MAJORITY REPORT. Mr. President: The Joint Special Committee from the Hospital Committee of the Senate and Assembly, to whom was assigned the duty of visiting and examining the condition of the State Insane Asylum, located at Stockton, respectfully beg leave to submit the following Report: In accordance with the requirements of the joint resolution of both branches of the Legislature, your Committee visited the city of Stockton, and imme diately proceeded to the discharge of the duties assigned them. We found the Asylum buildings, outbuildings and grounds, in good condition, every department being well attended to and in perfect order. The buildings, which present a fine exterior, are within neat, clean, and well ventilated; the grounds and walks conveniently arranged, and all having the appearance of being regularly cared for and conducive to some amelioration in the condition of the unfortunate inmates of the Asylum, who are the objects of the State's charity. In visiting the respective wards we found one hundred and eighty patients, afflicted with all the different phases of insanity, but in as comfortable a condition as good care and attention would render them, and their nnfortunate malady would allow. The medical department appeared to be well conducted, and the patients to be treated in a satisfactory manner. Your Committee observed that the manner of heating the building was very defective; being not only very inconvenient and much more expensive than the modes in use in the older States in public buildings of this kind, but is also a source of danger to the building and the lives of the inmates. We would therefore recommend that an appropriation be made for the purpose of procuring a suitable apparatus for heating the Asylum buildings, which will produce an even temperature throughout, and remedy the defects above alluded to; and that the Trustees be authorized to purchase the same. In visiting the grounds of the institution, we were pleased to find that a small portion thereof had been placed under cultivation; and your Committee are of the opinion that a certain class of patients might be employed in such a manner, working lightly for a few hours at a time, so as to prove highly beneficial to themselves. In regard to the financial affairs of the institution, we beg leave to refer you to that portion of the Report of the Resident Physician, Dr. Langdon, touching upon that subject, and also to the suggestions of that officer in regard to the necessary appropriations for the present year. Your Committee, in accordance with the requirements of the Joint Resolution, also made an examination of the affairs of the Asylum whilst under the management of the late Resident Physician, Dr. Reid, and are of the opinion that the medical and financial affairs of the institution, whilst under his superintendence, were conducted in such a manner as to reflect great credit upon that gentleman. After having made our examination of the Asylum buildings and grounds, and of the condition of the patients of the different wards, and of the various departments of the institution, your Committee received a special communication from the present Board of Trustees of the Asylum, calling our attention to that portion of the Governor's last Annual Message transmitted to the present Legislature, in which it was stated that grave charges had been made against the late Resident Physician, Dr. R. K. Reid. This communication also set forth that those charges had been specified and preferred against Dr. Reid, by Dr. Langdon, the present Resident Physician, and laid before the Board of Trustees, who requested us to proceed to an investigation of the same. Your Committee, therefore, in accordance with this request, and deeming it their duty so to do, entered into an examination of the charges so preferred, and devoted several days to a thorough and minute investigation of the same, during which time a large number of witnesses were examined; but after a thorough and minute investigation of all the charges preferred, your Committee are of the opinion that the evidence adduced was insufficient to sustain the charges herein referred to. All of which is respectfully submitted. A. R. MELONY, Chairman Senate Com. S. F. HAMM, Chairman Assembly Com. S. M. MILES, PHIL. MOORE. MINORITY REPORT. "Resolved by the Senate, (the Assembly concurring,) That a committee of five be appointed to visit the Insane Asylum at Stockton, for the purpose of investigating the medical and financial condition and management of that Asylum, under the present Resident Physician-Dr. Langdon, and his predecessor, Dr. Ried; said committee to be composed of members from the Hospital Committees of the two Houses-three from the Senate and two from the Assembly-to be selected by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly; and that said Committee, in their investigation, have power to send for persons and papers." Mr. President: The undersigned, a member of the Committee appointed in accordance with the above resolution, regrets that the majority of the Committee have seen fit to present a report to which he cannot subscribe, and respectfully begs to offer a minority report. In compliance with the desire of the Legislature, the Committee repaired to Stockton, and began their investigations on the 21st of January. Several days. were devoted to an examination into the affairs of the Asylum, from which, to the mind of the undersigned, the following facts were evolved: The institution, under the present Resident Physician, Dr. Langdon, and the acting Board of Trustees, is creditably managed, medically and financially. The halls, rooms and bedding are kept scrupulously clean and neat; and, from the best information obtained, the food of the inmates is served np in a respectable and wholesome manner. Perhaps there is not a sufficiency of the proper kinds of aliment allowed the inmates, but it is more owing to the appropriation of the State, than the fault of the dispensers of the State's charity. The sum allowed the Asylum per annum is not sufficient to furnish the class of edibles which a physician, jealous of his fame, requires to feed his patients. But as far as medical skill and attention to an unfortunate class can go, circumscribed by pecuniary means, the undersigned is convinced that no effort is spared by the Superintendent, his attentive and experienced assistant, and the accomplished matron, to restore reason to its wonted channels, or failing in which, to administer to a |