Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-07-04
THE REPORT
or MAJORITY
Las Vegas. June 20, 1903.

Sir: The committee 10 investigate
the territorial insane asylum, appoint
ed by your official order on the 9th In
slant respectfully submits the follow
ing report OF its proceedings and find
ings
The committee was organized by the
selection Of MIR r. J. Paen as chair
man on the 18TH instant the day des-
ignatcd In your official notice to the
members for the meeting Of tle com
mit.ee. and the necessary steps were
tai IN TO give the utmost publicity pos
sih' 10 the manner OF procedure 10 be
observed Ia the investigation by pub
lie notice in the newspapers at Las
VI. as and by formal subpoena to all
Witnesses whose names could be ascer-
e. I'd 10y the committee or were fur
n "a by the representatives of the
pa who had been instrumental In
pr ing and publishing details of the
al ID mismanagement of the asylum
Step. were also taken in all cases to
procure the attendance of absent wit.
nesses, and In this particular the board
OF regents of the asylum heartily CO
operated with the committee by paying
all expenses and transportation of such
witnesses. and extending every facility
TO your committee for procuring their
attendance.
Request was made of your commit.
tee by representatives OF the parties
making the charges TO be present in
person or by attorney. which was
granted and during the greater part
of our sessions they were so represent
ed A similar privilege was granted
the board Of directors OF the asylum
and exercised by them. Five full days,
with long sessions open to the public,
were given 10 the hearing of the testl-
mony attached to this report.
Before proceeding to take the testi.
mony, your committee made careful
and thorough inspection of the asylum
and thoroughly looked into all the
methods used by the officials in the
command and management OF the pa
tients and in the discharge of tne gen
eral affairs OF the asylum, and the
asylum appeared TO be in the most ex-
cellent condition, and its affairs judi
ciously and properly managed. Perfect
cleanliness prevailed. there was an en-
tire absence OF repulsive features. the
patients appeared to be as well cared
for and under as little restraint, as
was compatible with their mental con.
dition and IT was matter OF surprise
20 the committee that so satisfactory
condition OF affairs should exist with
so little appearance OF the exertion of
force or restraint The patients APP
peared TO be well nourlshed and your
committee saw nothing in the course
of its inspection meritng criticism or
unfavorable comment.
We found that the charges against
the asylum might be conveniently d.
vided for the purpose Of our report I'M
der the following heads:
Fret. Quantity and quality Of the
food furnished the patients and wheth-
er the patients were subjected 10 any
deprivation of food as punishment.
Second Work, whether the work re-
quired by the patients was OF an ex-
cessive character and what was the
effect on them OF such work as was re.
quired or permitted.
Third. Cruel and inhuman treatment
Male ward-The so-called Ferris
wheel baths: the use OF the gag; the
dip and shower baths7 strapplng to the
doors, and other unnecessary res
traint; blows or kicks inflicted on pa.
fients.
Female ward-Striking. kicking
choking patients; throwing them vic
lently 10 the floor; dragging them by
the hair OF ears; subiectlng patients
TO unnecessary exertlons when in an
enfecbled condition; straplng them "a
the Aoor; whether there was failure
TO guard against unnecessary exposur'
10 cold OF patients confined In cells
the use OF baths, dip and shove.
Fourth Dissertation Of the bodies o.
the deal.
Fifth The DR.. Mohlau case.
Sixth. The alleged mismanagemen
and misconduct Of the officials II
charge.
(a) Board OF regents.
90 Medical superintendent.
(c) Steward.
Cd Mauon.
(e) Attendants
Findings on Charges as Classified.
First. Your committee finds that tn
quantity OF food furnished the patient
is and was ample; that its quality wa
good and wholesome, and that patient
have not been deprived OF food as
punishment.