Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07
The Washington Asylum.

It is very evident from the report OF the
committee OF the board Of charities on the
condition of affairs at the Washington
Asylum that the immediate corrective at
tention of the Commissioners to the subject
Is necessary. 1t is shown by the committee
that the discipline at the three branches
of the asylum is lax, that authority is diff
fuse and disregarded and that bad business
methods are in vogue. The food supply is
managed with an incomprehensible inatten-
ton to the needs of the inmates and 1t
would also appear with total disregard
for the fiscal welfare of the institution
The intendants statement to the com
mittee leaves everything to be desired In
the way of explanation. and unless he Is
able to offer a stronger defense to the Com
missioners and more direct refutatlon OF
the charges, corrective measures should at
once be instituted. This is by no means
the first time that this establishment has
been subjected to criticism. Some years
ago The Star demonstrated by means of
first hand investigation that the manage
ment of the workhouse was grossly in
adequate, and although this exposure Of
it's sins of omission and commission caused
a temporary betterment later disclosures
indicated clearly that the reform had not
struck to the roots.
Within few months escapes from the
workhouse have occurred so frequently
as to cause public apprehension that the
institution was not carefully guarded. The
circumstances developed In consequence of
these Jail deliveries were far from 1atter
ing to the management and might properly
have sufficed for the institution Of a sweep
ing reform. But the matter was passed
over with reprimands, and now the question
of the domestic administration of the asy
lum has received such pointed attention
that it is impossible longer to continue to
be satisfied with mere reproofs.
There has long been a belief in the Dis
trict that 1t is unwise to combine the aims
house and the workhouse features of the
asylum under single management, and a
move has already been made toward sepa-
rating them. They are distinctive estab-
lshments in their character and should
be kept apart in point Of location and gov
eminent. If Congress will hasten the
necessary appropriations, progress can
perhaps be made next year in this direction.
and in view of the disclosures of this and
previous inquiring committees. such a
change can not come too soon. There has
never been warrant for associating the two
functions of guardian of the poor and
keeper Oh tlle D1Strlct prisoners.
The workhouse is the Districts jail. in
that 1t is the place for OBTAINING those who
have offended against the minor regula-
lions. These men can not be kept in the
jail Itself, which Is reserved for those
who have broken the federal laws Much
is to be desired in the way of maintaining
this group of offenders, who are required
occasionally to contribute to the public
welfare by forced labor on the roads In the
parks and in the opening of new streets.
Washington should have a model penal
institution for all grades of offenders, Just
as its almshouse should be above the
slightest reproach. The unfortunates who
are thus taken into the keeping of the
community should be decently provided for
in all respects affecting their health and
comfort, and should not be treated as in
any way subject to the same system of
management as that which properly applies
to a prison.
In the light thus shed upon the establish
ment. direct corrective measures can easily
and should at once be taken.