The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-20

asylum, to debar them from remain
ing in the state institutions. under the
care Of our state physicians, where
their W people could look after
them, but the law is so written, and
We removed every that was able
TO pay for admission into a private
hospital, only allowing the utterly in
digent, and those who paid what they
could, but for whom removal meant
the Jail, TO remain in our state hos
pitfalls.
IF We will remember that during
1905, 1,643 patients were treated and
of this number only four could pay for
admission elsewhere, and forty-ive
others partially pay for treatment,
leaving 1854 absolutely INDECENT, it
shows how unjust and unkind has
been the charge that those who were
rich or influential, or had a pull, were
taken in preference to those who were
poor and friendless.
Il found both hospitals in first class
condition, clean and well kept, the pa
tients given plenty of good wholesome
food, with clothing suitable for their
comforts and requirements. They
seemed as happy and ~cOntented as
could be expected, and had all neces-
Sary wants and supplied. The at
tendants appeared to be kind and at
t~entive, and while, no doubt, there are
cases where cruelty is used by them
towards the patients, yet such conduct
is against the rules, and if found out,
means dismissal for the attendant
committing the wrong. The inmates
are at times hard to manage, and often
themselves use Misunderstanding their
keepers, and what is termed cruelty
on the part Of the attendants is often
done in defending themselves, for at
best they are but human.
During this Investigation, | ascer-
tanned hat there are now in the state
from 600 to 1000 men and women,
who should be cared for in the hospi-
tails, and at the proper time, in no I'M
certain words | will urge the legisla-
! ture to make ample provisions for all
this unfortunate class, for we need not
! expect God to bless u state, II we
| neglect His helpless insane.
The colony plan, out on a farm III
the fresh air, with plenty Of Light
| work, where these Door people may be
| properly treated and brought back, if
| possible, t. their right mind, ought to
be adopted in the future, as saving
costly buildings III producing more
| cures.
when we remember that the dllec-
tors of these hospitals, whose duty
it is to receive or reject patients, and
to manage all affairs, receive no pay
for their services, but only actual eX-
penses, and yet have SO faithfully and
| carefully observed the law, that out of
], 643 patients in these institutions
| during 1905, only four We're not indl-
| gent, as defined by the supreme court,
! and that even these were admitted
years ago, when the hospitals Were
| not full, and taking them was strictly
| lawful, it shows an amount OF care
and investigation that is simply won
! derrul. and entities the directors to
| the commentator, and not the cen
| sure. of every fair-minded citizen, for
| their work has been one Of the high
| est patriotism and state pride.
This investigation has been made
| with only one Object-to ascertain the
| truth to the end that any existing er-
| rors might be remedied. In my WORK
| have bad the cheerful and hearty
cooperation of both Doctors Murphy
and Mckee, the entire board OF dlrec-
tors of each institution, and the mem
bers of the board of internal improve
| ment, and want to thank each tor their
valuable assistance, as well as puOllcly
| thank them for their care and cOnSld-
GRAFTON in the great work placed on
| them in the management OF these
great charitable institutions. which are
| doing SO much to ameliOrate suffering,
! and insure health to our afflicted loved
| ones. If any citizen or newspaper
knows of anyone we have left in the
hospitals. who should be removed to
! make room for someone else who is
INDECENT, please call my attention to
the case, and it shall be Immediately
looked into. and if found correct such
patients shall be removed; but please
| do not allege that persons are 1mprop-
! erly retained through fayoritlsm, and
| others excluded because they are
! friendless. unless you a give the
names, for such action is UNJUST &c
| the directors, hurtful to the hospitals
and unworthy of the person making
| the charge.
"R. B. GLENN,
Governor
4 frame house owned by Ernest
Martin, and occupied by Rev. t. n
Iyey. editor of the Raleigh Christian
Advocate. situated on Halifax street
near the agricultural department, and
across street from the cotton platform
was partially destroyed by fire shortly
after noon. DR.. Ivey's household
| goods were mostly removed, with
| some incidental breakage. The fire Is
supposed to have caught from a u
| Hon !. Y. Joyner, state superlnteI-
! dent of education is paying out the
second 100000 appropriation for the
school fund for the four months term
| The applications aggregated Sl2o,-
! :524.15. The appropriation had to be
scaled in order to come within the
/ limit of 500. 900. which was available,