Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-04

school is universally acknowledged Without
this the great object of the common schools,
namely: good education for every child in the
State, fails of accomplishment. The Federal
Census of 1850 exhibited the fact that over
thirty-fve thousand persons in Ohio, twenty
years old and upwards, were unable to read or
write. This number was about one in seven
teen OF all the people of the same age. If we
reflect that besides these totally llliterate per-
sons, there is large number whose education
hardly raises them to a higher level, we shall
attain some just conception of the importance
OF adequate provision for universal attendance.
We must not be satisfied while one person
capable of instruction remains untought or i'll
taught. No means seem better adapted to Sc
cure attendance, awaken interest and quicken
effort in the attainment of knowledge than fire.
qnent visits, addresses and conversations by
properly qualified officers of the State. The
law recognizes the value of this agency in re-
quiring the State Commissioner to devote a
portion of his time 10 such labors But 1t Is
obvious that the thorough discharge of the 9TH
er duties imposed on him is quite incompatible
with efficient labOrs of this kind. l suggest,
therefore, that he be authorized TO employ one
or more competeut agents to visit every town
ship and urge upon parents, teachers and chill
dren, the duties essential to the highest eff
cheney of our schools. This plan has been
adopted elsewhere with the happiest effects =
If adopted here, We need not fear the disclo
sures of any future census, or doubt that our
system of Common Schools, already regarded
as a model for imitation by other States, will
vindicate, by perfect surcess, its claims to ad-
mirItion and honor.
While we may reasonably hope that the illit
crate, as class, will soon disappear from our
ha
INDUCED in respect to that large portion of the
community whom defect and disease in mental
or physical organization render proper objects
of public care; and whose number and relation
to society constitute another element of our
social condition, which must engage your no.
tice.
The benevolence of the State has already
provided three Asylums for the Insane, which
have cost for grounds and construction about
S474 600, and are sustained at an annual ex-
pense of $4,000, excluding charges properly
belonging to the account of construction and
interest The cost of the Northern and Cen
trail Asylums has been about Sl53,000 each;
that of the Southern about SI6S,000. The ac-
tual value of the Central Asylum is now prob
ably more than double that of either Of the
others
In these Asylums there were at the begin
/ 0iIlu OF the last year, lllLldtCSJ anu AhCAC
were received during the year Ala, making the
whole number of participants in their benefits
9s2; there were discharged 4l2; there died 43,
and there remained at the commencement of
the current year, $40. Of those discharged
240 had been restored to sanity, and 35 deci-
dedlv improved The average expense of each
| inmate was about Sl5S-
The Central Asylum will accommodate $50
inmates, the Northern $50, and the Southern
| l60 Each has been filed to the extent of its
capacity Another Asylum is in progress of
construction in Hamilton County, for the Ieeep'
ton of the Insane of that County only. After
its completion and opening, that County will
constitute the South western Asylum District
The number of Insane in Ohio according to
the census of 1850 was 1903. This number
was doubtless understated l am satisfied that
| the present number is not less than two thou
sand The Superintendent of the Central Asy-
sum thinks it does not fall short of three thou
land The arguments which establish the duty
/ of some provision for some of the Insane, re-
quire doubtless, adequate provision for ALL
Several plans for such provision have been sug
gested. One contemplates the enlargement OF
D-oDoses 10 provide ffsttiigs ffof uASElgmsi another
mont of the Insane in the County lnhrmarles
while third, not necessarily excluding the
others. suggests the enactment of a law for the
establishment and regulation of private Asy'
lums, in which a large portion OF the insane
would be provided for by their friends wlthon
charge to the State. l have no hesitation II
recommending the legislation contemplated 0.
this latter suggestion. The information heces
sary to well grounded choice between III
other plans is not yet accessible. My impress
ion is that the first will prove most economics
and most benefeent; if indeed, after the CON
, pletion of the South western Asylum ana I'd
enactment of judicious law for FriVate AsS
lums. either shall be found necessary
The condition of the Idiotic, equaily VII
that of the Insane. must engage the altent!o
Of the nhiIapthropist and statesman a le'
,,o,-s agn this hapless class seemed beyond reac
Of afTectual relief. Recently, however, attempt
to rescue them from their apparently hoPele'
. condition have been crowned by results whic
I inspire hope and encourage perseverance. IN
iudicious humanity of the last General AssemnI
inaugurated systematic plan for their lnstru
: ! tion and improye1nent, which has been so Tar eA
cuted under your auspices, that ultimate su
r. cess is no longer doubtful. It is not, indeed,
!. be expected that the Idiotc can be elevated
r. any high degree of capacity; but very many
ir them can be qualified to earn their own s1osls
i ence, and nearly all can be trained TO haplts
:. neatness and propriety. The Whole huulueI
II IDIOTS in the State is reasonably estimated
= about .OO0. Ofthese, 500 are Of proper a
TO receive instruction. In the Asylum, receI
: Iv onened for their reception, there were, at t
~ commencement of the present year, 10; the
r we're received during the year p; there We
AZ discharged 6; there are absent 3; the nunI
: under instruction at the commencement OF
% nreseut wear, was 26; the average number ma
~ tanned at the States expense 90 The exPer
;s of the year, excluding the cost OF PeIman'
D imnrovements has been SO, ,S45.o7 Inc a
he raGe annual expense of each pupil, was SIsz'
bo When the Institution is full, the average
'-e pense of each pupil will of course be less
~, will not exceed the average cost OF each INN
= Of tbe other Asylums. The question OF the
IN manent establishment and location of the In
10 tuition should be promptly decided. ii decl'
- affirmatiyely, provision should be made Tor
.oe purchase, either of the property IN when
sb Temporarily established, or of some other site
,ft After careful consideration OF all cIrenms.ah
l think it nv duty to recommend the hrsI
in these alternatives as most judicious and III
oils economical.
Ial- Deaf mutes constitute another class for VIII
cb- education public provision must necessarily
re- made. To our State belongs the honor OF
NV recognizing this principle; and nearly SO u
oh have now elapsed since her Asy lum was
"a onened to these unfortunates. The mum
;. ;n, now In the State is estimated at 200.
tU fs1x these, more than one-third have received
III. struction in the Asylum, and probably anot
ex- third are of suitable age for admission. Of
bat latter number $50 are in actual enjoyment o
can can benefits, while $50 are necessarily excludes
The number admitted during the year was was
as and the same number was discharged The
penses of the Institution paid BY the ,i state
Z ne. hing the last year were s2l, IN, "a The
age cost of each inmate was sl4 Inc I'M p
inc tsnce ofadding to the instruction in this Asyl
The proper training for some industrial oceuPa'