The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-07
THE LEGISLATORS
IN PETERSBURG
Committee on Public Institu-
tons Visit Central Hospital.
WELL.MANAGED INSTITUTION
A Reception In Honor Of dovernor's Wife and
Mrs. Cunning, of Massachusetts.
Literary COMMITTEE Of ;he
Epworth League.
WELL.MANAGED INSTITUTION
Especial Dispatch 20 The Times,

Especial Dispatch 70 The Timcs.)
PETERSBURG, VA, March 6.-Ine
Committee on Schools and Public In
situations from the State Legislature in
spected the Central State Hospital at Pc
tersburG to-day. The members who
came were Judge Watkins, of Farmv1lle;
John S. Chapman, of Greene county; A.
r. Hobbs, of Prince George county; J.
r.. Ford, of Loudoun, from the Senate,
and Frank T. West. Of Louisa, from the
House. Page NJ. w. Atkinson, of Rich
1nond city. accompanied the committee
The committee spent most of the day IN
inspecting tho different departments OF
the institution. Judge Watkins, the
chairman, expressed great satisfaction al
the condition at the hospital. He had
nothing but praise for DR.. Drewry, the
superintendent and every department OF
the institution, and said he would hearth
ly support the appropriation for the in
dustrial building and also for additional
laundry facilities.
Judge Watkins said he had followed the
institution from it's foundation and had
never known this or any other public
institution to be in a. better condition.
He and the entire committee We're greatly
pleased with the treatment Of the patients
at the institution This was the day for
the concert and dance in the epileptic de-
partment and the committee witnessed
the dancing Of the inmates and listener
to the concert by them. Mr.. Chapman,
of the Finance Committee, spoke in high
est praise of the institution and It's SUI
perintendent. He agreed with Judge wat
kins that the appropriation asked 1or
by the superintendent and the BOARD was
no moro than the hospital should have
at this time.
NEEDS OF THE HOSPITAL
The appropriation asked for at present
Is for support fund for the year l9o2,
100000; for the year, ending September
Soth, 1868, SOS, GOO; for water supply and
fire protection. $1,000: improvements TO
laundry, s.. eco; industrial building, so,ooo'
additional farms, 5000; additional accom-
1nodations for patients for the next two
years, s25, a total appropriation FOR
two years of s256,coo. Judge Watkins
thinks Dr. Drewry's idea OF an indus
trial building for the making OF various
articles used at the hospital Is an ad-
rnirabie one. The inmates at present
make mattresses, brooms. baskets and
many other things that are used at the
hospital, but this work IS done under
many disadvantages. Fully 30 per cent.
Of the 1,035 inmates are kept enployeo
daily. 1t Is estimated that the addition
of the Industrial building would, within
a few years, reduce the per capita cost
at this institution to SIS per head, which
would be a reduction of one-fourth OF the
expenses There are at present only Two
insane persons in the jails of Virginia
and they will be brought to the inst1tu-
ton at once. No patient at the hosn.-al
IS under restraint. Perfect freedom and
liberty prevails and the kindly treatment
OF the patients by the superintendent, his
assistants and nurses is d subject of COM
,uent by everyone who visits the hospital.
The greatest needs at present are the IN
dustrial building and improvements OF
the water supply for fire protection. Inc
committee will recommend the appropria.
tons asked for and there is no DOUBT tnat
they will be made by the Legislature.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The Executive Committee OF the Cen
.tral State Hospital-Julius Stratus, OF
Richmond; r. B. Cooke, OF Norfolk. and
Robert Gillian. of etersburg--transacted
regular business today.
The Literary Committee Will conducl
the meeting of the Epworth League at
Church tomorrow
night. c.,-r,
Mrs r. B. Davis gave reception this
afternoon and evening in honor Of Mrs.
a. r. Montague, of Richmond, and Mrs.
Arthur ". Cunning, Of Newport. Mass.
a large number Of guests visited Mrs.
nayis' home on the occasion, Governor
Montague being among them.