The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-11-18

evening Tonight Three Christmas
Ewes" will be presented.
WHATEVER may be the outcome of the
legislative investigation into the conduct oi
the state insane asylum at Waterbury, there
can be no two opinions OF the distinguished
ability shown by w. b. G.. Stickney OF
Bethel, who has conducted the case for Dr.
Giddings and the board of trustees. At
every point of the investigation he has
shown, not only that he is master of the
law, but that his insight into human nature
and keenness in the handling of witnesses
are almost unequalled. From the day the
inquiry opened until he concluded his argti-
ment last night he has shown the utmost
familiarity with the case which he had in
hand, even to the smallest detail He has
never been at loss for a reference on an au-
thority. and to-day stands higher in his pro-
tession than he possibly could have before.
THE recent appearance here of Mr.. South
wick and his admirable company of play
ers, in Richelieu " and " Hamlet" has
been to lovers of the drama like a draught
OF cold water in a thirsty land. Burnt cork
and light melo-drama, plotless and SENSE
less, have so long held the boards, and the
conviction has been so strong that nothing
else would draw" that MIR. Southwick 4
success is matter for profound congratula-
ton, and inspires the hope that plays Of
standard excellence, that educate and ele-
vate while they entertain, may be more fire.
quent in the futute than they have been in
the past. 1t is certain that Mr.. Southwick
will have hearty welcome here, if he
comes again, and comes with so good a
support as attended him in his recent visit
That he will come again to Montpelier and
continue the work of restoring legitimate
drama to its right place in the estimation OF
this people, is the prayer of every one of the
hundreds who attended his performances
here last week,
The taking of testimony in the asylum
investigation was completed last Monday.
The arguments will be delivered Monday
evening and this part of the most famous
case of the kind ever known in Vermont
will be closed, though there yet remains
the trial by Washington County Court of
DIR. Giddings under the five indictments of
the grand jury The only witness on the
stand this forenoon was DIR. S. e. Lawton,
superintendent of the Brattleboro Retreat
for the Insane since the death of DR.. Draper
few years ago. DR.. Lawton has devoted
his whole life to the study and treatment of
insanity and testified as an expert in the
management of an asylum and the remedies
relied upon to relieve diseases of the mind.
His testimony in the main was favorable to
DR.. Giddiugs, though from the testimony ii
would appear that patients are handled
with more care and comfort to themselves
at BrattlebOro than at Waterbury, He de-
scribed methods of restraint and seclusion
of destructive patients as practiced at Brat
tleboro, similar to those used at Water
bury. He approved the use of a wedge to
open the mouth of a patient refusing to take
food and thought that wooden wedge
would be preferable to a silver plated one.
he stated that the treatment OF insane pa.
tients is full of exceptions and that each
case may require different treatment from
any preceding it, The investigating COM
mittee visited the asylum yesterday and
spent the day in looking over the institu-
ton. A few witnesses were also examined
while the committee was at Waterbury but
no new testimony or startling feature were
brought out.
MONTPELIER theater goers of some fifteen
years ago will remember "Little Corinne "
the child phenomenon that played the part
of " Little Buttercup" in Pinafore," the
leading role in 1.-THE Mascot" and other
plays She was an infant prodigy and her
acting won great applause She was a child
in years and in her ways when off the
stage, but before the footlights she was the
queen Of the drama. No deductions or al
lowances were to be made on the score of
her tender age. Her acting was marked by
genius, and her exceptionally interesting
personality gave warmth to the admiring
plaudits her work on the stage evoked. In
later years she has appeared in various
burleque plays, in company bearing her
name. She was the foster child of Mrs.
Jennie Kimball who has recently died.
lpaVjnD COrinnn all her aaltl
Corinne ia now nlaving in San Francisco
and sh4 comas hefore the nnhlic as
the founder of the "Corinne Home for
Aged and UJnemnloved Actresses. To
he built in New York She ia said 10 he
one Of the richest Actresses now on the
American stage. she ia vet a vonno woman
and in excellent health noiw withstanding
her nightly appearance in the drama. from
the wears Of early chiIdhood She was at
one lime the obiect of the solicitons atten.
tion. in Nav York of tbe USocietv for
Prevention Of Crneltv to Cbildren y who
had her in conrt with The nurnose of secnr,
inc her withdrawal from The stage on ar.
connt of ber vonth Corinna vent and frat-
ted over tbe marcy of har hanavolent Int
mistaken friends She tool, IN the STAGE 90
naturally as duck to water II was ber
element and She ratprned ,o that elamant
nnder some limitations az to tba nnmhar of
nights in a week. She Seams tn have a
warm heart as we'll "a luminous oenious
for the bnrlesoue.
IHE nhal WORK OF the legislative commit,
tee investigating INTO the management OF
the state insane asylum Is IN progress and
~ Is Aopea that decision may ne reached
tnls M week anu reported 10 th6 ieglsiature
w. b. ~ Stlckney, counsel LOT Dr' Glddlngs
opened ms argument before the committee
al the county court room last evening al
4 r.