The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-19
MESSAGE. ON State HOSPITAL, !
GOVERNOR DELIVERS MESSAGE
VERBALLY no JOINT AS
SEMBLY.
Tells OF Needs OF Institution q Year
Ago and What Has Been Done
to Remedy Defects During Year
Asks Retention OF Present Superin.
tendent and Appropriation for
Maintenance. I..t


cnt conditions at the State Hospital
for the Insane We're reviewed yes
terday by Gov. Manning before the
joint assembly, on special invitation
from the members. The chief execu-
tive's clear and lucid exposition Of
the problems met and conquered and
those yet to be dealt with effectively
showed how near to the heart of Gov.
Manning is the institution.
The governor told Of conditions ex-
listing before the advent Of Supcrin-
tendent Williams and emphasized the
that has taken place un-
der the present regime. More pa
tients have been added, yet by effl-
cient administrative measures the ex-
penses have been considerably cut.
The inauguration of occupational
training has been a decided success, as
was attested by the many striking ex-
amples that he gave.
When Gov. Manning made his ap-
pearance at the speakers desk he
was greeted by hearty applause from
the representatives and senators. A
number of persons were in the gal
lery and on the floor Of the house.
The governor prefaced his message,
which was spoken. by saying that he
was not critical Of any one, but he
would deal with actual conditions. He
said that when he became governor
the conditions at the State hospital
were intolerable; in. fact the patients
merely were in the custody Of the au-
thorities. ~
There is a decided Improvement in
conditions at present. he claimed.
During their visit to the asylum last
year the legislators saw cold and un-
palatable food; this year there was
good food in abundance: last year the
fire facilities were imperative, be-
cause Of misfitting hose, this year the
flre-fighting apparatus is in good con-
dition. The care Of women patients
shows marked advancement, and the
restraint treatment is no longer
used. and the effects Of the discon-
tinuance shows benefits accrued.
3 Gov. Manning urgently stressed the
fiecessity e'f continuance OF the good
work. which was inaugurated Will,
the change In the management. This
change was necessary. he said. The
chief executive then took up the in
crease in the salary Of the superin-
tendent. He said that the salary OF the
official Is fixed in the appropriation
bill; there is nc act specifying the
yearly stipend for the head of the asy-
lum. He then reviewed how he had
worked to secure an efficient adminiss
traitor for the State Hospital for the
Insane. one Of executive ability and
humane tendencies. How it was i'm
possible to find such a man for tho
$4,000 and the perquisites. which
amount to approximately $1,000 an
nuaily. When he thought of the L.
500 inmates at the institution, said the
chief executive. he knew the highest
type Of physician and scientist was
necessary to carry on the work. There
was no provision for increasing tho
superintendent's salary, and the ques-
ton was whether he should make the
personal sacrifice in securing the man
that could fill the position.
After he had made up his mind.
stated the govern Or, he found that he
could borrow $2.s75 at 3 per cent. to
insure the employment of the man he
had in mind. Tho arrangement was
made for one year. said Gov. Man.
ming. and it was now up to the legis-
ature to provide for the increase in
salary. The salary of the year past
he governor made az a contribution.
willingly and gladly, but he cannot
larry the burden further. The ar
'angement has proven satisfactory, he
averred. and 1t Is now up to the gen.
sral assembly as to whether the effi-
'ient superintendent shall be retain
vi.
While there has been an increase a,
he State Hospital, yet there has been
saving in expenses compared with
ast year Of over $4,000. Also there
has been retained 22 more trained
,urses and the services Of 10 addition
" physicians have been secured. He
explained how u large part of this saw
ng has been accomplished. BY a re-
distribution Of labor, the employment
II patients in tasks to which they
we're adapted and were willing to
pursue, large part Of this expense