State Politics - 1937

The following excerpt was published in the Lexington Leader in 1937.

Editor, Lexington Leader:
Gov. Chandler gets his dates mixed when he says that “In 1799 Kentucky’s prisons and asylums were the best in the country, and in 1936 when his administration began to function they were the worst.” Kentucky did not have a state institution for the insane until they took over the one already established in Lexington. Prior to May 1, 1824, the insane were meagerly cared for in the counties. The private hospital organized in Lexington by some of her benevolent citizens gave the idea to the state, and afforded the opportunity for caring for the insane in a more effective way. This was a great movement on the part of 55 contributors to the Fayette hospital, and called for sacrifice. Times were hard and money scarce. They have gathered no tax from the hands of little children, nor did they have a waiting federal government to help them with so worthy a cause. Yet their inspiration, “Let us rear an edifice on the noblest feelings of the human heart," gave them courage for the task.
“Fayette hospital.” a private institution, organized In Lexington in 1816, was the first of its kind in the western country. A charter was obtained under the corporate name of “The Contributors to the Fayette Hospital.” Andrew McCalla, a prominent pioneer settler, was made chairman of the building committee. The work is scarcely begun when they find that “various casualties have all tended to reduce the value of their subscription paper.”
In a letter to Mr. Bradford they appeal for aid through the medium of his paper, giving their many reasons for purchasing such an expensive site: “It was within the limits prescribed by law—it commanded a view of several roads—it presented a handsome and healthy site—and above all, it furnished water sufficient . . .,” and they were governed by its advantages. They find that such buildings in their sister states cost not less than $50,000, and owing to lack of funds they can only build a portion at a time. They ask every citizen to contribute cheerfully in money, or in such articles as can be received by the workmen. Special mention is made of the “Fayette Farmer" for the interest he has manifested in the institution. June 30. 1817, we have the “laying of the corner-stone of the Fayette hospital now building on the elegant site at Sinking Spring, in the presence of the contributors, their building committee and a large concourse of other spectators, convened to witness the ceremony.”
A financial crisis defeated the plans of the building committee, and in 1822 it was found best to tender the property to the state.
The bill to establish a Lunatic hospital at Lexington, appropriating $10,000 to procure ground and prepare suitable buildings with an allowance of $500 to a steward became a law. The eloquent plea of Edward Rumsey, a young member from Muhlenburgh, combated the prejudice against allowing medical aid. and It passed the house by a close vote, 44 to 43. It passed the senate with much opposition. The state then took over the property of the Fayette hospital, and gave it the name of Kentucky Eastern Lunatic Asylum.
1824-1844. The Kentucky Eastern Lunatic Asylum formally opened May 1. 1824, instead of '1799' as our governor has informed us on two occasions. For the first 20 years it was assisted by the medical faculty of Transylvania University, and managed upon the idea that patients were dangerous and should be confined, notwithstanding that very confinement intensified and made incurable the insanity. This may have been pardonable in 1824, but it is not in 1937.
1844-1855. Under Dr. John R. Allen, a new era in management began. Chains, cells and iron bars disappeared and gentleness, kindness and sympathy in their stead, followed by rapid improvement.
1855-1870. Dr. William 55. Chipley, who became pre-eminent as a psychologist and in scientific treatment of the insane, succeeded Dr. Allen. During his administration it grew to bo one of the most extensive in the United States and one of the best managed and most successful in the world. This shows the necessity for ha-ing a trained psychiatrist at the head of an institution instead of one chosen as a reward for his political accomplishments or influence.
1870-1936. Since the time of Dr. Chipley. with overcrowded, out-moded. unsanitary buildings, an ever-increasing number of patients, herding with no thought of cure, and a political system of management, it has been on the down grade. Going back 40 years all has been said that can be condemning.
1936. Conditions were bad enough, we agree, before the present administration was introduced to us by the grand jury. Already steeped in politics. and then to have our institution dismantled, disordered, changed over night, the personnel from the office to the kitchen, and to place over the 2,000 sick an untrained I management—we say. at this time it was worse than ever before in its history. This shows the unspeakable tragedy of politics.
The lives of the patients have more than once been endangered by fire, and on one occasion a large portion of the building was consumed and some of the inmates perished
Our governor is a little premature with his real estate deal, and somewhat slow to just now be calling in medical aid to help his program. Had he done this a year ago and forgotten politics, we should now be well on our way with a new hospital.
Fayette Hospital (now Eastern State) was first thought of planned and organized and erected through the citizens of Fayette. Before it is taken away from them, the people of Kentucky may have something to say about it its location should be of much concern to those of eastern Kentucky.
—MOTHERS CLUB,
EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL Lexington. Ky.
July 3. 1937.