The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-11
[R. wIcKHAM-s EXPLAINs,

Barksdale wanted some better reason for
voting for this bill than those stated by
Mr.. ONE.
MIR. wIcKHAM-s EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Wickham. the chairman OF the
Finance Committee made a statement
as to the reasons for recommending this
appropriation. In the first place the
number OF inmates of the hospital had
increased by reason OF the burning OF a
portion OF the Eastern. State Hospital
and by the great increase IN insanity
throughout the State. Secondly the
price OF coal and beef had greatly in
creased and flour had gone up in some
Directors had been forced to borrow
money to meet this deficit. The FL
nance Committee thought it were better
to pay this deficit rather than to pay
upon the loan larger interest than the
State receives upon Its deposits in bank.
Mr.. Wickham brought out the fact that
there are being received at this hospital
an average OF one patient day. He
warned the Senate that the proposed I'M
provement at the Eastern State Hos.
pital would not relieve the congestion.
He told the Senator's that they had as
well face the plain, cold fact now, that
within two years there would have to
be built a new State hospital to cost
from $4,000 to s5oo, 900 or else to greatly
enlarge the buildings OF the present hos
pitfalls.
Speaking Of the remarkable increase in ]
Insanity Mr.. Wickham said: Gentle
men. In the language OF another greater
than I. we are confronting a condition
and not theory
In this connection Mr. Wickham took
occasion to pay a very high compliment
to Judge j. L. Tredway, the chairman Of
the Executive Committee OF the Board
Of Directors Of the hospital.
BILL is PASSED.
Mr.. Barksdae said he, had as high
opinion of Judge Tredway as Mr.. Wick
ham. But Judge Tredway nor any other
member Of the Board had the time to
look into all details Of the management
of the hospital. II wish to warn the
Senate right here and now said Mr..
Barksdale. that II wo keep on spending
the States money whenever 1t Is asked
for. the treasury will soon be bankrupt"
Mr.. Barksdale, referring again to the
had written Judge w. R. Barksdale, OF
Halifax, that the asylum was full. but
II he send on the papers he would do
the best he could, the same doctor had
written person Of great Influence to
send on his patient for he had reserved
a place for him. ~ e 5. 5.3
Mr.. Wickham, In reply to Mr.. Barks-
dale, said DR.. Blackboard and Dr. Foster
had explained the cause OF the increase
of insanity. It was sad a pathetic
story. The cause was due to the poverty
Of people who were raised in luxury and
had to face new conditions.
Mr.. Barl<sdalo withdrew his objection
to this bill. saying that later on some
steps could be taken to see whether or
not some plan could not be devised for
a better system of conducting the hos
pitfalls. He meant no reflection upon the
management of any hospital, but thought
there might be some way devised to pre-
vent the expenditure Of money not APP
lpropriated.
Tho bill was then passed by an unani-
NOUS vote.
FOR PURE FOODS.
My Byars made a strong speech for
increasing tho appropriation from $1,000
to not exceeding $1,000 to the Department
of Agriculture for the purpose OF pro-
ihibit1ng the sale of adulterated food.
The Senator from Washington thought
very many foods We're adulterated
No action was taken upon the meas
ure.
SENATE BILLS PASSED.
TO amend section 1851 of the Code.
To authorize the Board of Visitors OF
William and Mary College to use the
appropriation Of 5000 as said board may
HOUSE BILL PASSED,
Appropriating $4,000 for the Eastern
State Hospital, IA
The House,
The House was called to order at noon
by Speaker John r. Ryan, and prayer.
was offered by Rev, John Harmon, d.
p, Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
The Speaker laid before the House tho
following letter, and It was read by
the clerk; ,4 n
flf rs So 4 Richmond Va. Tel, y iohn tftt
Hon. John r.. Ryan: h, 4. 81 y
Dear. sir,-I am requested by the Exec
utive Council of the Virginia Conference.
of Charities and Correotiongfto extend
to YOU and the House Of Delegates a
cordial Invitation to attAad our sessions