Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-14

should be made in the manner above
suggested, and this will do away en-
tirely with the confusion of accounts Of
the institutions.
The legislative appropriations last
wear were entirely too small for insur-
apce on the State institutions. This
is a matter which cannot be econo-
n,i7ed Insurance is absolutely de-
manded and without it we are liable to
lose valuable public property. When
the different boards presented the fact
m me that there was no money for in
snrance. there was nothing for me to do
hut m borrow the money and pay the
nremiums. as the risk was entirely too
GREAT TO depend upon the non-payment
of the premium. The amount that we
owe on the insurance OF the public
buildings is $3.50. including interest.
T have in my office, subject to the In
senction of the Legislature, the policies
With the amount and carefully item
ized statement prepared OF the amount
co Maid out This money was borrow
cd mon my personal statement and
bona II will be the pleasure OF the Leg
islature to repay the same.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE Al
WESTON.
The report of this institution is very
full and complete. My anticlpations III
regard to its reorganization nave Deeh
fully realized. Every department mas
worked smoothly. The ohcers nave
managed the institution with consuin-
mate ability. The new regulations IN
Produced have been very successful
and even q casual observer Will appre-
cia+e the splendid efficiency OF this asy-
Inn improvements have been made In
all the methods of caring for the IN
mates and better food and more SUIT
able clothing have been supplied them
at 2 diminished cost over previous
years. .. 49,
AS will be seen by the report the
ner cent. Of cures has been increased.
| The management has been very careIul,
and the administration Of the AFFAIRS OF
the institution has been very wise. Inc
improvements asked for by the otf1cers
and granted by the last Legislature,
, have proved a great benefit, and 1t is
evident that the appropriations were
wisely requested Whilst this IS the
case. larger appropriations are now
needed. | have made it part or my
duty. as Chief Executive Of this State,
TO personally investigte this asylum
along with others. ] do not believe
that il should be the policy of this
growing State to be niggardly with her
unfortunates. believe that good food
should be furnished them and that
every possible device, within reason
able limits, should be given them 10
improve their condition.
The appropriation made by the last
Legislature of 10000 for the construc-
tion of 2 Colored Hospital was found
to be inadequate. A building such as
was needed within the strict range OF
economy was planned, and it was found
that it would be practically throwing
away the States money TO complete the
building for the said sum: and upon
consultation, the Board deemed 1t WISE
to accept the contract for the construc-
ton of the building at $4,000. rms
was absolutely necessary. 1t was I'M
possible TO have finished the building
for a less sum of money, and If the
building had been completed having
any less accommodation, it would have
been a waste of the States money.
heartily endorse the report Of the Re-
gents in asking for this sum, and also
the sum for the plumbing Of the build
ing.
In this connection | very earnestly
request that you will take into consid-
Grafton the report in reference to the
Improvement and remodeling of the old
brick building wherein the colored pa
tents are now confined. These build
ings were not well constructed in the
first place, and personal visit TO them
iustiies the report of the Directors that
this building is not habitable. | hope
that the Legislature will accede TO the
request and allow the officers of this
institution a sufficient sum to place
this building in habitable condition.
1t is in a very bad condition at present,
and no citizen of this State, whether in
sane or not, should be compelled under
the law TO spend his life in such a
structure.
1t was thought by the opening of
the new institution that the patients
at the Weston Hospital would be very
much diminished and that its over
crowded condition would be done away
with. Such has not been the case, how
ever. We have witnessed in this insti-
tuition a daily increase in the number
of patients. The average for this year
has been 952, showing that the increase
for the last biennial term has been as
great as in any other term during the
last six years.
| ask a careful investigation of this
institution. and believe that under its
present management that the money
appropriated by the Legislature has
been most wisely expended, and hope
/ that it will be your pleasure to accAte
/ to their request above enumerated for
| funds to efficiently carry on this work.
I do not believe in false economy in
! this or similar institutions.
| ! have heard some complaint in ref
erence to the continued keeping of lu-
natics in the jails after the writ had
| been awarded and judgment had been
| had upon it. There is no possible eX-
cuse for this state Of affairs except the
desire on the part of the sheriffs to OBJ
tain the cost of the care and mainten
ance OF the lunatic Both boards of
the hospitals have been urgent in their
directions to the superintendent TO
send for lunatics Immediately upon
notification by the sheriff of the county
that an adjudication of lunacy has been
had | am informed by both Of the
superintendent that it is their custom
to send, as soon as possible for the lu-
natics and care for them in the asy-
lum.
| would recommend that law be
enacted compelling the sheriff WITHIN
a certain time after the ADJUDICATION OF
lunacy to notify the superintendent,