The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1859-01-14

'erly qlalhed officers OF the State. The
law recognizes the value Of this agenc y
in requiring the State Commissioner to
devote portion Of his time to such labors.
But il is obvious that the thorough dis
charge the other duties imposed on him
is quite Incompatible with efficient labors
Of this kind. I suggest therefore, that he
be authorized to employ one or more com
petent agents to visit every township and
urge upon parents, teachers and children,
the duties essential to the highest efficien-
cy Of our schools. This plan has been "a
dopted elsewhere with the happiest effects.
If adopted here we need not, fear the dis
closures Of any future census, or doubt
that our system of Common Schools. al
ready regarded MS model for imitation
by other States, will vindicate, by perfect
success, its claims to admiration and hon
or
While we mw reasonably hope that the
illiterate, as a class, will soon disappear
from our society, no such pleasing expec
tation can be INDUCED in respect to that
large portion Of the community whom de-
feet and disease in mental or physical or
gauizstion render proper objects Of pub
lie care and whose number and relation
to society constitute another element Of
our social condition, Which must engage
your notice. Et 'n.
The benevol9nce of the State has al
ready provided three Asylums for the in,
sane, which have cost for grounds and
construction about s47i,000, and are
sustained at an annual expense of S9o,-
600, excluding charges properly belong
Ing TO the occount Of construction and in
terest. The cost of the Northern and Cen
trail Asylums has been about $l53 600,
each; that Of the Southern about lG8,-
900. The actual value Of the Central
Asylum is row probably more than dou-
bic tha! Of either Of the others. .'t.
In these Asy'ums there were at the be-
ginning Of the last year. $50 inmates, and
there were received during the year 4l4,
making the whole number Of participants
in their benefits 982; there were dscharg-
ed 4l2; there died 4.,, and there remain
ed at the commencement Of the current
year, $40 Or those discharged $40 had
been restored to sanity, and 35 decidedly
improved. The average expense OF each
inmate was about $l58. i
The Central Asylum will accommodate
$50 inmates the Northern l50, and the
Southern 100. Another Asylum is in
progress of construction in Hamilton coun-
ty, for the reception Of the Insane Of that
county only. After its completion and
opening. that county will constitute the
Sou.h western Asylum District.
The number of insane in Ohio accord
ing to the census OF 1850 was 1903. This
number was doubtless understated. am
satisfied that the present number is not
less than two thousand The Superinten-
dent of the Central Asylum thinks it does
not fall short Of three thousand. The ar
euments which establish the duty Of some
provision for some Of the Insane, require
doubtless, adequate provisions for all
Several plans for such provisions have
been suggested. One contemplates the
enlargement Of one or more ofihe exist
ing Asylums another proposes to pro-
vide for the support and treatment of the
Insane in the county In6rmaries; while
third, not necessarily excluding the 9th
ers, suggests the enactment OF law for
the establishment and regulation private
Asylums, ia which large portion Of the
insane would be provided for by their
friends without charge to The State. l
have no hesitation in recommending the
Legislation contemplated by this latter sug-
gcstion. The information necessary 10
we'll grounded choice between the other
plans is not yet accessible. My impress
sion is that the FIRST will prove most econ
omical and most bene6cent if indeed,
after the completion Of the South western
Asylum and the enactment of a jldicious
law for private Asylums, either shall be
found necessary. -e -L
The condition Of the Idiotic, equally with
that of the Insane, must engage the atten-
ton OF the philanthropist and statesman.
A few years ago this hapless class SEEM
ed beyond reach Of effectual relief. Re-
Gently, however attempts to rescue them
from their apparently hopeless condition
have been crowned by results which in
splre hope and encourage perseverance.
The judicious humanity of the last gene
raj assembly inaugurated a systematic
plan for their instruction and improve
ment, which has been SO far executed un-
der your auspices, that ultimate success
is no longer doubtful 1t is not, indeed,
to be expected that the Idiotic can be ele-
waited to any high degree Of capacity; but
very many Of them can be qualified to
earn their subsistence, and nearly all can
be trained 10 habits Of neatness and pro-
priety. The whole number of Idiots in
the State is reasonably estimated at 1000
OF these, 500 are ofproper age to receive
instruction. In the Asylum, recently o.
pened for their reception, there were, at
the commencement Of the present year