Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1895-06-01
How Ike Commonwealth Cares 70,
PaupcrS aud the Insane.

Mr.. Robert Gillian, of Petersburg,
the representative from Virginia TO
the twenty-second annual session of
the Conference of Charities and Cor
rection, convened at New Haven,
Conn, from 24th to 30th of May, sub
mitted u report showing what Viz
ginia is doing for her defective and
criminal classes. In his report Mr..
Gillian says: THE first public asylum
exclusively for the insane built on
this continent was the one at historic
Williamsburg. This institution was
opened October II, 1878, for the re-
ception of idiots, lunatics and other
persons of unSound mind. In 1927
the Western Lunatic Asylum, at
Staunton, was established. \ few
wears ago the State opened the doors
of her third asylum for her unfortu-
nate white citizens whose minds
might be dethroned During the last
three years these institutions received
and cared for furnishing them nedl-
cal attention, nursing. food, clothing
and every comforD TIP beneticiarieS
For that purpose the Legislature ap.
propriated $250,000 Last year the
Central State Hospital, near Peters
burg. treated within Its precincts gao
insane negroes. T'he annual appro'
priation granted by the State for the
maintenance of this institution is
$50. coo. Since the opening of this
great charity in 1870, 1900 patients
have received gratuitous treatment
and care.
Notwithstanding the vaunted in
terest taken III the eX slaves 10y many
so called philanthropists, not Il dollar
has ever been contributed by any OF
them for the comfort of these poor
unfortunate people. For great
many years the State has maintained
an institution for the deaf-mutes AND
the blind at Staunton, where annual
" from 125 to $50 unfortunate Nlr-
ginia girls aud boys receive attention
and education. The annuity given
by the State for this charity is nearly
/ $40, coo
The report says that in nearly
every county and city in the Com
monwealth there Is home for the
poor, the conduct of which is entirely
in the hands of local officials, and
/ that the Eye and Ear Intirmary IL
/ Richmond, the Medical College OF
] Virginia Hospital in Richmond, AND
other hospitals receive aid from TIE
State annually TO afford treatment tc
| INDECENT persons suffering from oil
sease.
Speaking of the State penitehtiary
Mr. Gillian in his report says: The
State peniJentiary is in most graft
flying condition. Instead of being Il
burden TO the State it Is Il source o.
revenue At the end of last year
there were in the penitentiary 3Ol
white and 1880 colored prisoners, .
total of 1880 In 1850 the proportion
of colored convicts TO the colored
population was 6 10 every 5000, that
of the whites TO every 1000. Since
that date crime among the white
people has not increased, while, nc
cording to Superintendent Lynn
estimate, there are now about >.
negro convictS to every 1000 OF the
colored population
Mr.. Gillian, in speaking of refor
matories says that the Prison Asso
citation of Virginia. Incorporated IL
March, 1890, is accomplishing much
good. In closing his report he says
I'm q beautiful spot near Richmond
may be seen Il group OF cottages. &
hospital and a church erected a few
years AGO for the relief of INDECENT
old Confederate soldiers. Lee CAM
of Confederate Veterans and the
Ladies Auxiliary, God bless oul
noble women. who alone have con
tributed since the organization o
this home ir 1853 over $325, 200 to
ward this most conmendable object
The State appropriates an annuity
of $4,000 toward the maintenance o
this charity. In addition to this the
State gives stipend on pension
annuity to number OF needy Con
federate soldiers and their families
Last year this amount aggregated
| S109, ZOO. Still the revenues are III
sufficient to meet all the demand:
and necessities OF poor old soldiers.