Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-10-23

us well as by the sympathes OF our common ma
ture.
Such a course Of treatment would doubtless
have a very happy influence upon 'vagranis aud
idle and disordery persons for whose restraint
and discipline our laws make provision, save
that of the town poor houses which, by the 2lst
section Of chapter II Of the Revised Statutes,
constituted houses Of correction, but which, while
they involve the evil of an unnatural mingling of
tho aged and nhrm poor wththe FESTIVE and troub-
lesome, can seldom be made 10 accomplish, to any
considerable extent, the purposes of correction and
reform.
The bearing upon our whole system Of criminal
justice, Of such process Of discipline as may be
carried into effect in county houses Of correction
especially in cases Of juvenile ofenders-is obvi-
Gus. Its salutary effects would, in due time, be
visible in diminished drafts upon the State Treasu-
ry for the expenses Of criminal proceedings; in a
diminished number Of convicis in the State Prison,
and in increasing peace. order and obedience to
law, throughout the community.
| have received the ninth annual report Of the
Trustees and Superintendent Of the Vermont Asy-
lum for the Insane which presents very crafty
ing exhibition of the condition aud prospects Of
that institution under its present excellent and ef
6cient government.
During the past year 29i have been admitted
into the asylum. 90 have been discharged, and 263
remain. Three hundred and six,y-three have en-
year. OF the 20 discharged, So have recovered
OF the 4S recent cases discharged, there have
been 43 rccoyeries. In the 81 chronic cases dis
charged. the recoveries have been but TO- The
great importance of obtaining the benefit of the
asylum in the early stages Of insanity is thus rem
dered apparent
The annual State appropriation tor the benefit Of
the insane poor increased at the last session Of
the General Assembly, to 5000 in consequence
Of which the number of patients at the asylum has
increased during the past year. so as TO render the
erection Of additional buildings necessary. Add
tiona buildings, to contain about 80 rooms, are
partly finished and occupied, and WILL it is expect
ed, be completed by the first Of November next,
when all the buildings will be sufficient for the ac-
commodaion Of about three hundred paenis-a
number deemed by the Trustees TO be as large as
is desirable in asylum
The report states that such an amount Of funds
will be received from other sources, as 10 super
sede the necessity Of application to the Legisa-
lure for assistance to defray the expense Of the adj
ditonal accommodations.
Since the 6rst of January last, I43 patients have
shared IN the State appropriation, of whom 10 have
been discharged; leaving Of these cases, lis now
IN the asylum. The existing State appropriation
has paid little more than three-lhs Of the expense
ofthose who have been in the asylum as State ben
etcaries, during the pest year leaving the remain
der 10 be paid by those who sent them there; and
ii is estimated by the Trustees that the appropriation
will be adequate to deffay, during the next year,
but one-ihrd OF the expense Of the present number
OF benehciaries They suggest the desrableness
Of an increased appropriation, as to defray
ly one-half Of the expense o.! that number. | con-
cur in this suggestion An increased appropria-
ton would probably have the effect OF inducing
towns to place, and keep at the asylum insane
poor persons who might otherwise be deprived Of
its benefits. There is class Of cases in which en-
Z L..
beyond the limit of the present State appropriation
when restriction TO that limit might render the
appropriation, as TO them. of little value 1t is
very desirable that the insane poor should not,
through insufficient indncement TO towns coniin-
ue them at the asylum, be returned, uncured, to the
miserable condition. which, through the humanity
of our legislation, they may have been permitted TO
exchange for the substantial comforts, and the i'm
proving influence Of that institution.
The establishment Of the asylum with its excel
lent system Of treatment while il has had the ef-
feet of disclosing the terrible secrets of insanity,
has gladdened the hearts of the benevolent with a
reasonable hope Of giving eiiectual relief 10 large
portion of the insane aud Of mnstering greatly, TO
the comfort Of those who have, by long neglect,
become incnrable. No object, proper for legisa-
tive aid, makes stronger appeal to our liberality
than this
Upon entering on the duties of Commissioner Of
the Deaf and Dumb, directed inquiries to the STU
perintendent Of the American Asylum at Hartford,
Connecticut for the purpose OF obtaining nforma-
ton, in sundry particulars, in regard TO the past
connection Of that institution with the education OF
deaf and dumb persons, at the expense OF this State,
aud received, in reply, statement specifying, agree
ably to my request the and residences OF per-
sons, supported. in whole, in part, by this Stale
the times of their admission and discharge, the peri
cd OF their instruction AT the public expense and the
amount paid for each, by the State. transmit the
statement herewith, to the House of Representa-
tves, for the use of the General Assembly. Ii ap-
pears that from the year 1917 but principally since
the year 1925, ll3 have been educated, in whole
or in part by this State, at an expense, up to the
first of May last, of the sum of S3S, Is 25
! have made orders for the admission into the
Asylum offs. The whole number now in the Asy.
lam, at the public charge, is 30. OF the appropri-
alton for this object, there has been expended, dur
ing the past year, the sum Of ~ 900 o.
The Asylum is under very competent, and in
lelligent Superintendency. and is, evidently, de-
serving the continued patronage of the State.
In execution of my duty as Commissioner of the
Blind, have made orders for the admission Of two
blind persons into the New England Institution fol
the blind, in Boston. The expenditure for the sup
port of the blind, during the past year has beer
81 100
! In execution of the law of the last session pro
vidng for Geological Survey of the State, ap
pointed Professor Charles b. Adams, of Middebu
! ny, Principal Geologist. MIR Adams entered OF
the duties of the appointment in March last sinct
which time he has been laboriously engaged, will
the aid of well qualified assistants in prosecuting
Geological and Neurological survey OF the State
The law having made il the duty Of the Geologis
}, TO report annually TO the Governor, the progress