Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-11
J5r 4lallp SP2,
MONDAY. JANUARY II. 1873.
Public Docurasuss.

ehall pfocufs tli6lt hNoiA1otiVAr ~ 49, ~-'NJ
be distributed to members at the commencement
of the session This brings the subjects, at once,
efore that body, without the delay heretofore re-
CURED for printing the reports. Suck of these as
smbody matter Of general interest, we shall make
abstracts Of, for the benefit Of our readers, and
commence, this morning with the following;
STATE LuNAr1c aospITAL AT TAUNTON
The fourth annual report OF the trustees OF this
institution, makes No. 10 Of the annual public
documents. published this yeas. The trustees
say;
"The site Of the hospital though hsslihhil aud
al .n-ding in many nAtuial advantages, IS slngu-
lariY untitled for farming. The land IS generally
pour. and much time, patience, and laoor' VIII De
required TO convert ateriltF into iruitininess.
Every care has been taken 10 enrich the soil that
abundance may gradually be wruug from the re-
luctant earth. and an economy be consulted IN
compelling barren fields TO contribute to the sup
port OF the institution.
When the Institution was in the process OF be-
ing erected. it became our duty to visit 1t IN an
official capacity, and we we're struck with the fact
OF the steiility of the grounds which had been
purchased at a uery high cost. The site is an ex-
tended duyial gravel knoll, Of the kind which so
much abound in some portions OF the Old Colo
ny, and is entirely untitled for any kind OF cuI'
ture. In consequence of this sterlliiy of the SOIL
the trustees ask for an appropriation oil uafee
thousand dollars to enable them to buy an ada
cent tract Of land for that almost indispensable
adjunct to such an institution, kitchen garden.
The roof and cupola, which have, from the
first, leaked badly, have, during the past year.
been extensively repaired and put in good order.
The heating and ventilating apparatus, too, were
found 10 be inefficient and worthless, and have
both been taken out and replaced on new plan
during the year. The heating arrangements ap-
pear, now, to be efficient and satisfactory. The
veutilating apparatus had not been sufficiently
tested in cold weather. when ths report was writ
ten, to pronounce, with certainty, on its success
1t is feared however, that it will not be perfectly
satisfactory, till the system of water-closets is
changed. These call for early attention, and will
require considerable expenditure to put them in
a suitable condition. The expense incurred for
construction and repairs during the year has been
$751; A.
The hospital was constructed for $50 patients.
The whole number actually contained in it on the
Both of September was 1927. The number admit
ted since November 30, 1856, is 2O7. The num-
Der discharged, during the same time, was l34.
The number that died was 43, and one eloped,
making, in all, that left IT'S, or % less than the
number admitted. OF those remaining in the
hospital III are males and $50 females. Usually
more females than males are admitted, but the
past year there were 1913 males to 81 females ad-
mitted.
"Compared with the whole number of dschar.
ges the past year, the reeoveries have been sixty
two per cent. The number Of those who have
either recoYed or have been decidedly benefited,
has been seTenty.twO per cent. of the whole num-
Der discharged, which is the same proportion as
existed last year. Thirty eight were discharged
unlmproyed Fifteen OF these we're discharged at
the request Of this Commissioners Of Alien Pas
sengers, and have been sent either to one of the
State slmshOuses or to homes out Of the State"
'During the first two years after the opening of
this hospital, the proportion of foreigners
thirty two per cent. OF the whole number admit
tsd Last year it had increased to forty -one per
cent and this year, the proportion increasing in
the same ratio, they have amounted to fifty per
cent of all admissions"
Forty seven per cent of the whole number ad-
mitted to the hospital, this year, we're from the
county o. Suffolk.
This trustees bear renewed testimony to the
continued worth and valuable services of the on
GERS OF the institution, and make special refer
snes to the care aud fidelity Of DR.. Choate, the
superintendent.
STATE REFORM ScHooL.-The report OF this
Both Of September last has been published, ac-
cording to law, BY this report, it appears that
the largest number Of the school, at any one
time during the last year, was eliza larger num-
Der than had ever been there before, and more
than can be suitably accommodated The whole
number received since the establishment of the
institution is 2l3S, and the number remaining on
the Both Of September was GLIB.
The Trustees say:
:" 1t is confidently believed that the history Of
the institution, for nearly eleven years IN which
II has been in operation will show in its results
that much more than a majority of its inmates
have been reformed, and are becoming good citi-
Eens; willis many others have been greatly i'm
proved, morally and intellectually, and perhaps
saved from greater crimes while none, we feel
sure, are made worse for residence Of from one
TO five years under the ameliorating influence and
atmosphere of the institution. The reformation
may have been, is no longer an experiment; and
the expense Of this institution to the State may
therefore be considered a most judicous and
valuable use of its means, and its powers to do
good
The friends Of the present Superintendent will
be glad to see the following testimony to his
qualifications for the position:
=" The Trustees are very glad to be able to say,
that their confident expectations in regard to the
valuable services Of the new Superintendent, MIR.
Starr, and Of Mrs. Starr, acting as Matron, have
been fully justified and confirmed.
The station OF Superintendent is one of great
care labor, and responsibility; requiring an
amount Of wisdom, sagacity and judgment, su.
perior to most places Of instruction and govern
ment in the Commonwealth. We believe that
the present incumbent exercises those qualities
in high degree"
The schools in the institution are highly spoken
Of. The best of teachers are employed, and there
are scholars in some Of the schools that would
compare favorably with the pupils in the High
Schools Of our larghr towns. 1t is an interesting
fact, that Of the best teachersn these schools
was former ihmate Of the Reform School, and
received there the greater part Of his education.
Complaint is made Of the practice Of some
magistrates in committing boys for a shorter
term than their minorty-a practice of which, the
report says, the tendency is to almost totally
Illustrate the original design Of the founders Of
the institution, which was not for a preventive,
but reformatory school.
The Trustees estimate the amount necessary to
meet ordinary expenses for the current year a.
g44, 900. as follows
Provisions and clothing for COO bows at SG s27 COO Ga
Salaries, wages, and support o. officers 600 on
Fuel, light, and care ni expenses. 5000 o.