Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-09-14
Communicated
A QUESTION OF RIGHT.

EDITOR CITIZEN: 1t is said that
there lies in the Jail of Northumber-
land county man bereft of his
reason, who. although adiudged a
lunstic is treated as a common Grim
inal and has lain in that miserable
place for six months. 1t is alleged
that the asylums of the State are al
ready oyercrowded and that there is
no room for this unfortunate. This
may be true, but it will be noticed
by the observer that when man who
has money, or has influential friends,
is adjudged lunatic place in
one of the State asylums is found
very quickly. Of course it may have
been found necessary to kill off some
poor devil already there, or to dis
charge another to make room, but
room was found, nevertheless. In
the case under consideration it APP
pears that the unfortunate man has
neither money nor influence. 1t is
a case of "The poor ye always have
with you," and in this case it seems
to have been predetermined to make
literal fullillment of that saying,
unless the man should in a fit of
perverslty take notion to die and
spoil it all. II is wonderful how the
perverseness of human nature plays
havoc with the finely srun theads of
philosophical philanthropy. 1t will
be remembered that the "parochial"
children under the charge of the
lamented Mr.. Bundle exhibited this
perversity to such a remarkable
degree that just as soon as they were
brought to condition to exist on a
spoonful of Cruel a day they
obslinately refused to live any longer,
and died just to aggravate that great
and good man. Of course popular
wrath would be visited upon such
treatment of one of Gods unfortu-
mates as this inmate of our Jail. but
the public is very complacent toward
those in authority who can throw a
lunatic into Jail, yet claim to be
unable to do anything more for him.
If there was any money in the case
the doors of the asylums would
open very quickly. kissing is not
the only thing that goes by
favor. There is evidence of this
to be seen on every side. Money or
influence is the potential wand at
the magical touch of which all OBJ
strnctions are removed and the WAYS
to royal consideration made straight
and smooth. The unfortunate man
that is being treated as common
criminal may have no claim to con-
sideration or commiseratlon on ac-
count of his moneyless condition,
but because of the fact that "what is
everybody's business is nobody's busi-
ness" the public is inclined TO let
things take their course, and under
this condition the authorities are
content to let such things severely
alone.
There is in one Of the State insti-
tutions a gentleman of meaus who is
said to be subject to attacks of
mental alteration and who has been
placed there since the moneyless
lunatic was incarcerated in the COM
mon Jail. While in an adjoining
State the writer was shown a letter
written by the gentleman himself, a
copy of which, with all names omitted,
is appended:
August 8, 1900.
DEAR SIR; My object for writing to
you is that heard through my wife that
you wanted to buy the-(boat). don't
know what condition she is in, as have
not been on board of her but once since
bought her. She has dredging outfit, or
should have. Capt. - knows where
1t is. She ought to have a>good set of
sail covers. 1t is useless for me to tell
you about her as l expect you have seen
her. She ought to be worth $500 90. If
you want her your paper is good enough.
don't think she owes anything in Bal
timore, only little bill to Turnbull for
liking the pump. don't know who has
her hired. ! am sure you do. would
not sell her, but l am here, and don't