The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-01-19

tanco and interest to merit your careful
consideration, and as such recommend
it to your attention
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The condition of the Benevolent and
Reformatory Institutions is, upon the
whole, highly satisfactory.
The number remaining in the Asy-
lum for the Deaf and Dumb, at the close
Of the last year, was 1913; at The close
Of the preceding year 15O A greater
number Of inmates than the present
cannot be accommodated, though, for
want of room, many equally needy and
equally deserving with those now re-
ceivod, must be excluded. Tho expon-
sos Of tho past year were 82j, ,l2I, and
those of the preceding year S2l,433.-
A large part Of the increase was for
necessary repairs and improvements be-
yond those Of ordinary years An ap.
preparation Of 824, 500 is asked for 1860;
and an urgent request for new build
ing is preferred. Nor should I hcsi-
tate to recommend new and enlarged
structures if the revenue from the lev
les Of last year would warrant me in so
doing. Should you see ft to take meas
uros for asoortainiug the best location
and plan Of such structures, and pro-
vide for the cost by the necessary levy,
I do not doubt that your action would
be approved by our common consGtu-
ents.
The number of inmates Of the Insti-
tuition for the Blind increased from 1O5
in 1858 to 12O in 1859. The highest
number which had previously enjoyed
the benefits Of the Institution was %,
in 1S4S, The constant increase in the
number Of pupils, and their improve
mont, is the highest eulogy upon its
management. The expenses in 1859
we're S18,S37; in 1858 S2G,2O2 The
appropriation asked for in 1860, in view
of a proposed enlargement, is 826,5OO.
In the Asylum for Idiots, thirty chill
dren have been received, supported and
instructed during the past year, at an
aggregate expense of 10000, cxclus-
i've Of sums received on account Of pay
ing inmates The expenditure is GER
tainly large, but it includes somo pay
ments Of debts incurred during the pre-
eeding year, and some for rent and iu-
surance, for which no disbursements are
made by the other Institutions. 1t
should be remembered also, that the
expenses Of an asylum receiving few in
mates, must be necessarily larger in
proportion than those of one receiving
many, The number in the Asylum for
Idiots would be doubled, if its capacity
admitted of it, end the outlay would not
be materially increased. True econo.
my requires, in my Judgment, the pur-
chase Of the site and buildings now
rented, and the enlargement Of the
latter.
The structure authorized in Hamil-
ton county, for the Idiotic and Insane,
has been recently completed 1t is said
to be very commodious, and sufficiently
large to accommodate with facility, five
hundred, and, upon necessity, six humid
red inmates. A Board of Trustees has
been organized for its government, con-
sisting Of one member appointed by me,
and two appointed by the Commission
ers Of Hamilton county. That county,
therefore, now constitutes the South
western Lunatic Asylum District, and
the Institution just organized is to re
ceive all the idiotic and insane within
its limits, to be supported by a county
tax, and appropriations from the State
Treasury, equal in amount to the taxes
collected in the county for the mainte-
nance Of State Lunatic Asylums. I
am informed that no such county tax
as'is described in tho act is authorized
or levied in Hamilton county. Some
legislation, therefore, will doubtless be
necessary to provide for its support.
Thus four Lunatic Asylums arc now
open in the State, capable of receiving
a few more than twelve hundred in
mates. Large as this provision is, it is
yet sadly certain that it is not large
enough. Not less than a thousand in
sane, needing the benefits of such in
must still remain either who'll
ly neglected or inadequatoly provided
for.
1 cannot recommend, however, addi-
tional public provision. Judicious leg
islation regulating county infrmaries
and authorizing private asylums, would,
in my judgment, afford all needed re.
lief, and perhaps diminish the large ex-
penditures now borne by the State,
The number of inmates in each of tho
three Lunatic Asylums heretofore or
ganizod, was less at the close Of the last
than at the close of tho preceding
year. Sufficient reasons for the dimi-
mutton are assigned in the several re-
ports The fact, however, is much to
be regretted, though compensated in
part by increased success in treatment.
1t may be safely said, think, that these
Asylums were never in better condition
than now.
The total expenses Of the three Asy.
lums, during the past year, were $685.
427 and tho appropriations asked for
1860, are S1ll,G8O. The general aggro-
gate of disbursements must be inoreas-
cd during tho present year, by the nee
essary provision for the Southwestern
Asylum The striotost economy will
be necessary to bring the annual cost Of
tho four Asylums within limits staisfac-
tory to tho people,
The number of boys remaining on
tho State Reform Farm at the close Of
1859, was l02, AT the close of 1858 il