The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-23
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Draft of Bill TO Regulate Pro-
eeedings IN Lunacy.
Present Methods Very Expensive,
Which the Proposed Legislation
Recommends Return TO Trial by
Jury OF Alleged Insane Persons.

l. =
terday sent to the Commissioners the draft
of G bill TO provide for the procedure in
the District of Columbia for admission 10
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
in certain cases In his letter TO the Com
missioners the Auditor states that the pres
ent law regulating commitments to the
hospital involves an annual expenditure Of
about $500 while the law in force prior
TO January 81. 1899. and which it is pro-
posed by the new bill TO reinstate upon the
statute books, the Auditor says. required an
outlay Of less than $500 per annum- With
the bill are also sent extracts of an opin-
ion Of the Attorney of the District show
ing the necessity for the enactment Of the
measure.
The dill. which is brief, provides for
simple proceedings in the Supreme Court
OF the District of Columbia holding an
Equity Court. The Commissioners shall
under the proposed law file with this
tribunal a petition signed by one Of their
number or by some other responsible par
t. setting forth the facts relative to the
insane person Upon receipt of this petit
tion the court is authorized to issue
writ de lunatico inQuirendo." whersupon
the proceedings shall be III conformity with
the laws in force upon the subject, jan
uary 80. 1898.
From the Attorneys opinion. extracts
of which accompany the bill. it is learned
that the average number OF INDECENT in
sane persons committed to the Govern
ment hospital each year is about 250. not
to mention the large number of cases
brought TO the attention of the authOri-
ties requiring investigation, but not re-
sulting in commitment 10 the hospital.
The Attorney says that prior to January
81, 1893 indigent insane persons in the
District we're committed TO the Govern
ment hospital for the insane upon the
finding of jury that they were Of IN
sound mind The expenses Of the proceed
ings had been reduced 10 the minimum
by a provision in the Deficiency Appro-
priations act, approved July Z. 1898 which
authorized the United States Marshal TO
empanel a jury in attendance upon one of
the criminal courts in executing writs of
de lunaJico. AS a result, he says. such
cases were tried without any considerable
delay
Mr Duvau states that for this simple
and inexpensive process Congress sUbsti-
tuted the act OF January 81 1899, which
he thinks of doubtful eoDstirutioDality,
because il in terms denies 70 the alleged
lunatic the right of trial by jury. and
commits the question of his insanity 70
the determination of the Justices of the
Supreme Court Of the District holding a
/ special term Of The Orphans Court for
/ that business The Attorney declares
that q person who is alleged 10 be OF IN
sound mind IS entitled to have the ques-
tion of his sanity passed upon by a jury
/ of his cCuntrymen. The ordinary mode OF
/ procedure. he says, in such cases both in
the United States and England is 10 issue
commissions out Of the Court Of Chan
cery, or the Court OF Equity 10 enquire
4 into cases Of alleged insanity. The com
! mitments, he sa~ are issued on petition
! accompanied by -1t2zavit as 10 the truth
! OF the facts SET forth therein. Mr. Du-
vail says this has been regarded as the
proper practice in this Jurisdiction. and
/ he makes a strong appeal for return to
/ it By the enactment of the proposed bill.
The Commissioners have received from
Daniel l. D. Granger, Mayor Of Froyi-
| dence. r l.. a letter Of enquiry relative
TO the operation of street railways in the
/ city Of Washington and District OF Co
/ Iumbia. In reply TO this letter The Com
misEioners state that~the information de-
sired viii be forwarded TO him as soon as
il can be obtained and put in proper form.
The Commissioners have received from
the Director General Of the International
Exposition, which was held in Paris las;
year, copies of the statistical reports Of
| the Exposition, reports Of the schools Of
1 Paris from 1871 TO 1900 and a formidable
/ list Of other documents. In acknowledge
| ing the receipt of the same the Commits
sioners state that they viii send copies
Of their annual reports for the current
year.