The record-union., 1895-01-12
LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
AS indicated very clearly by the forego-
ing figures, one of the main sources of
State extravaganza is the care of the in
sane. The extraordinary increase in the
number of our lunatic asylums and sim
liar institutions had its origin in two
causes. First-The desire of members of
the Legislature from particular sections
TO secure the approval of their constitu-
ents by cOnferring upon them certain
supposed benefits, and the consequent
| iniquitous system OF trading" to which
this gave rise. Second-The presence in
the already existing asylums of inmates
who, under the law, were not entitled to
entrance therein and have no right TO be
retained there. l confidently assert that
a large percentage of so-called patients
confined in our lunatic asylums are not
legally entitled to a home in those insti-
tutions. \ ct they are, and for years have
been, admitted and cared for. Had the
law been properly complied with in the
past, three aSylumS only would have been
requlred-one south and two north OF Te-
hachapi.and these, with slight additions
to their capacity, would have been more
than ample to meet the demands OF the
State for years to come.
We are by reason of these abuses not
only taxed beyond the necessities OF our
condition, but are misrepresented and in
jured abroad through the false reputation
given to our people by the apparently
wide prevalence of mental disorder in
the State. That these are but statements
OF TACT let the reports OF the two oldest of
our institutions lOr the treatment Of the
insane bear testimony. The directors of
the Napa Asylum in their latest report
use this language:
California supports too many people
in her insane asylumS. These institu-
tions are crowded. to the detriment OF a
proper or successful treatment of the
durable insane, and are made unduly eX-
penslye by maintaining persons-cases of
harmless chronic mental unsoundnesS
and mere mDecility-WhO ought to be
supported elsewhere
In 1856 DR.. w. II. Mays, then Superin-
teudenI of the Stock kton Lunatic Asylum,
said:
This asylum has, from an early day,
carried along on it's reports a large con-
tingent, drawn from all quarters, of
chronic incurable dement's, imbeciIeg,
dotards, idiots, drunkards, mpletons,
| ioOls-a class, IN fact, OF harmless defect
ives usually found in poorhouses or else
! where. In the absence OF county charit8-
! bic institutions it was necessary to send
them here. There was no other place for
them"
! And this condition has existed for
years, Notwithstanding the plain legal
10 or retention in such institutions OF
these classes of society's dependents. The
| class that may be admitted is clearly in
dicated in Section 22I5 of the Political
Code, thus: "A person who is SO fer dis
ordered in his mind as to endanger
health, person or property" By Section
~ the retention III Iunatlc asylum OF
any person other than those specified is
prohibited. The law unfortunately does
not permit the Governor to remove ap-
| pointees in the management OF these in
1 stitutiOns, but l shall give this abuse my
careful attention and require the law 10
| be strictly enforced, and we shall, / hope,
! find a remedy somewhere.
AS step in the direction indicated I
would recommend that a bill be passed
abOlishing existing asylum boards and
providing for one nOn-partisan board Of
from seven to nine members, TO con-
troll the entire system of Iunatic
asylumS, with power to employ one gen.
eraI supervising head, who shall be an
expert and not otherwise connected with
any OF the institutions. The saving bv
such system would be large, and local
persuasion and influence could circum-
vent neither the expert nor the general
board. While all reasonable liberality
should be shown IN the care Of the insane
by the State, not one dollar of the peoples
money should be wasted, nor should
single person who ought to be supported
in county almshouse be maintained in
State institution.
THE STATE PRISON.
The recommendation of one board for
all the lunalic asyiums will apply with
! equal force to the other State institutions.
Il would be a good idea To consolidate
San Quentin with Folsom, and the man
agement of the Preston School with that
( OF Whittier. Mess the Preston and
I Whittier Reformatories be merged into
a single institution, the former should be
used as a reiormatory for girls and the
latter tor boys. From this change a
| large saving Of expense would result.
the estimated cost of maintaining these
/ retormatories being 100000 and 500, 600
| respectively.
a law also suggests itself requiring the
/ keeping OF uniform books and the maxi
| ing by the officers OF our State institu-
tions of uniform reports annually in
stead OF biennially, so that any citizen
| might trace each item from beginning TO
/ end OF transaction. All moneys re-
! celved by any OF these establishments.
/ Instead OF being placed in contingent
fund" to be drawn upon at will by the
/ board, should be paid into the State
! Treasury, duly credited, aud only drawn
out on properly approved warrants and
vouchers.
! At Folsom the State has one of the
/ finest prisons and manufacturing sites in
the world, and as the Constitution, in
Section 6ot Article X, req quires in definite
| terms that convicts shall be forced TO labor
for the benefit OF the State, the tremeud-
/ Gus "ater-power at Folsom might, in
! conjunction with the prison labor. be
turned 10 profitable account. The high
prices paid by many OF our public insti-
tutlons Tor supplies, purchased from the
/ lowest bidder. suggest that nearly all the
/ articles needed III these institutions might
SFsl Il
| Al present we must in certain of these
! purchases accept the product Of Eastern
/ convict labor. The suggested change
would be beneficial in two ways: Ii
/ would be measure of economy and be
/ highly returnatory, occupying the minds
( and bodies OF the convicts; and by teach
/ Ing them some handicratt, enabling them
! to become useful members of society on
1 their release. The Legislature, in anv
action that II might see lit to take on this
suggestion, should have care that con-
! ylct labor be not permitted 20 compete
with the free labor of our own people
L further than is unavoidable.
ON TINS subject the late report of State
| Prison Director DePue contains valuable
J recommendations. one of the most inn
/ portant industries that might be estab-
! llshed at Folsom, he says, is that of man
/ uiacturlng ice. The cost would be sur
prisingly small, and the value TO all
Classes, especially to butchers, fruit-rais-
eFs and handlers of perishable products
In general, would be very great. Ice can
| be prohtably manufactured at Folsom