Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-03-12
FRIDAY EVENING. MARCH i2, 1897.



THE INSANE ASYLUM.
Following is the report made to
the Territorial Legislature at Santa re
by the special committee of its members
appointed to visit the asylum of the
insane at Las Vegas:
In consideration of the report madeb by
your committee on this institution, you will
note that an appeal is made you, dictated
by that sentiment that thrills the heart OF
eyery member of the Legislative body, that
OF the maintenance, OF those beings, who
through that most terrible misfortune,
that can befall humanity, that OF loss OF
intellect and rendered incapable OF help
ing themselves, and are therefore, most In
need, and appeal direct to us for the help
that should, and must, be granted them;
therefore,, in consideration OF what Is
asked of you through your committee,
think well of II, and give to this institu-
zion the fullest measure OF support that
your hands are capable OF.
The board of directors of this institution
consists of six members Your committee
ask that the same conditions be applied to
this board, as are already asked con-
corning regents and educational institutes.
officers, three In number, consisting OF a
medical superintendent, steward and
matron.
Your committee beg leave to report that
everything pertaining to the care OF
patients, and the proper business conduct
of the asylum, is in proper shape, and in q
manner that demands recommendation OF
your committee.
Everything is conducted with the same
attention to detail, as ia TO be found In the
report of the most worthy steward OF the
institution. The committee ask you to look
over the report and therein fnd all matters
pertaining TO the asylum set forth In a
careful and detailed manner aud wlthln
the comprehension of all.
We find that the officers OF this institu-
tion are efficient in every particular, and
have the welfare of the unfortunate peo-
ple under their control at heart.
The matron' and medical superintendent
are entitled to great praise in their hearty
cooperation with the steward, in the
management of the affairs Of the asylum.
Your committee desire to call your at
tention to the report Of the committee from
Territorial council of the t~hirty-frst legis-
l.tive assembly. This report is to be
found on page 2s, Of stewards report for
1896. This report embodies some things
chat are asked for to-day, by the officers OF
this institution. And this committee of the
thirty-seeond legislative assembly, after
careful consideration of the report made
by its predecessors, heartily concur therein.
Your committee, gentlemen, wish to inn
press upon you. to the fullest extent, the
necessity OF providing for these matters,
of direct and most important benefit;
these matters, or at least one Of them, is
mentioned in committee report Of 1895,
eiz: That of finding some means OF en-
abling the officers to get hold OF a piece Of
ground, upon which to grow vegetables.
This is something c~ommendable, not only
enabling the steward to manage more eco
nomically the commissary department Of
the institution, but, more important yet, as
a direct help to the patients, in giving them
an employment that will have q good ef-
feet on their condition.
The other matter is one Of more supreme
Importance, viS. That of making appro-
prlation, for the construction Of some suit
able place for those patients who by their
habits are rendered unfit to mingle with
the other patients. An act is, or will be,
within the consideration Of this legislative
body, providing for funds to build such q
place. Your committee appreciate the
necessity of such a building and strongly
recommend its construction; your commit
tee also recommend that you will give the
matter your full consideration Of allowing
the officers of this institution such funds
as will permit them to establish and main
tain the farm asked for.
Your committee feel that, as you have
within your hand the report OF the steward
OF the asylum for the year 1896, in which
he has detailed all Of Importance concern
ing the asylum, that it would not only be
a recapitulation Of all that he has therein
stated, bat would at the same time be un-
necessary as a part OF this report; there
fore, after calling your attention to the
salary list to be found on page IA of the
report Of 1895, your committee leaves the
matter with you, believing that you will,
In accordance with the dictates Of human
ity and a desire to help an institution Of
our Territory, worthy in every particular,
do all that it is possible for You to do.