New-York tribune., 1902-01-29
A. S. HEWITT TO GOVERNOR
HE URGES MR.. oDELL To CHANGE HIS
COURSE AS To MANAGEMENT
OF ASYLUMS AND OTHER
STATE CHARITIES.
STATE CHARITIES.

Ex-Mayor Abram S. Hewitt has sent letter
to Governor Oden asking him. in polite but
urgent language, 20 change his course regarding
the management of lunatic asyIums and other
State charities. The letter at the outset SAYS
that the Governor has open mind and has
not hesitated TO change his views when it be-
came apparent that the public interests would
be promoted by a different course of action.
The letter then continues:
In your message 10 the legislature YOU have made
recommendations in regard to the management OF
the lundtic asylums. and OF the state charities
generally which. II carried into effect viii produce
you have been moved 10 these recommendation
a concentration Of management will result in econ
Omy 70 the taxpayers. Apparently you have over
nature. which are far more important than economy
in the public expenditure however desirable
So far the bill pending in the legislature.
formulated in accordance with your recommenda-
cooperation OF the commissions composed of private
mated, and the whole responsibility for the
asement OF these institutions will rest upon the
troll Of the expenditures As a mere matter OF
machinery there is undoubtedly something 10
De said IN favor Of this system. bur on in
vestig9tion il will be found TO violate the funda
mental principle which should govern all public
tbt nrtia,s Nv -, 4tI an e U1ol
authority essential There is another grave defect
from the superintendent TO the Lunacy Commits
81 one = f qhe m %no @ Is familiar with the operations
stand that the steward be made tnde-
r the whole institution Without WeT veTv Is rreaf m e69
IuSlon IN The management and in the dietary regu.
me patients; Moreover. the superintendent. who
posed % be an accountant. is charged with the
4ccn OF !TTeasurer re- and must audit and pay every
incornpauotlty between these two functions. and
superintendent impair his efficiency 6y compelling
these two fInctfons IS easily 5etir 'qe b L m
,ts, W hTh are pald Tor these services re-
least i've times as much as an accountant AMI
S5L unceT the proposed law he must devote 10 the
lutely needed for the work of the former No bust
ness man nan, you'd make such mistake
iEnange Is IN the abolition OF the commission OF
laymen. who heretofore have had the management
OF the asylums subject, Of course as 10 their ex-
sion This subject has been discussed Sslrly +ar5
Perately and tudiciaIy by Judge Henry E How
cations which they have made 70 the daiIy papers
ana ON WRcn doubtless. have been addressed TO you
VIII foroear 70 take up your time in going over
than can DO but vent!rs 70 incioss -Isi- ++a
ments in order that NAV ne sure that they have
l can add nothing 10 the fo1ce NJ their arg1I-
~ lllTnIS, Wnfcn TO ny mind are irresistible and in
own experience in reference 70 Iba adr,ivsTrs 1 IN
OF the asyluns in this city before thev become
1sS and 1855 II my duty 70 investigate ne
np munnlCIpaL CHARITIES. began with the lunatc
highest position in is Procession DR. WScronsId
For years had in vain called the 9ttenrjo7 ~ The
public authorities TO the deficiency OF the tnstitu-
hearing because there were no cirizens ass6cisrsJ
MIN Nl[n MN IN the management VINO could compel
public attention u my duty. as we'll as nv
privilege, 10 remedy many Of these defects but the
securing the cooperation OF a considerable number
or devoted and self-sacrfcng citizens to as an
advisory board, and TO that the necessary re-
was introduced into the other r17Inicinsi Cariril
The change produced i'm two wears was r1srve1IC1Is
There Is no time here 10 enter into details but
from being disgrace TO The city OF New-YOrk the
charities became subject OF pride The improve
.dIious men ana women VINO were willing TO give
thsir s une without compensation 70 the relief Of
out q this kind Of experience have grown the
Siate ga boaId or Cnaritles and the State Charities
Of New-York I do not think that there is any one
Of these agencies into the administration OF the
pubic charltles or The state The principle
new constitution and DO not think it entered
zens would ever be dispensed with on any plea
knovviedsed thar the experdtureE ~ me sac fo
charities had always been too little rather than
There is another consideration 20 which feel
rion with all It's wonderful trinphs has deveIoDed
one popularity which ILLS the lover Of his kind
win y[ alarm. As population becomes more dense.
+f InsD+f 20 earn living Is a SteadiIy increasing
ql quaItlty- IN thlS country We have not suffered
which have produced the cancerous growth of 90v
erty in older countries are at work here, and Will
are cOuuteraCted by individual effort. The State
cannot by possibility prevent the advance Of
poverty, which in the end undermines the security
of liberty and property. and ultimately cOmDels
a change. In tFC form Of government from freedom
70 despotism. The only antdOte is 10 be found in
the conscience or the individual, which makes him
that he Is in sense his brothers keeper and
that he owes duty 70 society which can only be
discharged by sympathy with the poor and per
Sstenr effort remove the causes Of poverty. I
am sure that this statement i not exaEEerat ted.
and hence I nlled with alarm when IL pro-
posed behalf of the State divorce itself from
this individual effort which the best hODes
Of humanity The tendency of people is erni-
nently individualistic What Bishop Potter has
termed Institutional charity is really foreign 10
the AnglO-SaXOn temperament Neverth heless the
State Is compelled TO create and supervise pub
lie charities, but so FAR as possible this supervision
should he exercised by and women who feel
that they have "a duty and mission in that firec-
ton
l hope l do not Overstep the bounds Of propriatv
therefore when 7 ask YOU 20 review YOUR position
in reference TO the proposed legiSa ton and so FAR
from approving aiding the destruction OF the
present system. that you viii give the weight Of
YOUR position and Of your personal influence i'm
Layor or ehargins tne opportunities OF private Cti-
zens 70 engage in the management OF the public
charities OF the State
The amendments which have been ted n
the proposed bill do not correct the evils to which
I have referred, and in some respects only make
more clear the that the whole system will he
reduced 10 a system Of patronage. and Therefore
of party politics, your restraining hand
Is removed. unless your successor shall be a man
OF your type more Jealous for the public, welfare
than the of his party