Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08
Ohio Penitentiary and Benevolent Insd-
tuti1ns

While at Columbus last week, we made our
first visit to the Penitentary, and to the Deaf
and Dumb, Lunatic, Idiotie and Blind Asylums.
In viewing this variety of unfortunate classes,
all manner of human wretchedress meet the eye
and pain the senses. 1t is not pleasant sight
by any means, bu. one at sbich Tie sympathetic
cannot fail to be deeply impressed.
The convicted criminals now in the Peniten-
tiary number some six hundred. We shall not
enumerate their several offences, for to do so
would almost freeze the blood that regularly
courses in the veins of civilized man, and cause
the hair to stand erect upon the head. The at
teution given by the warden and his assistants
was all tina. could be asked. As we passed
through the different apartments, we found as
many different mechanical pursuits going on.
In this motley assemblage of felons, the physiog
naniist would find a wide field for observation,
and though all wear the stripes, and indiserimi-
nately, to the stranger, bear the stigma, his
conclusions, We think, would be very much di-
versified.
After leaving the Penitentiary, our next stop
was at the Institution for the education of the
Deaf and Dumb. And we would here acknow-
ledge our obligation to the accomplished visitors
attendant, Miss Laura C. Freeman. The inmates
of this asylum number hundred and fifty
seven, eighty-fiv of whom males and
seventy five females. This class, though de-
prived of the power of speech, as well as that Of
hearing, which s truly great affliction, are
withal, cheerful and apparently perfectly happy.
Thev seem to be delighted with their studies.
and to learn rapidly We glanced over several
compositions, which done credit to their authors.
The building for their accommodation is very in
ferior. A more commodious AMI substantial
structure should be erected. No taxpayer
would object to judicious expenditure for so
1audable purpose.
The Lunatie Asylum is large, fine building
1t contains as is shown by the last report, two
hundred and fifty-nine persons-males, one hun
dred and nineteen, and females one hundred and
forty The condition of the monomaniac is not
only depIorable, but most horrible to look upon
or contemplate. How solemn must be the retec-
tion upon behslding him whom We have seen in
the majesty of his manhood, physically and
mentally, bereft Of all reason, and hopelessly
insane.
we next passed through the Diihu Asylum
Ills institution contains about seventy-fve or
eighty pupils some of whom suffer much, while
the greater number seem 10 enjoy life and ad-
vance in their s,udies-read well and answer
questions promptly. -. -
The Imbecile and Idiotic Asy!um is yet in its
infs''oy, trTrI tJc1n esta6.'sneti undes ne SCI
of April II, 1851. The Superintendent, r. y.
Patterson, NJ. D.; the Malron. Miss Emily c.
Whitman; and the teacher, Miss Julia B. Bur-
bank, having been employed in similar iHsti
tuition previous tn their engagement in this, and
from what We witnessed OF their kind attention
to those under their charge, we feel warranted in
saying that every Thing that can be done to make
comfortable and improve the condition OF the
helpless inmates of this institution will receive
prompt attentiOn.-Ohio Eagle.