Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-12

structed during the past year, at an aggre-
gate expense Of $40, 1000, exclusive of
sums received on account of paying in
mates. The expenditure is certainly
large, but it includes some payment Of
debts incurred during the preceding year.
and some for rent and insurance, for
which no disbursements are made by the
other Institutions. 1t should be remem-
bered, also, that the expenses of any Asy.
lum receiving few inmates, must necess.
arily be larger in proportion than those
Of one receiving many. The number in
the Asylum for Idiots would be doubted
if its capacity admitted of it, and the out.
lay would not be materially increased
True economy requires, in my judgment.
the purchase of the site and buildings
now rented, and the enlargement of the
latter.
/ The structure authorized in Hamilton
county. for the Idiotic and Insane, has
been recently completed. Itis said to be
very commodious, and sufficiently large
to accommodate with facility FIVE hun.
dred and. upon necessity. six hundred,
inmates. A Board of Trustees has been
organized for its government. consisting
of one member appointed by me, and
two appointed by the Commissioners Of
Hamilton county. That county. there.
fore, now constitutes the Southwestern
Lunatic Asylum District, and the Institu.
ton just organized is to receive all the
idiotic and insane within its limits. to be-
supported by county tax, and sppropri-
ations from the State Treasury, equal in
amount to the taxes collected in the
county, for the maintenance Of State
Lunatic Asylums. ] am informed that
no such county tax as is described in the
act is authorized or levied in Hamilton
county. Some legislation, therefore, will
doubtless be necessary to provide for iss
support.
Thus four Lunatic Asylums are Low
open to the State, capable of receiving q
few more than twelve hundred inmates.
Large as this provision is. it is yet sadly
certain that it is not large enough. Not
less than thousand insane, needing the
benefits of such institutions, must still re-
main whelly neglected or inadequately
provided for.
cannot recomnend, however, addi-
ional public provision. Judicious legis.
alton regulating county infrmaries. and
private ssylums, would, in
ny Judgment, afford all needed relief, and
perhaps diminish the large expenditures
low borne by the State.
The number Of inmates in each of the
hree Lunatic Asylums heretofore organ.
zed, was less at the close of the last than
It the close of the preceding year. Suf-
icient reasons for the diminution are as
igned in the several reports. The fact,
however, is much to be regretted, though
in part by increased success
n treatment. 1t may be safely said, I
hink, that these Asylums were never in
,etter conditions than now.
The total expenses of the three Asy.
ams, during the past year, were S93, ,429.
nd the appropriations asked for 1860
re S111,670. The general aggregate of
endorsements must Le increased during
he present year, by the necessary pro-
,ision for the Southwestern Asylum
The strictest economy will be necessary
o bring the annual cost of the four Asy-
ums within limits satisfactory to the
eople.
The number of boys remaining on the
tate Reform Farm at the close of 1859,
as 102. At the close of 1858, it was
8. The expenditures during the last
ear were $21 ,517; of which large pro-
ortion was for buildings and other per-
lament improvements which have added
lrgely to the value of the farm as prop
rty. This institution has thus far full
He'd the wise and humane design of the
legislature. Its direct agency in reform
ton has been quite as efficient as was
nticipated, while it would be difficult to
leasure its utility in the prevention of
rime.
Under the influence of its example In
ustrial Schools have been organized in
,leveland and Cincinnati for that class
yagrants and destitute children,-so-
ial orphans,-whoc cannot be brought in
> the Common Schools, and from whose
umbers the ranks of crime are continual
? recruited. The Institution at Cleve-
md offering not only some measure of
but employment and food as
to attendance, has been thus
IT, extremely useful, and gives promises
{ yet greater unity. Vagraney, pilier-
40, and more serious crime, have sensi-
ly diminished under its influence. That
t Cincinnati, more recently begun, is yet
D make proof of its efficiency for good.
Upon examining the Reports OF the
arious Institutions, You will doubtless
bserye considerable differences in amount
nd value of information, and in modes OF
-eatment. | have heretofore suggested,
nd now renew the suggestion, that the
sveral Superintendents or Presidents OF
oaids Of Trustees be required to meet at
.ast once year for consultation upon
lans of management. and on modes oil
,aking up Reports. do not doubt that
,cb consultations viii promote economy
, administration. and secure much clear
and better statements of its theory,
istory and results.
The administration of the Penitentiary
aring the last year was eminently sue
,ssful. While the number Of convicts
creased from 693 to S53, exceeding the
imber of available cells by l55, and