CRUELTY TO LUNATICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8808, 9 May 1907, Page 4

CRUELTY TO LUNATICS.

A sensational case of habitual miolty.-to lunatics is announced in'a message received in New York from Cleveland, Ohio. Reports of ill treatment of tiro inmates of the State Asylum at Newburg being current, the Olevelnad Press detailed a reporter, Mr Japp, to’investigate the allegations. Mr Japp obtained a post as warder in the asylum, and his articles on what he experienced so excited the people of Ohio that Governor Harris ordered the asylum trustees to investigate the charges. Mr . Japp was called, and gave chapter and verse for all his statements, and his evidence was unshaken by the questions of the attendants lie accused. The inquiry closed, but the report of the trustees will not ho kn >wn for a month. Those who are

ftequaiuted with the facts of the inquiry declare that the result will be that' the superintendent and staff will be convinced of peisistent brutality, and a complete re organisation [will be carried out. The | charges made by Mr Japp cover a j week's observation, and the incidents lie complains of are given with j name, dates, and circumstances, the | whole forming a terrible indictment. Several cases are given of lunat.c being placed in straight jackets, kicked in the stomach, and pounded over the head with broom handles for simple offences, like talking when the chief attendant desired quiet. In some cases unfortunate lunatics were stood on thou - heads for lengthy periods in the dormitory occupied by [patients in* the last stages of life. * The reporter attendant saw a ward attendant heavily smack the faces of two [men who were so weak that they were believed to be dying. A big patient, formerly a publican, was noisy and annoyed the chief attendant, Garret. Four men, including Garret, then jumped on him, pinioned him, and while throe hold him Garret twisted a towel round his throat until lie was almost unconscious. Then the hose was turned on the victim till ho came round, again. _ He was then thrown-into bod and given a sleeping draught of triple strength without any medical consent. The warders began to bo suspicious of the reporter after a week, but ho gained the outside of the asylum and made his revelations through the columns of the press.