ people in this State.
DR.. j. ID. Moncure. the superintendent
| OF the Eastern Lunatic Asylum. made
lengthy statement to the committee as
TO the defects in the existing laws gov
ernlng the administration of the various
asNlums lie complained of the hard
shlps imposed upon the superintendcnts
by being obliged under q decision of the
courts, TO have all witnesses sign the
interrogatory taken in connection with
the reception of insane persons at the
asylum. He thought in all instances Il
certain time, at least a month should
elapse before the case Of a patient should
be definitely considered. In his opinion.
however, no patient should be admitted
unless commission in lunacy had been
held over him. This rule had been laid
down by his own board Of visitors.
Idiots MOI To be Admitted.
Or. Moncure next complained as to
section 1851 of the Code in regard TO the
admission of idiots.
In regard 10 the admission of pay pa
TENTS. the existing law provides that
pay patients should be admitted after
the board had been paid in advance for
one year. He suggested that these nav
inehis be required TO be made quarterly,
in advance.
DR.. Moncure next advocated that the
S'ate DE divided in three districts. and
lhat The patients from each district be
IeeeiNd at their respective asylums lie
tolu the committee that about a month
dSo ne had sent out letters of enquiry
70 the various jails in order TO ascertain
now many insane persons are at present
coLnned IN the various iais. out OF
~ Ietters sent out, he had received III
replies, and his report showed that there
were now twenty-five insane persons In
me different jails Of the State He also
stated mat on October L. 1888. there were
IFS insane patients taken care of IN the
state outside of the three State institu-
lions.
Senator Morris. OF Albemarle. who had
been appointed committee 10 prepare
a report in regard 10 the recent visit or
the committees to the Virginia Agricul-
tufal ana Mechanical Cohege at Blacks
burg, submitted his report, which CON
tanned this able and interesting state
ment:
Condition OF acksburg College.
The impression made upon them. sneak
Ing IN general terms. was mat the utmost
was being zone with the material at
hand; I'm other words, that the institu- |
uOh was being We'll managed The |
spirit that seemed 10 exist among both |
professors and students was that OF |
progress and energy.
The appearance OF the battalion of
cadets. which turned out TO receive the |
committee was most Creditable and in
ulcaie military maneuvOrs were executed
with precision and knowledge. This
branch OF the work is under the super
vision OF an officer of the United states
army Lieutenant Harmon-and to his
care Is due the most excellent military
proficiency of the cadets.
The next impression made can be given
In one. Word-"ON ercrowded." This school |
has increased i'm numbers from lf6 in
lS9l- ~ 10 23f the present session There
is not adequate accommodation for TINS
increase