The evening world., 1894-06-21
PATIENTS SHIPPED ABROAD,
A Sensational Story Ready for
the Lunacy Board
DIR. Cheney Says Corpses We're Kept
in the Bath Rooms.

The investigation into the condition
OF the insane on Wards and Randall 3
Islands before DR.. c. i. Macdonald,
Senator Henry s. Reeves and Goodwill
Brown. constituting the State Lunacy
Commission, was continued this morn
ing at the Park Avenue Hotel.
Drs Dent, Macy and Superintendent
OF the Insane. DR.. A. f. Macdonald. in
company with their counsel. A. H..
Mastln, were present. Duncan Ed
wards. Judge John T.. Mcmahon and
Charities Commissioner Porter were also
in attendance.
The testimony SO far given has shown
a frightful condition Of anairs existing
upon both islands, but especially upon
Wards Island. The state Of wrctched-
ness permitted to exist among the pa
tients on the latter island T. almost be, be,
produced t. fix the responsibility for the
abuses shown to exist. or to define the
cause This. however. Will evidently be
brought out later.
There are two witnesses present at
the investigation, who have not yet been
called. Both have been patients on the
island. and, II what they say Is true,
there is going to be a sensation before
the commission completes its work,
one of these patients is William Hnr-
rlngton, who was confined on Randall =
lSlAflu UuTlnB All VI l't'fllDt-l, ln'Ns t'h'
January. 1893. The other Is John Bielen-
berg. who was patient for one year
during 1929
According to these witnesses Or. A. F..
Macdonald, Superintendent of the asy-
lum. is responsible for the condition of
affairs There is. they say, a ring be.
tween the authorities. The physicians
hands are tied and they can do nothing.
During the time these men were con-
fined on the island they did not see Dr.
Macdonald once.
Money can do anything" both de-
door is locked. and you are likely to re-
main until you die unless you can pay
to get out. When you do pay, II Is on
the, condition that you Immediately 80
Both OF these witnesses state that
such was their experience; that they
paid their expenses abroad at the time
steamer by the asylum authorities.
The examination OF DR.. LYMAN y.
Cheney wA continued this morning. Nj.
Edwards conducting the eXamtna.on:
accommodations the bathrooms we're
frequently used as a morgue. hni todit
were placed there. Patients w'r. put to
bed at dusk and compelled 10 remain
there until 6 o'clock next morning
:crr " :. the food?" -
"Ther has been very much improve
ment. When the Grand Jury visited the
Islands very nice lunch was prepared
for their members. DR.. Dent took great
interest in it's preparation" Witness
had only seen Commissioner Porter on
the islands once while he was there.
Many patients died from Inability TO
secure proper restoratives at the right
time.
''It was the opinion among the. physi-
clans that 1t was not best to give too
much attentions to sick patients In order
that the overcrowding might be avoided,
wasn't it," asked Mr.. Edwards.
II don't think So" replied the wilt
ness.
"Who do you consider responsible for
the conditions prevailing"
II don't know. ] have often wondered
myself who was responsible
Witness further stated that the death
rate among the children on Randall s
Island was enormous.
You knew that the Board Of Charities
and Corrections had the power to correc
these abuses and also the Grand Jury?
Yes"
why did you not report to them"
because / knew that IT would do nc
This closed the direct examination OF
the witness, and Mr.. Mastin then begar
the cross examination.
"Did Dr. Dent ever tell you that the
supplies OF spirits were insufticientT
mo"
"Did YOU ever differ with him In regart
to the amount which should be admins
teredtoapatient 2
nNeS -