The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-01-12

borS OF this kind. L suggest, therefore,
that he be authorized to employ one or
more competent agents to visit every
township and urge upon parents teach
ers and children, the duties essential to
the highest efficiency of our schools Il
This plan has been adopted elsewhere
with the happiest effects. If adopted
here, we need not fear the disclosures of
any future census, or doubt that our sys-
tenn of Common Schools, already regard
ed as model for imitation by other
States, will vlndcate, by perfect success,
its claims to admiration and honor.
While we may reasonably hope that the
illiterate, as class, will soon disappear
from our socie,y, no such pleasing expec-
tation can be indulged in respect to that
large portion of the community whom de-
feet and disease in mental or physical or
ganization render proper objects of pub
lie care; and whose number and relation
to society constitute another element Of
our social condition, which must engage
lyour notice.
The benevolence of the State has al
ready provided three Asylums for the in-
sane, which have cost for grounds and
constructiou about $474,0o0, aud are
sustained at an annual expense OF 500, 600,
exciuding charges properly b elonging to
The account OF construction aud interest.
The cost of the Northern and Central
Asylums has been about $l53 600 each;
that of The Southern about $l6S, 600 =
| e
is now probably mere than double that OF
either OF the others.
La these Asyiuns there were at the be-
ginning OF the last year, 56S inmates, and
there were received during the year l 4,
making the whole number of participants
in their benefits 9S2; there were dischar-
Fl ged 4i2; there Gied 43. and there remain
| ed AT the commencement of the current
5 year, $40 Oh those discharged 240 had
been restored to sanity, and So decided
ly improved. The average expense OF
each inmate was about $l5S.
The Central Asylum will accommodate
$50 inmates, the Northern $50, and
| Southern l60. Each has been filed to
6 the extent of its capacity. Another Asy:
r lum is in progress of construction in Ham.
E ilton County, for the reception Of the In.
sane of that County only. Afer its com.
4 pletion and opening, that c unity vii
t constitute the South h-westsra Asylum
District
: The number of Insane in O'o accor.
e ding to the census of 1850 wa, 1903
: This number was doubtless undcrstated.- =
: lam satisfied that the present number il
IS not less than two thousand. The Super
i intendent of the Central Asylum thinks i
Y does not fall short of three thousand
e The arguments which establish the dut,
lr of some provision for some of the Insane
j. require doubtless adequate provision
n for all. Several plans for such provision
If have been suggested. One contemplate
le the enlargement of one or more of the ex
3. isting Asylums; another proposes to pro
l. vide for the support and treatment of tn
N Insane in the County Infirmares; while
third, not necessarily excluding the Others
Is suggests the enactment of law for tn
III establishment and regulation of privat
r Asylums, in which large portion of tn
Insane would be provided for by the
of friends without charge to the State.
ID have no hesitation in recommending th
al legislation III recommending the legisla
b. tion contemplated by this latter sugge!
st ton. The information necessary to we
e. grounded choice between the other plaI
r. is not yet accessible. My impression
ps that the first will prove most economics
be and most bene6cent; if indeed, after til
ee completion OF the South western Asylu
is and the enactment of a judicious law fc
ce Private Asylums, either shall be foun
rn necessary.
rs The condition of the Idiotic, equal
e. with tnat of The Insane, IL ust engage ii
wv attention of the phiianthropist and state
IL man. A few years ago this hapless ella
= seemou beyond reach of eff cJnal relief :
of Recently, however, attempts TO rescl
IL them rom their apparently hopeless col
he dition have been crowned 10y results whit
inspire hope and encourage perseverance
ng The judicious humanity of tbe last &c,
&C eral Assembly inaugurated systemat
. plan for their instruction and lmprov
n ment, which has been SO far executed III
on de: your auspices, that ultimate succe
n is no longer doubtlui. II is not, indee
so to be expected that the Idiotic can
We elevated TO any high degree OF capacit
lrs but very many OF them can be qualified
or earn their own subsistence, and nearly
in can be truined TO habits of neatness al
me lpropriety. The whole number of lido
20 in the State is reasonably estimated
ge about 1000. OF these, 500 are of pr
,es per age to receive instructions. In Il
lin Asylum, recently opened for their rec
ce tion, there were, at the commencement
m the present year, l6; there were receive
lie during the year %; there were dischar
ms ed 6; there are absent 6; the number u
sm der instruction at the commencement
,e, the present year, was 26; the avera,
he number maintained at the States expen
mt 90; the expense Of the year, including Il
% cost of permanent improvements has be,