Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-09
Tag RAFT TsmAnss JOURNAL.

plicable to educational Improvement, could
not be more proftably applied, than to the en-
couragement of the meeting of at least one
such Institute annually, in each county. An
experiment of this Kind recently made in the
county of Chester, is said to have been emil
nently successful and strongly indicative cf
the wisdom OF the measure.
If in addition to these, or similar measures,
the Legislature should feel warrantedAand the
measure has all the sanction this executive doc
ument can give ito make a large addition to
the annual State appropriation to common
schools, believe that all will be done which
the patriotism of the peoples representatives
can now effect; and do not hesitateto express
the opinion that the time has come for thi S
prompt, full and decisive action. Let the in
tegrity of the system, in lis great purposes
and Objects be maintained; and if changed
changed only to render it more efficient, and
to increase its power for greater usefulness
Whatever else may distinguish your present
session, it is hazzarding little to predict, that
more honor and benefit will result from the
perfection of the common school system of
education, than from any other exercise of
your Legislative powers.
The public schools Of Philadelphia are de-
serving of special notice and approval. In
their various gradations from the primary up
to the high school, they models worthy of
imitation; and their management and efficien-
cy reflect great credit upon those TO whom
have been committed their supervision and
control. 1t is to be regretted that these
schools, credjtable to our great commercial
and literary emporium, and SO honorable to
our Commonwealth, should find no place in
the annual report of the Superintendent Of
common schools. AS at present organized,
these schoossre Independent of the State Su
perintendent, and do not report to the school
department OF the Commonwealth. AS every
thing that relates to the operation Of the COM
! IL. -
public schools in the State, is important and
interesting, the statistics of those schools
should be furnished to the State Supcrintend-
6nt, that the same might be embodied in the
annual report of the department. a modii-
| cation of existing laws on this subject, so far
as to require the controllers of the public
schools of Philadelphia, to report TO the
| school department, the number, grade and
| condition OF their schools-the number of pu-
| pills, and generally such information in rela-
tiOn to their government as may be deemed
useful TO the cause Of education, is respect
| fully recommended.
To improve the social, intellectual, and
| moral condition of the people-recalaim the
errng, and ameliorate the human suffering,
| are objects that commend themselves to the
| consideration of the philanthropist and the
| statesman. Our educational, charitable, and
reformitary institutions are justly the pride of
the State, honorable alike to the wisdom that
devised, and liberalty that founded and sus-
taIns thcm- They have strong claims upon
the bounty Of the people, and L cordially re-
/ commend them to your care and the libcral-
| ty Of the Commonwealth.
The State Lunatic Hospital, at Harrisburg,
| in its objects and results, merits our highest
appreciation. The just expectations of its pro-
.jectors and founders have not been disappoint-
ed. Kindness and love, with their soitening
| and subdung influence, constitute the rule OF
| its government. Many of its former unfortn-
| nate inmates have been restored TO reason, to
friends and home, and the enjoyments Of So
cial life Those that remain require our sym
pathy and aid. They should not be withheld.
! The report of the directors will exhibit, in de-
| TAIL the operations Of the institution.
The necessity aud Importance of providing
additional accommodation for the insane of
| Western Pennsylvania, have been strongly
pressed uron my attention The present ac-
commodations are clearly Insufficient, and
! these have been provided principally by the
contributions of benevolent citizens. 1t is
urged that the rapid advance of our population
! the gloomy increase of the insane-and the
| inadequacy of the present asylums Tor their
| care and management, render ii lmpcratiyeiy
necessary that effective aid should be given to
| that portion Of the State, for new and entire
| ly distinct Western Insane Hospital, as home
to those of cur fellow-citizens whose only allie
Walton is to be found in their own Ignorance
| of the frightiul maladay with which they are
| burdened. The subject is worthy of calm and
| dispaSsionate inquiry. | viii cheerfuly CO.
operate with the Legislature, in all proper
! efforts, to accomplish this object.
| Should you decline to act upon this subject,
l would then recommend that an adequate ap-
| preparation be made to the Western Pennsyl-
vania Hospital for the purpose of extending
its accommodations for the care of the insane,
as distinct may be practicable from the 9TH
| er class Of patients and inmates. The charter
| Of &c in, Sin
and comprehensive in the objects liable to be
brought under its care; embracing the insane,
as well as the sick, helpless and infirm.
! In this connection would commend to your
attention the Pennsylvania Training School
for Idiotic and Feeble Minded Children. The
| aid of the Commonwealth has heretofore been
| extended to this institution. 1t is a noble
charity, and appeals to the best feelings of
| the heart. 1t deserves to share the bounty of
| the State.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and
the Western House of Refuge near Pittsburg,
are institutions of great excellence, having for
their object the reclaiming of wayward and
| orring youth-the employment of the idle
! the instruction of the ignorant-the reforma-
| tion of the vicions and depraved, and the re-
! lief of the wretched. They are schools, not
| prisons-homes, not places of punishment;
they are refuge to the neglected and outcast
children and youth of our Commonwealth
The success Of the past is a sure guarantee of
their future usefulness. They should receive
your aid and encouragement.
The ssBind," and the sEDeaf and Dumb Asy-
lums,'' in Philadelphia, invite our sympathy,
and ask to share the benefactions of the Com
monwealth. The blind, in their darlness-the
dumb, in their silence-wll cherish the gift,
and bless the generous donor.
Legislation, in relation to all questions of
moral and social reform, should be carefully
and wisely considered AMI matured. On no
Will fha
the Legislature, are the people sensitive
and no one more deeply interests every class