New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-15
JOc4L CARE OF THE INSANE.

We published on Saturday the text OF a long
letter from the State Commission In Lunacy 10
Mayor Strong, on the condition OF the dependent
insane in this city 1t Is letter that deserves
careful reading by every public-spirited Citizen
and that demands the immediate and earnest
attention OF those charged with the government
NJ the city and the care Of its wards There 49,
we suppose. no question but that the deplorable
state of affairs described in the letter really does
exist. For years 1t has been notorious BY the
Investigation of last year 1t was demonstrated
in detail. The patients are crowded, almost like
cattle, in quarters far too small for them. Inc
eouipment OF furniture, etc, Is insufficient The
quality Of food has been unsatisfactory Tnere
Is and has long been undue danger OF epidemlcs
or other grave disaster. The whole system OF
caring for these most dependent and most pitt
able wards Of the city Is discredtable to civil
lied metropolis. That Is a part OF the heritage
of woe left by the Tammany government to It's
successor.
The need Of reform was last fall made most
evident. There was entire ability on the part or
the local authorities to supply it. The Board OF
Estimate and Apportlonment declined, however
TO grant any money for the purpose because IL
was thought certain that the whole task OF caring
for the insane would forthwith be transferred
from the city to the State. Such transfer ""S
generally regarded as desirable. steps were
taken to effect II. A bill to that end was passeu
by the Legislature. Unfortunately, II was MOI
passed till near the close OF the session. anu a.
adjournment was left In the Mayors nands'
The Mayor neither approved nor disapproVed IT,
hut sent II to the Governor without action upon
r. The Governor. after mature deliDeratioh' was
convinced that the measure had mus peeh A"ieu
md therefore did not sign II. IL only the Legls
loture had passed IL earlier In the session, more
satisfactory disposal could have been maze Oh
n As is the matter must go over 10 next year
In tho moan time the insane wards OF Inc
CITY arc suffering more than ever. The city dld
NOT prcpare 70 do anything for them. expecting
tho state TO take charge OF them. Now 1t finds
,hem still on It's hands for another year. anu
,,se,f unable TO do anything for them unless by
some extraordinary procedure. II IL such pro-
celure that the State Commission suggests The
poard Of Health has power TO call for the raising
Of money by emergency bonds whenever the
public health and safety require II. Now II Is
urged that the Board OF Health might and should
exercise its power in behalf Of the insane pa
tients ON Harris. Wards and Backwels Islands
the health ard safety not only OF those patients
and their keepers and nurses. but OF the general
publIc IL that Is not done. the State Commits
sion will make an appeal TO the courts for man
datory action.
There IL. we suppose. no question but that sucn
action by the Board Of Health IL. as rule. to be
dcprrcatcd. II would be most unwise and I'M
safe thing 10 do TO set a precedent or raising
money by emergency bonds whenever any appro-
pratIons run short Such a system would make
the Health Board the object OF opportunities ana
pressnrc from every direction. and would lead
almost inevitably to grave abuses. At the same
time II is a wise system II judiciously applied.
and only In extreme cases. II now rests with
the city authorities 10 determine whether or not
such an extreme case exists. Certainly the in
sane patients are In n bad plight Something
should and must he done for their relief. and be
done speedily; and the city must do II. There IL
no need Of great expenditures for permanent
buildings Within year. no doubt the post
poncd transfer TO the State Will be- effected. Hut
for that year or less some temporary provision
must be- made II ought not 10 cost much. There
ought TO be some way OF doing 1t without the
issuing Of emergency bonds. But however II s
done. the problem Is one which should receive
immediate attention from the city government.