The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-03-06

body polite of this Territory.
The report of the Grand jury upon
the condition of affairs existing at the
Insane Asylum reveals most lament
able state of affairs. 1t shows that
some one n authority. connected with
the public works department, either
the Superintendent, Assistant Superin-
tendent or the Road Supervisor have
been guilty of an offense that is little
short OF a crime. From the earliest
days OF civilization il has been the Gus
tom of all peoples to kindly and con-
siderately care for those whose minds
are afflicted In later days they have
been shown every possible attention.
The best of medical treatment has
been provided. Asylums have been
made and maintained more in the ma
ture OF retreats than anything else. in
order that rest from the cares and
worries of the world might bring back
the lost reason.
Yet here in Hawaii officials of the
Territory have been guilty of setting
up on the Asylum grounds a stone
crusher and blasting rock from quar-
ries within a very short distance of
the Asylum buildings. Blasting is
startling to people in sane mind. so
what must il be to the unfortunate in
mates of the Territorial Asylum?
What must be the effects of running a
pounding, roaring stone crusher with
in short distance of the Asylum
buildings hour after hour every work
ing day? Such piece of work is the
most damnable thing of the century
II is worse than the private school
abuses exposed by Dickens. The plac-
ing of the stone crusher on the Asylum
grounds should call for an investis.
ton by the legislature and a demand
upon the Governor for the immediate
dismissal from the public service of
the person, or persons. guilty of hay-
ing placed It there.
The jury advised wisely when it rec
commended the employment of a resi-
dent physician. The present system
is abominable. The Republican has
been several times informed that the
doctor in charge has never visited the
Asylum for days at time. telephon-
ing out to ask if everyone was all
right. Only the closest watch and the
most minute care can ever bring about
recovery of those whose minds be-
come deranged
In fact the whole report on the In
sane Asylum shows that that institu-
ton has been neglected and almost
abandoned by the Territorial officials.
It's conduct as shown by the report of
the Grand Jury is the most scathing
denunciation of the centralized system
of government so long in vogue in Ha-
vail that could be devised The con
duct of the Asylum alone shows that
the whole system is wrong.
The jury very properly recommends
the removal from the archives of the
"rogue's" gallery of the Territory
prison of the photographs of men ar
rested on political charges. There is
no reason why they should not have
been removed long ago as there was
no use in retaining them This is an
other illustration of the benefcence CT
a centralized government. which. true
TO its bourbon instincts, never learns
anything or never forgets anything.
The loose and careless way OF keep
ing accounts in the District Court is
censured. as it should be, and recon.
mendations are made for change in
the present methods.
While the Grand Jury showed itself
lacking in moral sentiment as regards
the community it did some good work.
Let US be thankful for this much gain
ed. The fight for better morals in this
city and for cleaner Honolulu has
only just begun and it will be main.
tanned until victory is accomplished.