Annual report of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum : made to the Legislature, January 31, 1845 / New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica.

  • New York (State). State Lunatic Asylum
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum : made to the Legislature, January 31, 1845 / New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/54 page 10
    By llie act, providing for the organization of the Asylum, it is en^ acted that “ all purchases for the use of the Asylum shall be for cash, and not on credit, or time.” 9 This provision of the law we have endeavored to have strictly ad¬ hered to. It is, practically, an economical provision, as it enables the .steward, at all times, to purchase supplies at the lowest cash market price, and saves much time and perplexity in the settlement and ad¬ justment of bills. The regulations adopted, prescribing the mode of making purchases and disbursements for the use of the Asylum, have thus far insured fidelity, economy and strict accountability. One of the general regu¬ lations, for the government of the Asylum, prescribes that “ no officer shall be directly or indirectly interested in a contract for the supply of any article for the use of the Asylum, nor shall he receive any present or gratuity from any person dealing with the Asylum, or from any pa¬ tient or visitor, or from the friends of a patient.” All purchases are to be for cash, and duplicate bills, containing the items of the account, are made, on one of which the steward endorses an order on the treasurer to pay the bill, and on the other takes a re¬ ceipt for the order so given on the treasurer. No payment is to be made by the treasurer, except on the order of the steward, endorsed on the bill, containing the items of the account, for the payment of which the order is drawn, nor unless the bill is endorsed “ approved” by the superintendent. For the purpose of enabling the steward to make purchases of small articles, as convenience may require, the treasurer is authorised to advance to him a sum, not exceeding at any time $200. The items, for petty expenses, are entered in a pass book, kept by the steward, and vouchers taken for all sums exceeding one dollar. This account is to be settled monthly or oftener, (and before any more money can be advanced) with the treasurer, having been first examined and ap¬ proved by the superintendent. By this system all expenditures are necessarily subjected to the su¬ pervision of the superintendent, who can direct and control them as he may deem expedient. The bills, for board of patients, are made out by the steward, and handed to the treasurer for collection. All
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3