Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-25
STATE HOSPITALS.
DR.. W. w. PARKER ADDRESSES THE LE-
clsLATuRE ON THIS SUBJECT.
A Proposition to Substitute Ono or Two
Hospitals or k-Housss for the 100
Poor-Houses In the State.
RICHMOND. VA, Feb. 20. 1884,
the Members OF Nhe Virginia Legisla-

RICHMOND, VA, Fep. ~ ie'''
To the Members Of Nhe Virginia Legfsla-
ture:
In nv report to Governor Mckinney. De-
cember, 1892. submitted some facts Dear
ing on this subject The dbject Of the COM
mission to which refer was to CONSIDER
the propriety OF separating the harmless
from the dangerous insane In the lunatic
asylums.
Tho Hon. James C. Marshall was the
mover of this resolution, under when
acted. and his object was economy. the
same idea led me to consider another eco
monte question. to-wit. the merging OF
100 county poor-houses into one or two
state poor-houses or hospitals. While my
friends Drs. Wiley and Mcllwaine, signed
the report. and thereby endorsing my sug-
gestions, I do not hold them responsible
for my statements in this part of our re-
port.
From the facts collected from the Audi
tors office and limited correspondence,
find the number OF paupers, white and col
ored in the one hundred County Poor
Houses will average probably fifteen the
year round. or 1900 in ALL If these 1900
can be supported on a farm at 20 cents
day, the cost per annum will be siOe,59O.
PRESENT COST.
The salary of the one hundred superin-
tendents In the county poor-houses is,
say. 800 annually or $4,000 for the whole
number. To these 100 superintendent add
100 women and 300 children. the wives and
children OF the superintendent, and you
have 800 far more costly persons to sup
port or 1000 in all. At the same rate the
500 will cost S36,5O0. and this added TO the
slO9.5O0 you have $4,000. In the two state
hospitals you have TO add 10 the l,5O0 poor
only 10. the two medical superintendent
and their two families. II these two medi-
cal superintendent receive $500 each'
making 5000. you save $4,000 annually on
your payroll at once. | take II Tor
granted the wife and children help some
In the county poor-houses, but this does
not make II unnecessary TO employ SER
wants TO do work I'm the wards and on the
farm. The family of the superintendent
consists often of small children. Each SUI
perintendent has horse. and these 100
horses to feed instead OF two in the hos
pitfalls. Besides the farm-houses, etc, be-
longing TO each poor-house cost the county
fully 1900 each, making the total valua-
ton 100000. which would buy property
buildings, and land. TO accommodate the
1900 poor. From the examination | have
been able to make | am quite sure that
the cost OF maintaining each Of the 100
poor-houses of the State exceeds 1900 an
nually. or $4,000 for the whole number
Cost of the poor-houses at N3 head
for 800:
Board and clothing. medicine. etc. .slO9,5Oo
Cost of 100 families of superintend-
ents 900 persons. ............-.... $500
100 superintendent salaries GOO
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 'Sl'O'VVV
Cost of same In two hospitals:
1900 paupers. .SlV''oV'
Two OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES families
ten ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ~
Salaries Of two superintendents... 5000
Total .Sl13, 230
IL from this you substract PER
cert. on 800, 000-value of poor
house fproperty....,......... e,OV0
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