Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-01-13

The Central Asylum will accommodate
260 inmates, the Northern $50, and the
Southern 100. Each has been filed to
its capacity. Another Asylum is in pro-
gress of construction in Hamilton County,
for the reception of the insane of that coun-
ty only. After It's completion and open
ing, that county will constitute the South
Western Asylum District. u 5r175
The number of Insane in Ohio accord
ing TO the census of 1850 was 1908. This
number was doubtless understated. / am
satisfied that the present number is not
less than two thousand. The superintend-
ent of the Central Asylum thinks it does
not fall short of three thousand. The
arguments which establish the duty of
some provision for some of the Insane, re-
qrire doubtless, adequate provision for all.
Several plans for such provision have been
suggested. One contemplaies the enlarge
ment Of one or more of the existing Asy-
lums; another proposes to provide for the
support and treatment of the Insane in
the County Infirmaries; while a third, not
necessarily excluding the Others suggests
the enactment of a law for the establish
ment and regulation of private asylums, in
which large portion of the Insane would
be provided for by their friends without
charge to the State l have no hesita-
tion in recommending the legislation con-
templated by this latter suggestion. The
information necessary to a well grounded
chiocebetween the other plans isnot yet ac-
cessible. Ny impression is that the first
will prove most economical and mcst benef-
cient; il indeed, after the completion Of
the Southwestern Asylum and the enact
ment of judieions law for the Private
Asylums, either shall be found necessary.
The condition of the Idiotic, equally
with that of the Insane, must engage the
attention of the philanthropist and states
man. A few years ago this hapless class
seemed beyond reach of effectual relief
Recently, however, attempts 10 rescue them
from their apparently hopeless condition
have been crowned by results which inspire
hope and encourage perseverance. The
judicious humanity Of the last General As
sembly inaugurated systematic plan for
their instruction and improvement which
has been so far executed under auspices,
that ultimate success is no longer doubt-
full 1t is not, indeed, to be expected that
the Idiotic can be elevated to any high de-
gree of capacity; but very many of them
can be qualified to earn their own subsst-
ence, and nearly all can be trained to habits
of neatness and proprieiy. The whole
number of idiots in the State is reasonably
estimated at about 1000. Of these, 500
are of a proper age to receive instruction.
In the Asylum, recently opened for their
reception, there were, at the commence
ment of the present year, Is; there were
received during The year %; there were
discharged 6; there are absent 6; the mum
Der under instruction at the commencement
of the present year, was 26; the average
number maintained al the States expense
20. The expense of the year, excluding
the cost of permanent improvements has
been $3,s45 81. The average annual cx-
pense of each pupil, was sl92 SO. When
the Institution is full, the average expense
of each pupil will of course be less, and
will not exceed the average cost of each
inmate of the other Asylums. The ques-
tion of the permanent establishment and
location ofthe Institution should be prompt
ly decided. If decided affirmatively, pro-
vision should be made for the purchase,
either of the property in which it is tenn
porarily established, or of some other site
After careful consideration of all circum-
cumstances, | think it my duty to recon-
mend the first of these alternatives as most
judicious and most economical.
Deaf mutes constitute another class for
whose education public provision must ne
cessarily be made To our State belongs
the honor of first recognizing this principle
and nearly 80 years have elapsed since her
Asylum was first opened to these unfortu-
mates. The number now in the State is
estimated at 1900. OF these, more than
one-lhird have received instruction in the
Asylum, and probably another third are Of
suitable age for admission. Of this latter
number $50 are in actual enjoyment of its
benefits, while ESQ are necessarily excluded.
The number admitted during the year was
35, and the same number was discharged.
The expenses of the Institution paid by
the Slate during the last year were S2l,-
1877 "a. The average cost of each inmate
was Sl4l.q The importance of adding to
the instruction Of this Asylum, proper
training some industrial occupation, rs well
as the necessity Of some further provision
for those whom its limited capacities ex-
clude from adm ssion, will doubtless en-
gage your serious consideration.
Another class whose situation enlists
the warmest sympathies Of every feeling
heart, and invokes ilresistibly the provident
benevolence of the State, is the Blind. The
total number of this class is estimated to
be $40. Of this. number about 200 are oI
proper age for admission to the Asylum
OF these about go have either already re-
ceived its benefits, or are thought by their
friends too young to be sent to it; leaving
140 who should be under instruction
There were in the Asylum last year 100
there were admitted or readmitted during
the year 90; the whole number under its
instruction up to its close was lo5. The
average number in daily attendance was
81. The expenses, excluding $4,000 fol
permanent improvements, were Sl3,387
95 showing an average outlay for each in
mate of near Sl42. ,t
1t thus appears that the whole number
of persons rendered in6rm and dependent
by defective or diseased organization is 6,
O4O, that of these 3,040 are in conditions
| rennirino rroxision for them In puhlic OF