The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-03-06
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6. 1901.
The GRAND JURY's REPORT.

After a most careful investigation of
matters laid before the Grand Jury, a
find the sincere approval of the best
people in this community. The Judge,
we presume, made his "chargejs" in
good faith, and he will undoubtedly
feel pleased to know from the report
that he was misinformed, or had been
dreaming when he told the Grand Jury
about the terrible conditions of the
Asylum and at Iwilei. Judge Hum
phreys now stands as the mark of ridi-
cule in this community, and it is to
be regretted, because he has many
brilliant qualities, which would have
made him a most desirable citizen for
Hawaii. In his charges and instruc-
tions to the grand jury he exhibited
his personal spite against the High
Sheriff and the Superintendent of the
Asylum. We can understand his ill
feeling against the High Sheriff, be-
ed him, but we cannot give any reason
for his rancor agains tthe Superin-
tendent of the Asylum, except it is
caused by the fact that his room in
ward 2 is not yet ready.
The grand jury, composed of level
headed property owners and business
men, made Investigations and in it's
report makes valuable suggestions in
regard to the Insane Asylum. Many
good suggestions are made through in
formation furnished by DR.. Herbert
the Superintendent The public works
boss" is justly scored for the lack of
suitable quarters for patients, and
the Grand Jury specially condemn
and severely criticise the action of
the authorities in establishing the
stone blasting and crushing plant
within say 100 yards of the Asylum
Building, and upon land set aside rs
the Asylum reservation, anu it seems
strange and remarkable that whoever
is responsible for selecting this To-
cation for the purpose named, did
not Immediately see that it would be
most undesirable for the unfortunate
inmates of the Asylum.
The Grand Jury believe it is gen
orally an accepted fact that what is
most needed by the insane is abso.
lutte rest and quiet, and this jury can
testify that the continual roar of the
stone crusher is most trying Qast-
ing as it does during the entire day.
to the ordinary person, while the
blasting that is done at intervals is
always startling, and must be terri
flying to persons suffering from alb
creations of the mind.
In our opinion the stone crushing
plant should be peremptorily removed
from the vicinity, even at large cost
and much trouble, as we believe
that the unfortunates of the Asylum
are entitled to every possible chance,
facility and remedy to recover, which
we believe is denied them in largo
measure so long as the roar of the
stone crusher and explosions in blast.
ing are continued in the immediate
vicinity.
The Grand Jury pays high tribute
to the efficiency and conscientious
work of Dr.. Herbert, in saying his ad-
ministration as Superintendent of the
Asylum is most efficient and praise
worthy, and it could easily be possible
to have resident less satisfactory
in results and management than the
present nonresident superintendent
1t realizes the difficulties of the con-
ditions existing here and states that
it is true that with the class of in
mates to be and at present handled at
the Asylum, the physician in charge
is handicapped as compared with the
institutions of the kind elsewhere in
the UAited States. Antecedents, fam.