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

The investigation into the condition
OF the insane on Wards and Randalls s
Islands before DR.. c. f. Macdonald,
Senator Henry Reeves and Goodwin
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. Z. Macdonald, in
company with their counsel A. H.
Mastin. were present. Duncan Ed
wards, Judge John E. Mcmahon and
Charities Commissioner Porter were also
In attendance.
The testimony so far given has shown
frightful condl ltion Of AFFAIRS existing
upon both islands, but especially upon
Wards Island; The state OF wretehed-
tients on the latter island Is almost be
produced to fix the responsibility for the
cause. This. however. will evidently be
brought out later.
There are two witnesses present at
called. Both have been patients on the
island. and. II what they say Is true,
there is going to be sensation before
the One co%mssen IN tbs.e SG,mIletss s - work
rington. who was confined on Randalrs
Island during all Of December, 1892 and
January, 1898. The other is John Bielen.
during 1929
According to these witnesses. DR.. A. E.
Macdonald. Superintendent OF the asy.
affairs. There is, they say, a ring be-
tween the authorities. The physicians
hands are tied. and they can do nothing
fined, on the island they did not see Dr..
Money can do anything" both de-
clare, II you once enter there. the
main until you die unless you can pay
to get out, When you do pay 1t is on
the condition that you Immediately go
Both Of these witnesses state that
paiidb pniib theIr ,r,sIp expenses abroad at the time
steamer by the asylum authorities.
The examination OF DR.. LYMAN A.
Cheney was continued this morning. Mr..
accommodations the bathrooms were
frequently used as morgue anI to1es
were placed there. Patients w-r. put to
thtre unit! o'clock next morning.
:ers.',v :. the. food?'
There has been very much improve
Islands a 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. |
1T was the opinion among the physi- |
clans that 1t was not best to give too |
much attention to sick patients In order |
that the overcrowding might be avoided, |
wasn't it?" asked Mr.. Edwards.
II don't think So" replied the wit
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 Randalrs
Island was enormous.
YOU knew that the Board OF Charities
and Correction had the power to correct |
these abuses and also the Grand Jury?'
Yes"
"Why did you not report to them"
Because I knew that 1t would do no
good"
This closed the direct examination of
the witness. and Mr.. Mastin then began
the cross-examination.
Did DR.. Dent ever tell you that the
supplies of spirits were insufficient?'
NO"
Did you ever differ with him In regard
20 the amount which should be admins
tered to a patient?'