The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-07-01
'No EYIpENcE oF GRAFr.
State Asylum Clear Of That, Says the
Committee.

Besides asking for the designations
Of Superintendent Hutchinson and Trus-
tee Wing Of the Vermont State Asylum
for the Insane, as announced in yes
terday's paper, the special investigating
committee reports that it finds the
buildings in good repair. Some changes
are recommended in the way Of better
ventilation and greater fire protection,
including changes in the matter Of hose
and fire escapes. Different quarters for
conyaleseing patients are favored and
it 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 supply, which il considered good.
The cost of maintenance is larger than
it 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 purchasing
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
tion that Superintendent Hutchinson be
removed the statement is made that
the salary Of $4,000 and perquisites paid
the superintendent is too large, $4,000
being considered q sufficient sum. In
closing the commission says that it
finds nothing TO indicate graft, corTup-
ton 81 dishonesty 81 any kind on The
part cf the officials Of the institu-
tion.
Superintendent Hutchinson has held
his position since April /, 1889. lie
| had had previous experience il siIni-
| lar institutions in Massachusetts, and
was superintendent Of the Massachusetts
| hospital for dipsomaniacs and inebriates
Fat Foxboro, Mass, when he was called
I to take charge OF the hospital at Water
bury. He IS a6 years old. This is the
second time that a superintendent Of
this institution has been changed for
cause, the first being DR. w. III. Gid
dings Of Bakersfield
Mr.. Wing is 81 years old, and is
prominent Montpelier lawyer. He has
| represented the city in the state legis
| lature, was MontpelieT's first mayor,
and is now state librarian He has
been grand master Of the Grand Lodge
Of Masons in Vermont
An Official Scored
That part Of the 15-page report which
refers TO Superintendent hutchinson, is
as follows
The testimony reveals the fact that
the superintendent, Dr.. Hutchinson, has
given very little time, care and atten-
| tion 10 the patients and the general
supervision 81 the institution which be-
longs to an expert in his especial pro-
/ fession and department, and also that
/ he does not seem to have given much
attention to the duties for which he
was specially engaged at d very geiier
/ ous compensation, SO that the state has
/ not been benefited as it should have
been by his professional experience. The
| records of the trustees show that he gaze
| 10 little attention to the strictly hospi-
/ tai work that vote Of the trustees
/ was passed, requiring him to visit each
ward at least once each week. The
testimony Of the physicians, attendants
and Of the superintendent himself shows
that this vote Of the trustees was not
obeyed, and we 80 find. The only ex
cuse given By the superintendent for ne
glecting his duties and for not comply
/ ing with the vote Of the trustees was
the time lie had to devote to the busi-
ness management of the institution.
This, in our opinion, is not iustidca-
tion, and we are forced to the conclu-
sion that change in the office Of SUI
perintendent should be made, and we 50
recommend.