Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-07-07
WATERBURY ASYLUM REPORT.
Committee Recommends Removal Of
Superintendent and Trustee.

The commission appointed by TIL
governor to investigate affairs In tn
various state institutions, consisting
of N. G.. Williams, of Bellows Falls, III
Il. Brigham, of Bakersfield and G. ii
A. stafford of Morrisville, reported tC
Gov. Bell Friday, June 80, Its finding:
regarding conditions at the state hos
pital for the insane at Waterbury.
The report convers fifteen typewrit-
| ten pages. It's most important rec
ommendation Is that the superintend-
ent, DR.. Marcello Hutchinson. be re-
moved for failure to carry out instruc-
tions, and that George w. Wing. OF
Montpelier, chairman of the board OF
trustees, be removed In effect, for lack
of proper business sagacity and fol
failure to cause the superintendent IL
obey orders.
The commission reports that 1t finds
the buildings in good repair sons
changes are recommended In the way
of better ventilation and greater fire
protection, including changes In the
matter of hose and fire escapes. Diff
ferent quarters for convalescing pa
tents are favored and 1t Is thought
there should be more room for exercise
for the patients The report finds that
the inmates have received good care.
No fault is found with the food sup
ply which is considered good. The
cost of maintenance Is larger than Il
ought to be. The salary paid the farm
superintendent is considered larger
than is necessary.
Considerable attention is paid to the
question of fuel supply. The commits
sion finds that proper business care
has not been exercised in the purchase
of coal. Recommendation is made that
side track be laid to the institution
to facilitate the unloading of coal and
supplies. Had the system of pur-
chasing supplies recently adopted been
put in force earlier large sum OF
money might have been saved. The
accounts of the institution are found
to be correct.
In connection with the recommended
ton that Superintendent Hutchinson
be removed the statement is made that
the salary of $500 and perquisites
paid the superintendent is too large,
SO, 600 being considered a sufficient
sum. In closing the commission says
that it finds nothing to indicate graft,
or dishonesty of any kind
on the part of the officials of the in.
stitution.
Superintendent Hutchinson has held
his position since April /, 1893. He
had had previous experience in sim.-
lar institutions in Massachusetts and
was superintendent of the Massachu-
sets hospital for dipsomaniacs and in
sbriates, at Foxboro, Mass, when he
was called to take charge of the hospi-
.al at Waterbury. He is So years old.
This is the second time that super
ntendent of this institution has been
for cause the first being Dr..
W. II. Giddings, of Bakersfield.
Mr.. Wing is 81 years old, and is
prominent Montpelier lawyer. He has
the city in the state legis-
ature was Montpelier's first mayor,
md is now state librarian. He has
,een grand master of the Grand lodge
# Masons in Vermont.
Acting on the recommendation of the |
committee Gov. Bell has asked MI /
Wing for his resignation which was |
orwarded by the latter Immediately /
lpon receipt of the governors letter. /
The resignation Is to take effect az
nee. Mr.. Wing says he sees no evil
ence of lack of duty or indiscretion
n his part to warrant the committee
n their finding against him. DR.. Mar
clio Hutchinson, the superintendent, /
as been suffering during the past
feek from kidney trouble and was not
of the report of the state