Evening journal., 1897-05-08

NATIONAL GUARD TO PHILA-
DELPHIA NEXT SATURDAY.
OTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AFFAIRS.
stan Correspondence Evening Journal
Dover, May S.-Chailman pyle. of
the joint committee appointed to inves-
tigate the condition of affairs at the
Delaware State Hospital at Farnhurst,
made the following report to the Sen
ate yesterday morning:
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of the State of Delaware.
Gentlemen: Your committee ap-
pointed to investigate the needs of and
to examine the accounts of the Della
ware State Hospital for the Insane.
having performed that duty, would beg
leave to offer the following as their re-
port concerning that institution;
We visited the hospital on Friday.
April 3O and were shown through the
entire building by DR.. Hancker and his
assistant DR.. Hammond. We found the
wards somewhat crowded, but with the
completion of the new annex. now
about finished. this trouble will be OBJ
waited.
We found the place scrupulously
clean; the inmates comfortably cloth
ed and apparently well taken care Of
some of the more rational ones speak
ing in the highest terms of their super
intendent. There are at present 1853
male and 105 female patients in the
institution. The total number of en-
ployes. exclusive of the superintendent
and his assistant. are SO, the male at
tendants in the wards receiving $l9 per
month, and the female attendants $14
per month
The average cost per day for each pa
tient is about AZ cents. All supplies
are received by printed contracts. re-
newed every four months. The $4,000
appropriated by the Legislature dur
ing the present session, on account of
the biennial appropriation for the in
stitutiOn is about expended and quar-
terly bills, due May 6, amounting 10
nearly $4,000, should be Immediately
provided for.
Referring to the increased apprOpria-
ton asked for this time, by the board
of trustees we would say that this is
largely accounted for by the fact that
the large annex will make it necessary
to employ from twelve to fourteen eX-
ira attendants, and the extra lighting
heating, etc, will necessarily entail
more expense so that, in our judgment
the amount asked for, namely $4,000
! is not excessive.
Your committee would recommend
! chat some of the weak-minded patient.
| confined there should be returned tC
/ the almshOuses Of the counties Oi
which they were residents, as it would
be less expensive to provide for them
in that way than it is at the insane
hospital, and also, if it were possible
to provide a separate place for the in
sane children, who are at present from
necessity. confined with the adult pa
tients. We would also suggest that the
state should purchase an adjacent
/ tract of land, thirty-six acres, which We
understand can be purchased at a very
/ reasonable figure. The land could b,
/ used to raise vegetables for the use OF
! the hospital, and in our opinion the
state would save the price paid for il
in a very few years. No extra hell
would be required, as there are plenty
Of able-bodied patients, who coulC
work it. and at the same time benefit
themselves by keeping their minds Oc'
cupied.
We examined the books of the insti
I tuition, and found everything correct
and accounted for by proper vouchers
which are always compared with the
contracts before any bills are paid. bu
as additional information we would
recommend the printing in their bien
nial report of an itemized statement o
| the amount, to whom paid, and fol
what purpose paid, Of all checks, th'
| same to be numbered serially.
Also that the fund known as the su
perintendents fund should be unde
the direct control of the board of trus
tees and paid out on the attestation o
the president and secretary OF tn
board.
We would further recommend tn
employment of some suitable person "a
steward at a salary not to exceed $50
per annum. whose duty it shall be q
purchase all supplies and distribute tn
same through the institution. and kee
an account Of the same; also to hav
charge Of the grounds connected wit
the hospital, etc.
The small greenhouse connected wit
the institution is very inexpensive
and is used for growing a few potte
: plants to decorate the lawn and CORR
dor, and seems to be a source of pleas
ure to the unfortunate inmates. i
conclusion, we would recommend tina
d certain amount of the appropriate
be set aside for the purpose of refuI
nishing the superintendent hous'
which is sadly in need of it, as in il
present condition it is not any credi
to the state, some of the rooms bein
without carpet and the window shade
worn out
. The question has been raised as
whether or not the hospital would nee
an assistant superintendent II tn
state should decide to employ a stew
ard, as in the opinion of some, ID
Hancker would then have ample tim
to attend to the professional dutie
connected with the institution. How
ever, the committee decided to leay
that question to the General Assembl.
We would also recommend abolishin
he monthly reports. as at preser
b made by ward attendants.
Very respectfully,
John Pyle,
George L. Pierce.
l..