The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-07-06
IMPROVEMENTSAT ASYLUM
HOW MANNING'S WORK HAS
HELPED AFFLICTED.
Apualling Conditions at Institution
Replaced by Modern, Scientlhc
Methods Through Governor.

Methods Through Governor
If any be in doubt about the i'm
mense improvements in the condl-
tions at the State hospital they
should visit and see for themselves.
The people who have kindred or
friends in the institution know.
Ask them.
The following is a brief statement
of the case from one of Governor
Manning's addresses:
Lawlessness and factionalism ana
ienoble politics go always hand in
hand. A cruel proof of this stared
me- in the face when 1 assumed the
office of governor. An institution,
designed in Christian charity to care
for the most helpless, the most hope
less, the most pitiable of our people,
had been made year in and year out,
the football of politics.
I refer to the State Hospital fo1
the Insane.
This perversion of a mighty mercy
had reacted on every one of the H.
800 patients.
These patients come from every
county in the State and there are
few of US who have not friends or
ncfsf mi
The physical condition of the asy-
INN was appalling.
The mems wards were filthy and
unhealthful; extravaganza, waste and
neglect revealed absolutely the fall
ure, to give inmates the treatment
due to patients. Their care and
treatment were worse than those
given to prisoners and convicts.
The women's ward was the institu-
tons best, but that ward bore silent
witness Of needless misery heaped
upon hopeless tragedy. In rows
around the walls hung straps for the
violent insane and in this ward alone
were 90 hopeless women patients. At
night they were confined in their
cells in a building without a work
ing hydrant or fire hose and with
j only two nurses to care for them or
rescue them in case of fire. What
. would have been the horror and dis
aster had fire broken out I need not
I and cannot describe.
One visit to the asylum convinced
the legislature that something must
be done at once. It was done gener-
ously and Handsomely. according to
the Information then available as to
its needs. But when I came to ap-
ply the reforms authorized by the
legislature I found one serious de-
feet. was fortunate in securing a
board of regents Of the highest pa
friotism and humanity, but the su-
perintendency of the asylum is like
wise work of patriotism, skill and
humanity. It requires man skilled
In medicine and yet skilled too in
business administration. Such man
/ could not find for the cash salary
OF $4,000 per year, but it was in
creditable that so great work
should stop for so little a cause, that
30 many scuffer because of an obsta-
Gle that could not be removed. My
decision was prompt. I could make
up the difference in salary for the
first year; and that did on my own
personal note, which I hold in my
hand, paid in full by my personal
check. feel that I was justified in
making this contribution. No act
OF my political life has given me so
great qualification. I have never
asked reimbursement, have never
been repaid one cent and will never
accept one cent of this amount from
any source.
The results speak for themselves.
The legislature, on seeing them, by
an overwhelming vote sustained my
judgment and fixed the superintend-
ent's future salary permanently at
$6,0O0,000 per year, the figure had
been happy to make possible tenn
porarily.
Now the straps in that horrible
ward for women are gone. Most Of
the patients instead Of sitting idly
through endless days are happily en-
ployed in such light tasks as they are
fitted to perform. This employment
is not compulsory, but is strictly vol
UNFAIRLY on the part of the patients
themselves. -.
In the first place it is incorrect to
state that the superintendent's sal
ary was increased from $4,000 to
$4,000. For this increase the SUI
perintendent gave up his claim to the
use of house with lights, water,
f,,o1 sorvonfs vooafah1es sunn1ied nv