The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-27
Report Of The Sub Committee On The Deal,
Dumb, and Blind Institute.
The OTHER INSTIlU lions ALL RIGHT.
The House Committee on Asylums ana
Prisons Adopt the Reports the Several
SubCommittees who Inspected tho
state Institutions.

ton. submitted the following.
We, the subcommittee appointed by
your body for the purpose of eNamin-
ing the Western State Hospital and the
Deaf Dumb, and Blind Institution, both
OF which are situated at Stanton. beg 10
report that we have discharged That DUTY.
on the 1ith Of this month, We visited the
Western State Hospital, and Inspected
thoroughly its various departments, IN
GLIDING the male and female wards. to-
gether with the annexes OF that institu-
ton. while We had no reason TO DOUBT
before our visit that we would md this
institution I'm any other condition than
a satisfactory one. we must confess III
the outset that II has far exceeded our
most sansuine expectations. Ihe AT
raugemeut Of IT'S wards and its hygeinlc
condition Indicate a management OF
which the State may well be proud ana
after most critical examination through
It's various departments. we were uhaDie
TO detect anything afording JUST
subject for criticism. The new laundry
department, now under construction. Is
a model OF its kind. ard when finished
viii. perhaps. lie the most thoroughly
equipped laundry in the SOUTH ana
shows a INCONSISTENCIES on the part OF
the MANAGEMENT Of that in$iituiion Whicn
we heartily endorse. The concluVh o.
the inmates OF the various wards was OF
such a character as 20 Indicate tnat
they were we'll and properly cared Tor,
and were rendered as comfortable and
happy as il is possible to do for those
unfortunate classes 80,
We sincerely hope that the state VIII
not. through al insufficient appropriation
for this institution, retard Ns progress
and high state OF efficiency,
,tANFnTfFfAA
In regard to the institution for the
deaf dumb and blind. the same sub
committee offered the following.
Nour committee. appointed 20 Nislt nc
Deaf. Dumb. and Blind Institution, beg
to report that they performed their duty
on the l4th of this month, and submit the
following as our report
The chairman of the subcommittee
having testified before the Joint commit
tee appointed for the purpose or nNes'l-
eating the management OF this insttu-
ton. declines 80 participate IN TINS re-
port: consequently, it is submitted by tne
balance Of the members OF the SID
committee.
We regret exceedingly 10 be unable 10
record orr approval Of the general con-
dition Of that Institution We care
fully inspected It's various departments.
including the dormitories and lavatories
for both sexes, together with the school
rooms and workshops, and were f0rclnly
impressed with their general surround
ings. Indicating an extremely unsatlsiac-
tory condition. We deem X best not
10 20 into details with reference 10 our
objections TO this Institution. nor 10 make
any recommendation in reference 10 IT,
AS the Joint committee appointed 10 in
vestigate its management will doubtless
submit a report covering everything APP
pertaining TO the institution and its man
agement.
The subcommittee that visited the
Southwestern State Hospital, consisting
Of Messrs. II. Hathaway, r. +. Pdmno.
and 5. r. Savers, submitted the Follow
ing:
SOUTHWESTERN HOSPITAL.
The subcommittee OF the Committee
on Asylums and Prisons visited the
Southwestern state Hospital. at Marion.
February 9Th, and beg leave 20 make the
following report:
We made a careful inspec ion cf the
institution and manner Of nanasing It,
and commend the institution ana IT'S man
agement I'm the strongest terms. Books
and accounts are kept in neat ana
business-like manner. the system Of re-
CENTS and disbursements Of money IS
approved.
4 new three-story brick building is
nearly completed with a capacity Tor
TO patients. az a cost 10 the stare OF
slg.50O. This building IS substantially
/ built, Of good material. ami of modern
stvie. The Old building having .een
recently repaired. changing the floors
/ in the bathrooms 20 cement and slate.
/ are now in good sanitary condition. Tho
| electric plant recently rewired aud
! changed 10 remove any danger cf cauS-
ing fire. is in good order, and free from
This danger. The floors in the laundry.
kitchen. amusement hall. and several
wards. are decaying, and need renew
ing and repairing badly.
In our opinion. the institution Is Judi
ciousiy located on an elevated position,
with drainage each way 90 the river on
/ one side. and the creek on the other.
with an abundance OF pure spring water
/ that reaches every part OF the building
Nv gravitation. with the exception OF
needed repairs, the institution Is. in cur
Judgment, i'm splendid condition, well
managed by competent and trust
worthy superintendent. aided by corps
/ of efficient and capable officers aud at
tendants. We. therefore. would suggest
appropriations TO meet repairs and fur
nish new building.
CENTRAL, AT PETERSBURG.
The same subcommittee also submit
ted the following:
The subcommittee OF the Committee
or Prisons and Asylnms appointed 10
visit the State Central Hospital, al Peers
| burg, have done SO, and beg h submit
the following report.
After careful personal tnspe,rion of
the hospital. we find everything IN good
order and well managed. The hospital
| is now crowded, but so far has been able
| 10 care for all applicants. The pa +
| are we'll fed and kindly treated. The
| Board OF Directors have saved from the
support fund a considerable rlnoun- OF
money. with which they propose to erect
another building. which Will soon be
needed. as they have now about al TIE
present hospital can receive.
The books and accounts are We'll opt,
showing every article bought AMI sold.
with checks, bills, and vouclers. COM
! pared and audited by the superintendent
! and Board OF Directors. thus having al
| most a perfect system Of en- ks ard
| balances.
The officers and attendants, IT. our
judgment. merit our highest c'Inmenda-
ton, and are worthy Ok the great re-
sponsibility imposed upon them.
-------------~-----