Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-07

does not fall short Of thrco thousand. The
which establish tho duty Of
some provision for somo Of the insane, re
quiro, doubtless adequate provision for all.
Several plans for such provision havo been
suggested One oontempates the enlarge
msnt Of one or moro oftho existing Asyums ,
another proposes to provide for tho support
and treatment Of the insane in the County
Infrmaries, while a third, not necessarily
excluding the others suggests the enact
ment Of n law for the establishment and
regulation Of private Asylums, in which a
large portion Of the insane would be provi-
dod for by their friends without charge to
the State. have no hesitation in recon-
mending the legislation contemplated by
this latter suggestion. The information
necessary TO well grounded choice be-
tween the other plans is not yet access
siblo. My impression is, that the first will
prove most economical and most bonif-
cent; if indeed, after the completion of the
Southwestern Asylum and the enactment
of judicious law for private Asylums,
either shall be found necessary.
The condition Of the idiotic, equally with
that of the insane, must engage the atten-
tion Of the philanthropist and statesman.
A few years ago this hapless class seemed
beyond reach of oifectual relief. Recently,
however, attempts to rescue them from
their apparently hopeless condition have
been crowned by results which inspire hope
and encourage perseverance. The judic-
ious humanity of the last General Assem-
bly, inaugurated a systematic plan for their
instruction and improvement, which has
been so far executed under your auspices,
that ultimate success is no longer doubtful
1t is not, indeed, to be expected that tho
idiotic can be elevated to any high degree
of capacity; but very many of them can
be qualified to earn their own subsistence,
and nearly all can be trained to habits Of
neatnesss and propreiy. The whole num-
Der of idiots in the State is reasonably es-
timaled at 1000. OF these, 500 arc of a
proper age to receive instruction. In the
Asylum, recently opened for their reception
there were, at the commencement Of tho
present year, 16; there we're received dur
ing the year, %; there were discharged, 8;
thore arc absent, 6; the humber under in
struction at the commencement of the pres
ent year, was %; tho average number
maintained at the States expense 2O.--
The expense of the yoar, excluding the
cost Of permanent Improvements has been
S3,s45 67. The average annual expense
of each pupil, was S192 so. When the
Institution is full, the average expense ol
each pupil, will of course, be less, and viii
not exceed the average cost of each inmate
Of the other Asylums. The question o
the permanent establishment and location
of the Institution should be promptly deci
ded. If decided affirmatiyely, provision
should be made for the purchase, either o.
the property in which it is temporarily es
tablished, or of some other site. Aftel
careful consideration Of all circumstances
think it my duty to recommend the first o
these alternatives as most judicious ant
most economical.
Deaf mutos constitute another class fol
whose education public provision must nee
essarily be made. TO our state belongs tht
honor of first recognizing this principle -
and nearly thirty years have now elapsed
since her Asylum was first opened to these
unfortunates. The number now in the stat,
is estimated at 1900. OF these more thai
one-thrd have received instruction in th'
Asylum, and probably another third are o
suitable age for admission. OF this latte
number $50 are in actual enjoyment of it!
benefits, while $50 are necessarily excluded
Tho number admitted during the year wa
35 aud the same number was discharged
The expenses Of the Institution paid by lh,
State during the last year were S2I,l7794
/ The average cost of each inmate was $141
The importance of adding to the instruction
in this Asylum, proper training for some in
duslrial occupation, as well as the necessit,
of some further provision for those whom ii
limited capacities exclude from admission
will doubtless engage your serious consid
Grafton.
Another class whose situation cnlists tn
warmest sympathies Of every feeling heart
and inyokes irresistaby the provident be
nevolence of the State is tho Blind. Th
total number of this class is estimated &
be $40. OF this number, about 200 are Q
proper and legal are for admission 10 thu
Asylum. Of these about 60 have eithc
already received its benefits, or are though
by their friends too young to be sent to it
leaving l40 who should be under instruction
There were in tho Asylum last year 90
there were admitted or re-admitted durin!
the year 2S tho whole number under it
instruction up TO its close was 1o5. Th
average number in daily attendance was "a
The expenses excluding $500 for perma
nent improvements, were 81 1887 ,95 show
ling an average outlay for each inmate {
near Sl42.
1t thus appears that the whole number
persons rendered infirm and dependent b
defective or diseased organization is e,04C
that of these S,040 are in conditions requi
ing provision for them 10 public or priyat
Institutions; that s47 are actually in III
State. Asylums, leaving 2,l99 unprogide
ior except so far as they may find relief
County lnfirmaries or private families; tbs
the average number constantly in the Asl
lums through the last year was s34; thi
lhe total cost to the State of their mainte
, anee during theyear was $l2s,4l0; that Il
COS. Of each inmate for tho year was $l54
, that to provide for those needing, but NJ
not now receiving the benefits of the AS,
{ lnms, at the same rate would require an a.
nusl additional expenditure of S337,7s
. making an aggregate annual outlay
/ S466, l32; and that these estimat