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

in their sorost need, and inficts upon soci-
ETY. the moral and social evils necessarily
resulting from the presence Of such class
neglected in its midst.
The statements have submitted are de-
signed to set clearly before you tho nature
and magnitude Of the evil for which you are
called upon to provide remedy. They
will, perhaps, convince you Of the necessity
Of restoring tho policy adopted at the open
ing and pursued for twelve years in tho nd
ministraton Of tho Asylums, of requiring
that tho cost of maintenance in them DO de-
frayed by tho parents or guardians Of the
inmates, in cases where the circumstances
of the parties fully justify it. They will, l
think, also satisfy you Of the expediency Of
encouragement by law, TO tho establish
ment of private In6rmarios and Asylums, in
which there is reason 10 believe many will
bo maintained by thor own means or by
relatives and friends, and that others, need
ing help from the State, can, in many cases
be provided for at much less than tho pres
cnt cost. They will also, it may be hoped
recommend to all entrusted with the admin.
istration of these institutions, the duties oI
economy in expenditure and vigilance il
oversight.
Many individuals of the classes partially
provided for in the State Asylums, are in
mates of the County In6rmaries. This
fact imparts additional force TO the genera
considerations which suggest further legisla
tiou for the regulation of these institutions
/ regret that tho Commissioner appointed
under the act of your predecessors to exam
inc the reports required by it, and prepare
bill for the better endowment, regulation
and management of Inhrmaries, has as yet
been unable to fulfil the duty imposed by
his appointment. l trust, however, thai
the preparation of a proper bill, and the
necessary legislative action upon it will moi
be long delayed.
Pauperism.
Another important element, entering in.
to every adequate estimate of social condi
tion, is that of Pauperism. In Ohio the
pauper class is less numerous than in MANY
other STATES; but is yet large enough to re
quite thoughtful consideration. The mum
Der of poor, well, or il-proyided for eithei
temporarily or permanently, in Infrmsries
Houses of Refuge, or other Institutions, j,
estimated at $500; and the number of tht
same class receiving outdoor relief at 12,
900, making tho total number Of poor sup
ported wholly or partially by the public
during the year 14,soo. Estimating Tho
population of tho State to be 100000
the proportion If paupcrs is one in 1922
The proportion of the same class in Eng
land is one in ~; in New York, according
to the census Of 1850, it was one in SO; i
Massachusetts, one in 65. For the preven
tion of its increase in Ohio, we must rely OF
the aid OF Education, upon tho influence o
Religion, and upon equal laws, securing tC
labor its just share CT production. There j,
no reason to expect, however, that the poo
will ever cease out of the land. Hereafter
as heretofore, it will be the duty of Statoi
and individuals to open wide the hand L
the needy. Let us hope that our own State
so honorably distinguished for her Insttu
tions Of Benevocnce, will never fail in th,
Just performance of it.
To ascertain the entire rumber Of tho dc
peslent classes, it will be proper to add L
the number of the insane and otherwise nat
uraly infrn, 6,040, and to the number G
paupers, 14,sO0 the average number dali,
in confinement under charge or sentence 70
crime, estimated at 11,400; making tn
whole number of persons to be maintaino,
wholly, or in part from public revenues o
/ by private aid, 32,240.
This aggregate includes all the Insane
the Idiotic, the Deaf and Dumb, the Blind
the indoor and outdoor paurars and the i'm
prisoned. Tho whole mass may become e
any time what much tho larger portion j
at all times, charge upon the State. lti
what may justly be called the infrm eiemep
of society. Its proportion TO the whole cor
stitutes an important indication of the MOI
al and industrial condition of a State Tha
proportion in Ohio, is as one to rs; in Mas;
achusotts, as one to Il; in New York, a
one TO 20.
nrfu,