The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-09

IDIors rS MISUNDERSTANDING commissions.
ers appointed by the governor under n legislative
resolve OF 1916 have performed their duty part "ofn
quring into the condition Of the idiots of the common
wealth. Of ascertanng their number and whether nny
thing can be done for their relief" The resolve compelled
the commissioners report 10 the Legislature
as the Investigations not completed the governor re-
commends the. provision be made for continuing tho
powers OF shc commission until the session OF tho
general court. Returns have been received from III
towns having population Of 3a52s5. In them said
to be 5s3 idiots, 294 Of whom males and aSs are
fcmalcsld9 less than years of are and are OF
course proper subjects for instruction OF the whole
100 supported entirely at the public charge IL IN,
other towns should present the proportion u would
appear that there upwards Of 1000 idiots In
monwealth OF whom 300 OF proper for instruction
The commissioners stryen to obtain informa
respecting the treatment Of idiots In foreign countries
and particularly respecting the schools which hare been
recently and successfully established in France Prussr,
ana Switzerland They have already obtained sufccns
evidence prove, in their opinion that other countries
the ignorant and degraded of men, which II be-
hoves commonwealth speedily to initiate. Tho
30 towns Ia The state and nnd that the condition OF
these unortunates Is very materially influenced by the
! character Of those who have them in charge
In some towns found the idiots, who were under
the charge Of kind hearted but ignorant persons DO
entirely idle given over To disgusting and degrading
habits and presenting the sad and spec
tncle OF men made In GODS own image whom neither
their the of others lifted up above
the level OF the brutcs
"in other towns idiots who had no moro
capacity than those just mentioned were under the
charge Of more intelligent persons and they presented
dustrinus.
We found some OF very low grade Of intellect, at
work In the fields under the direction Of attendants
and they seemed not only to be free from depraying
habits, but to be happy and useful
Thc inference be drawn from this Is very important
II persons having only common sense md common hu-
many. but without the advantage of experience or
study can improve the condition Of idiots how much
could be done 10y those who should bring tho lcht OF
science and the experience Of wisc and good men In,
other countries and the facilities of An institution,
adapted 20 the training Of idiots-how much we saw
could be done by such persons towards rcdecninp the
minds Of this unfortunate clasa cm the waste and de-
ISOLATION in which they nov 10
Accompanying .Ac report Is very interesting letter
from Mr. George Sumner, In Paris. describing mi
nutely French hsylum school for idiots and Incl
denaily giving general information respecting their
treatment in other countries Of Europe. MIR sumner
thus begins his letter
My dear Dr. HoweIu the report that the committee
fr the examination Of the condition Of idiots In Mass
chusctts OF which you chairman, will make to the
general court do not doubt that you will insist upon
the necessity Of adopting in the State Of Massachusetts
such measures experience has shown may be
fully employed to the physical comfort and moral
culture Of this unfortunate class Of fellow beings
We copy the passage and print one Of its words In
italics to show the Of the wrer-thc matter of
the cpisc Is excellent The whole expense Of the COM
mission thus far Is stated 10 be less than forty dollars
think the commissioners should DO empowered 10
| continue their duties.-Bosion Post.