The Washington times., 1901-12-30
ASYLUM FOR
INEBRIATES.
WaShingtOn'S Great Need
for Such a Refuge.
HORKHOUSB SENTENCES A FAILURE.
Judge Kimball and DR.. Richardson
Firm in Conviction That the Cap
itars Greatest Weapon Again
Drunkenness Would Be Ere
Treatment for Dipsomaniacs.

In all the wonderful progress made by
Washington since Gov. Alexander Shep-
herd changed the city from mudhole to
/ the Paris of America. it has in one re-
spect stood still, where other communi-
I ties have recognized an ever present evil
by combating it scientifically The Ma
| tional Capital, with all its hospitals. in
firmaries, and benevolent houses of refuge
for the pauper and the invalid does not
number among its Institutions an inebri-
ate asylum.
There Is hardly city of its size in the
United States that Is not bulwarked by a
public sanitarium for the cure and re-
straint of inebriety.
Il of Vital Necessity.
! That Washington lacks this necessity
vital TO every largely populated centre is
entirely the fault OF Congress. which has
been importuned for years past to appro-
PIRATE money and pass laws for the main
tenance and government of such an asy-
! lum, and countless bills have been intro
duced TO that effect. but for some reason
the measures have all expired of that
mysterious legislative disease known as
laying it on the table"
In every annual report made by the
Commissioners, as well as the reports OF
the Major of Police and the Judges of
the Police Court, Wanted, an inebriato
asylum" has been emphatically dwelt on.
but without avail.
Apathy of Congress-.
Some might accept this action on the
part Of the nations lawmakers as
compliment to the sobricty of the city
where they pursue the weary trend of an
official grind. but the temperance people
and such men as DR.. A. B. Richardson.
Superintendent of the Government Hos
pital for the Insane. and Judge Kimball
realize the hopelessness of any efforts TO
reform drunkards, especially those in the
lower strata OF life, without the aid OF an
inebriate asylum.
Confinement Not n Cure.
II is daily occurrence for some shak- !
ing derelict OF humanity, his nerves shat
tered by alcoho! and his whole system !
sunken in debauchery to be brought into |
the Police Court charged with vagrancy. |
and just so often does the judge say, sor-
roITfully, THE workhouse is not the pro-
per place to send this man. He should |
be sent to an inebriate asylum: it's a 1
shame Washington is without one"
Judge Kimtall said to a Times reporter
one day after such an episode: III Con
ress would Appropriate thousand dol
lars every time I've made that remark
we would, have money enough to build the
finest asylum OF its kind in the world"
Hope Lies In Congress.
DR.. Richardson, in discussing the sub
ject with Times reporter recently, spoke
of the efforts ne had made in conjunction
with Judge Kimball TO secure legislation
on the matter. Dr. Richardson said sci
ence recognized drunkenness as a disease.
and was ever searching a remedy to
cure it.
"But il is yet to be discovered re-
marked The celebrated alienist, regret
fully. Yes; ! know what you would say
regarding a certain treatment for dip
IT has accomplished a world OF
good; IL has saved some dear friends OF
mine from a degrading enc. but il does
not save all; it is not an infallible anti
doto for alcohol and that is what the
world is in sore need of.
Just now we need an inebriate asylum,
anu require u bdtlN. nave great nope
Of Congress making provision for one dur
ing the present session. An individual
who is a dipsomaniac can no more stop
drinking by force Of VIII. except in rare
they are rare. indeed
than consumpt!ye can prevent his
coughing
Therefore we should have an asylum
where drunkards will have the benefit of
I'll the progress science has made In
a desire for alcohol.
Poor the Worst Sufferers.
Men and women tainted with such
lppetites who possess sufficient means
an seek refuge in sanltariums, of which
he country is full. but how about the out
,ast who would reform If he could obtain !
proper treatment: why. the vorkhouse is
left for him. and the workhouse is not {
he place for a drunkard. {
AN inebriate asylum is needed, and !
hope we will have one here speedily, ! l
shall use all my influence and endeavors
10 such an end"