The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-25
HOSPITAL NEEDS s600,0OO.
SENATOR CHRISTENSEN SPEAKS
OF COMMITTEES REPORT.
Six Hundred Thousand Dollars Mini
mum Amount Required to REM
edy IntOlcrable Conditions I'm In
StftutiOn.

Charleston, Dec. Ex-senator Niels
Christensen of Beaufort, was in
Charleston today, and as chairman
of the joint legislative committee ap-
pointed to investigate the State Hos
pital for the Insane at Columbia, he
said that the investigation has been
concludeded and the committee Is
now formulating its report for SUBJ
mission to the general assembly.
"The testimony taken before the
committee" said Senator Christen-
sen, 'is being printed and will be
available in few days. Any men,
Der of the legislature and any news
paper interested may have a copy by
sending a request to a member OF the
committee. The most important
matter to be considered at the COM
ing session of the legislature is the
report Of the committee that has
investigated the State Hospital for
the Insane. Unfortunately, the re-
port will not be ready for two or
three weeks. 1t will contain several
special reports by experts which are
not yet prepared. These together
with facts gathered by the commit
tee from personal examination of
physical cond ions and records here
and elsewhere are perhaps more i'm
portant than the testimony of wit
nesses referred to. But il would he
advisable for Legislators and the peo-
pie generally to acquaint themselves
with their testimony which throws a
mood OF light on the deplorable con-
ditions that are general throughout
our State Hospital for the Insane.
1t is going to take several hum
dred thousand dollars to put this in
stitution in reasonably good condi-
ton. Estimates have not been made
yet, but the total necessary is not
likely to be under $s00,0 900. That is
minimum. There can be no duobt
that If the facts become known this
or larger sum, if it be found neces-
sary, Will be voted. But there Is.
Sdaness~.that. theNxfsc willelnnt he
come thoroughly understood i'm time
Tor the people to make their wishes
felt at this session. Up to this time
the facts have been minimized by
certain news agencies and in only a
few instances have the newspapers
given anything like full and accu-
rate account of the testimony. So.
want to suggest to the press gem
orally that they get the testimony
and read it for themselves.
While it would be very unfortu-
mare to allow such an investigation
as this to become an attack on in
diViduals, there will also be a lanaen-
table outcome if desire to shield in
dividuals. should result in covering
up conditions. We are here dealing
with matters Of life and death. There
is no question that the death rate at
this institution is abnormally high
and the recovery, rate abnormallv
low. owing to shocking unsanitary
conditions, poor equipment, a lack OF
proper treatment and lax methods
throughout all branches of the insti-
tuition that are deplorable. 1t is pain
ful to make these general criticisms.
Tor there are many faithful workers
at this hospital struggling with con-
ditions that only their superors can
remedy and they are as anxious as
any to see them remedied. The re-
port will make these details clear
Meanwhile every family in this
state that is peculiarly interested I'm
the hospital should demand that all
tne racts be known and proper
means taken to remedy the evils.
None OF us can afford to ignore the
needs of these unfortunates, whose
CONDITION is now a disgrace to our
state. We have the opportunity to
step into the first rank in our care
or the insane. and the people are
sure to take it if they are given the
facts"