New-York tribune., 1902-02-06
LUNACY BILL PASSED.
SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST
BOARDS OF MANA GERS.
THREE REPUBLICANS JOIN THEM

Albany. Feb. x CSpeciaD.-The Bracket
Rogers bill aboshing the boards Of managers
for the State hospitals for the insane. and
placing the mana cement and control of these
institutions in the State Commission in Lunacy.
passed the Senate this afternoon by a vote of
81 10 IS The twenty mine members who were
found TO support the bill yesterday, as told
in The Tribune this morning, were reinforced to-
day by Senators Brown and Humphrey. who,
because of the storm. had hitherto been unable
10 reach Albany. The debate on the bill ex-
tended over three hours. The friends Of the
measure had the floor to-day, and succeeded
ny means Of explaining the true purpose and
the real scope Of the measure in disarming to
great degree the opposition which had been
presented in the long debate Of yesterday.
The Democrats voted solidly against the bill,
snd We're Joined by three Republicans-Senators
El3berg, Malby and Willard.
1t was evident in the course Of the debate to-
day that the arguments in favor of the bill
which have already been made in Senate and
Assembly have converted a great number Of
citizens into favoring its provisions who on its
introduction had been sverse to it Senators
Green, of Binghamton. and White. OF Syracuse
both showed numerous letters they had recently
received from constituents who had thus ex-
perienced a change of opinion the bill
SENATOR WHITES CHARGES.
in favor Of the measure:
There IS every reason for the change in the
management Of the hospitals. for the State in
sane which is contemplated in this bill There
have been frequent instances of misconduct
wrong and even Of corruption on the part OF
some Of the managers, who are now intrusted
with the care Of those institutions The facts
are not all known TO the general public but it
is fact that in many cases which have been
investigated, it has been found that food. sup
piles and other necessary articles for the main
Tara Of haN hes hon
from relatives of the managers and at prices
Tidiculously eXtravagant
MANAGEMENT IS LAX
Senator Raines made forceful speech for the
bIl. in the course Of which he said:
The managers of these State hospitals for the
insane in many instances do not investigate
carefully enough. They ought to detect abuse
and wrong and extravaganza, and correct such
evils. You can count on your fingers those who
really visit and inspect these institutions.
Senator Malby replied to Senator Raines by
saying that the managers of the St. Lawrence
Hospital carried on its work better than he be-
neved they could do under the proposed law.
The Senator from St Lawrence mmedi-
stely taken to task by Senator Bracket, who
introduced the measure in the upper house, who
said that the duty Of the manager was like
that of bank examiner, whose business 1t was
TO ferret out wrong and expose 1T. Continuing
he said:
The purpose of the bill in transferring this
appointing power to the State Commission IN
Lunacy is TO divorce the duties OF inspection
from those Of appointment When you have,
at present body of men who both appoint
official and then inspect his acts. the result is
that the misdeeds Of the likely TO be
overlooked. Certain acts OF certain managers
have been scandaloUs We all know that, and
the Senator from the XXXIId (referring to
Senator Malby), will agree with me. Conse-
auently, we want a system such is provided
in this bill, where the superintendents are ap-
pointed by one board, such as the Lunacy Com
mission, and inspected by another. board, such
as local board of visitation and inspection.
SENATOR BROWN RELUCTANT.
Senator Brown, in speaking for the bill said:
/ going 10 support this BILL I confess
with some reluctance. That reluctance has
arisen from opposition to il from such good au-
thorities as Mr.. Osborn, lately a commissioner in
lunacy and other persons who have been most
useful under the present system. However, the
motive OF this bill is clearly that of economy
am willing. upon the judgment of such careful
ana palnstaking men as the Governor, the chair
man Of the Finance Committee and the presi-
dent Of the Senate. and the corresponding off,
GERS Of the Assembly, who have given such
carefuI examination and attention to this mat
ter. TO make a trial. If It shall turn out that
tt is at the expense of humanity, I shall be
anxious to retrace the steps 1 have taken.
/ believe that 1t is a fact that the present pro
rata maintenance Of the inmates Of these insti-
tutions is less than IT ever has been before It
does not follow, however, that II should not be
still less. The shibboleth Of this administration
has been economy. think 1t is also humani-
tartan.
On the rollcau the following mem bers In ex-
planning their votes made short speeches for the
bill: Senators Green, Hill, Lewis, Marshall.
Mckinney, Slater and Wilcox. Senators Els
berg and Willard also explained their votes
against the measure, and said that they re-
gretted deeply cutting away from the Repub-
hcan party in opposing its provisions.