Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-21

four and twenty years............. loo, IS
Number engaged In teaching during
the last year. .............:.i. 7,5sI
have been taught ....-.......+.. 81
Number OF school districts in the s'Rte 4.o2
Value Of ali the school bouses in the
s'a'e....--............-. sl,4s7 ,495 q
month. :..:..... .....:.... $50 81
Average wages paid female teachers
per month........... ......... SIC 4;
Number Of pupils in attendance du-
ring the last year..,.............. $40, sel
Whole amount raised for teachers
wages during the last year s4l5,ss4 Al
Total tax for school purposes. S613,sol 9;
The State University, as shown by the re-
port from this institution, is now entirely free
from debt; has fine and commodious building:
erected, excellent professors appointed, and
is, in all respects, in condition for greater
usefulness
The amount expended by this institution
during the last year for current
Amount paid in liz uidating the debts of
the institution. ss4, 900 90
Amount paid for improvements on build
lngs... .............s......... 1923 IS
Amount paid for furniture. ............. S92 90
Number of students attending the insti-
tuition during the last year. .......... 1858
Average attendance during the year.. ISIS
Among the institutions worthy of your es-
pecial attention is the State Reform School
This school con mends itself to the kind
consideration of every lover of good morals
1t is intended, as its name imports, as place
of reformation and instruction, and not as
has been supposed by many, as a loathsome
prison, and place of punishment for Juvenile
offenders The object is to make its inmates
better, wiser and happier, and not more
wretched aud miserable. In short it is in
tended as school and not prison to fur
e. h.
the erring, and by the laws of love and kind.
ness, teach them the way of truth aud holt
ness, and induce them to walk therein.
When the character of the children sent
to this school is considered, many of them
homeless, friendless, and with no visible
means of support, driven almost by necessity
to the commission of crime, and when we
consider the influence upon the community
of allowing these children to grow upin idle
ness, ignorance and crime, the benefits of
this institution in moral point of view can
not be too highly estimated. But aside from
the beneficial results to the pupils themselves
and the community, in a moral point of view,
if we look at it pecuniarily, it is far cheaper
to educate and reform these children and
teach them some useful trade by which they
can earn a livelihood, than to bear the bur
dens they will necessarily impose upon socie-
ty, if left to become hardened criminals and
paupers.
Few of the older States can boast of a
better institution for reforming the young,
than can Wisconsin; beautiful and commodi-
Gus buildings, and well conducted, it is the
pride of our State, and worthy of the people
who established it. As the beautiful building
erected for this institution stands out as
monument to mark our advancement in ar
so does the purpose for which it
was erected tell of a peoples goodness. Ac-
by our worthy Secretary | visited
this institution during the last summer and
was much pleased with its management. l
invite your attention to the valuable report
of the Managers and Superintendent, herewith
presented, for detailed account of the man
ner in which it has been conducted, and
would recommend that the appropriation
asked for the present year be granted.
The total amount expended in support of
the school during the last year, as APP
pears 10y the report of the Managers,
was. 81, 1856 SO
Total amount expended for currentex-
renses wss................... s12,456 SO
Total amount expended in building. -. $500 90
Total amount of appropriation asked for
the present year SIG, 900 90
Whole number of pupils received since
the opening of the school. ............ 246
Whole number Of pupils received during
tue last year.. 80
Whole number now in the school. 137
Whole number discharged during the
last year. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Is
The Wisconsin State Hospital for the In
sane, would also commend to your patron
age.
Experience has established the fact that
cases of insanity which may be easily cured
if proper steps are taken in their early stages,
become incurable if allowed to remain any
great length of time without proper treat
ment. Ii is greatly for the interests of the
State, therefore, that all cases of this nature
should receive prompt attention, and thereby
avoid the necessity of their becoming per-
charge upon the State. Humanity
also, demands that the unfortunate class of
persons afflicted with insanity should be cared
for, and if possible, restored to health, hap
piness and usefulness. At times of great
mental excitement like the present, cases of
this nature most frequently occur. An insti-
tuition for their treatment is more important,
during our present national troub-
les than in times of peace. / lay before you
the interesting reports of the officers in
charge of this institution. 1t will be source
of much qualification to all, to learn from
them that the last years labors, under the
pICoCnJ nave EEtdblf
its condition and added much to its
usefulness.
Fifty per cent. Of the cases received during
the last year have been cured The average
number of cases cured in other institutions
so far as can learn, is 1905 per cent.
The expenses of the institution have also
been much reduced. These results have been
brought about doubtless, in a measure,
by the employment of the inmates, so far as
could be properly done, in necessary labor
about the Hospital and its grounds. Saying
nothing of the economy of giving employ
ment to the insane, there is no question that
employment of some kind, as well as amuse-
ments, are quite as necessary agents. in restor-
ing them to health and reason, as the drugs of
the physician. believe tits a well established
fact that over fifty per cent. of the cases of
insanity that occur in our country, are the
results of inebriety. Inasmuch as the Gene
raj Government sanctions the traffic, in'spirit-
uous liquors and 10 deriving large revenues
from it, would suggest the propriety of ask
ing Congress to aid in caring for this class of
cases, by apprOpriating certain per oentage
of the income derived from this traffic to the
State, for the support of the Lunatic or Inc
briate asylums. It would seem to me to be
no more than justice that the General Gov
eminent should aid in bearing a burden it
assists in and profits by creating, and that the
victim of intemperance should
share in the enjoyment of the revenue his
folly has so largely aided in producing.
The number of PATIENTS now in the Hos go
pital for the Insane is................ no
The number admitted during the last
Observation-Disclosures. liz
The number discharged during the last
year was. 100
The number admitted since opening the
Hospital NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 4ss
rhe amount expended for the support Of