The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-12

Shocking Cruelty of Omoers and Atten-
dants to the Inmates.

Victoria, Dec. 1.-THE PROVINCIAL gov
ernment today presented TO the legisla-
ture a voluminous return in connection
with the grave scandal that has recently
arisen in the management OF the West
minister insane asylum. The royal com
missioners. Drs. Newccmbe and Hasell
find that the gravest laxity and ignorance
OF what was going on about him has
marked the official career of DR. Bentley
the asylum superintendent. Reference is
made TO the difficulty experienced by tho
commission by the flight OF stenographer
Burton with the notes OF the evidence
taken at the first inquiry. a considerable
portion of which cannot be duplicated.
The report then continues:
Discovering that certain gross irreg-
ularities have been committed in the
treatment OF patients. after completing
our preliminary examination OF the Off
GERS, we began. on the Sd instant. to in
terview in private such OF the inmates
as we judged could assist with credl-
BILE evidence. II was with infinite diff
Guilty. in most cases, that he could IN
duce these people to believe they would
not be severely punished II they report
Ell what they had seen and suffered.
They repeatedly told us that speaking
os II would do 10 good and would only
get them into fresh trouble. Taken at
random from every ward. without a pos
sihility OF coilusion. one and all told the
same story OF cruelty and oppression.
They all gave US the impression OF being
terrorized. not only by the punishments
they had themselves experienced. but by
reports that had reached them OF pun
ishments inflicted upon others. Thus they
were all aware OF man named Schubert
dying in dark closet. while confined IN
a gfrait-iacket and all were also aware
OF the cage in the basement OF the cellar.
OF which they stood in violent fear.
Having on the first day OF our visit been
informed by Dr. Bentley that no punish
rnants whatever were imposed on patti
euts, and that mechanical restraint was
only used by special order and after
proper inquiry. we were astounded AZ
hearing patient after patient telling the
same stories OF inmates being thrashe'4
with buckle and strap and o. their being
kicked. hand-cgffed for trtfinE offsuses.
struck with the fist ducked In cold water
until nearly sun0catei OF their being
tortured By semi-stranguiation, by means
of the strait Jacket, and Of ore man hav-
ing hls hand crippled for life by means
of the prolonged Use OF a leather unit.
followed by Inflammation and nbscess.
We felt compelled TO sift this matter 70
the bottom. and hour after hour for tWo
days We listened 70 most depressing tales
OF c-lel ard huniliatlDg usage"
Subsequent pages Of the report give
details OF hldeous cruelty. particularly
in the use Of the dip" in which the pa
tIent was handcuTed with his han4s be-
hind him. his feet being equally lnked
together by anklers. Thus rendered
helpless. he was plunged int0 hath
nearly fail OF cold water. and head held
under 70 the point % suftocattoa- This
"aucking" Of the patients bead vas Re-
peatetg until he Was deeued sufficiently
broken ir This cold dip the conmis-
sson found 20 have been inflicted Tor the
simplest oTeuses. such as talking AZ
night, or drumming on patients
chest. As a restlt % the inquiry. the
asylum ma uagemeut viii be thoroughly
recognized.