New-York tribune., 1903-02-25
REFORMS FOR INSANE.
Governors Intended improvements Tor state
Wards.

,ttsr,- Feb a4-what Governor odell intends
70 accomplish in improving the conditions OF the
State wards and insane at a minimum eApense
20 the taxpavers was made known to-day before
the senate Finance Committee The information
s,,,o forth az hearing on the bill providing for
the transfer of the inmates of the Bedford Re-
fornatory for Women to other institutions OF
similar character at Albion and Hudson.
The statement, which proved surprise TO the
committee as well as those who appeared IN
oqposition to the BILL made by II. H. Bender.
Fiscal Supervisor. who is regarded as speaking
directly for the Governor. The statement was in
part follows:
Governor odeI in the face of much hostile cTiti
cism. affected change in the lunacy laws WILL VIII
Among the improvements which have lou; ionowFu sc
commo6ations for the patients is the most III
portant p+orson
allowing greater cubic area for each patient the
asylurs have been found to be in an overcTo"4sse s
State Architect as result Of this suggestion 70
commodation for thirteen hundred patients can be
provided by the transfer of the officers quar- teIs 81
to separate buildings to he erected. This is the
The Governor also recommended the erection Of
vided for by the legislature. This is not only IN
the direction of the isolation of tubercui%9Sds %
lent results which have followed the prompt treat
Hospital have led the State Commission in Lunaey
to suggest pathological institution IN I4 the GHo ~
carry out this lafter-day and sensible suggestion; &
It is also contemplated to establish another nos o
pitals which are now overcrowded and to prepare
for the ultimate surrender of a portion of the
Manhattan Hospital sroup the property OF " %I6n tS
State holds under lease
necessary TO provide promptly additional room Ths
Governors attention was directed TO the beol4tr l
County. by reports alleging a lack of discipline,
excessive cost and a failure secure the results
facts he recommended its conversion into an in
S1tGon for the qeamgt @ ana care cod 9[ 5e reoeiVe
speedy treatment in close proximity to New. ! oIk
the necessity of sending them direct to the other
asylums and mixing them with the chronic inssne.
The Bedford institution was the target of scath-
b Setn Rosr az SbaItie e i nder late OF Nav
and 2. 1902. when it shown that the discipline
ard as to cleanliness and that for the purpose of
subduing refractory inmates they were sublecting
turning water upon them from a hose, a met3oG
o. & Wnen 44i dS ios on +6 tafe The rifi
cism led up to an examination of the item Of ex-
results obtained With other institutions Of the
character, and to the advisa hty OF converting II
Of the insane.
The hearing of the spiciest Of the ses-
sion, and nearly developed some partisan heat be
tween Senator Grady, vino is member of the
committee and Mr. Bender
There was large representation in opposition
TO the bill Among those present were President
James Wood Of the Bedford board Of managers;
Mrs William Emerson, president of the Women's
Prison Association; George F Garfield, president
Of the State Charities Aid Association; D. J. Bar
rows. secretary Of the State Prison Association
Mornay Williams, president of the board of trIs-
tees of the New-York Juvenile Asylum George B.
Robinson, president of the Catholic Protectory.
and the Rev. Father D. J. McAIahon. formerly
supervisor of the Catholic Charities:
In brief. The opposition argued that Bedford IS
not a suitable place for insane asylum of any
kind, and that Albion and Hudson. to which it is
proposed TO transfer its inmates. cannot properly
accommodate them.