Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-03-17
IDI6TIC AND IMBECILE YOUTH
Report Of the Superintendent of the
ohio State Asylum.

of the Superintendent OF the
Ohio State Asylum.
70 the Board OF Trtstees:-The
twelfth annual report of the Superln-
tendent is made under peculiar en-
cumstanees in the history OF the 1n-
stitution, being the first made since
the occupancy of the new building,
which has been provided and equipped
in that liberal manner which has
characterized the people of our State
in their provision for the unfortunate
them. All of this is simple
duty, but it is, nevertheless, one of the
evidences of an enlightened and Chris
tan age that such obligations are SO
universally admitted and performed,
particularly in regard to this class OF
the afflicted. The time was when the
garrets, the closets, or other obscure
places were good enough to shelter
them from the inclemency of the
weather and the observation of the
world, but not to alleviate the suffer
ings of their fOre-doomed misfortune,
nor counteract the gloomy and de-
pressing influences entailed upon
them, in consequence, not only of
their mental condition, but also by
reason of ungracious treatment from
others. Happily this is to give way to
a better order of things, and then the
least of the little ones are to be gath
cred in and tenderly cared for.
1t is also simple justice, for, as eX-
p~erience has proved them capable OF
improvement, it brings them within
that wise, just, and humane provision
in the fundamental law of our State
which requires that all shall have the
opportunity of education, and that the
wants of the helpless and INDECENT
shall be regarded.
There are considerations which I'M
deFlie the establishment of the princi-
pie that the infirm of all classes shall
be tenderly cared for, which interest
us all alike; for human beings suffer-
ing the various ais which our several
benevolent institutions are intended
to relieve, have always existed, and
always will, to mark those violations
of natures laws which cannot be bro
ken if we would preserve physical
and mental symmetry. If there were
no such violations there would be no
necessity for institutions of this char
acter, for a people who live correctly
and under proper influences can have
no such offspring. But, living as we
do, who a say with confidence that
he or she is secure. even with the most
correct habits and hygiene? Inf1uen-
ces entirely beyond their control may
be, or have been, at work, and no one
can feel assured against the stroke of
I I;saoca nor fbof II OboH not cfopan ffa
effects indelibly ever after, not only
upon the unfortunate subject, but upon
the second or third generation. 1t
may be a physical infirmity simply,
but mental and physical inirmities
are so closely allied that the n can
scarcely exist without the other. That
the temper and condition of the
parent, whether original or acquired,
is handed down to the child, cannon
be denied. If the parent is consump-
tive, the child is expected to be; if the
parent is insane, a like fate awaits the
child; so with epilepsy and many
other diseases, obscure mental affec-
lions and depressing habits-all OF
which, making their impress upon
the unfortunate subject, mark theiI
offspring as their prey.
Being thus able to connect cause
and effect, it becomes us all to appre-
ciate our own insecurity, and to rec
ognize the practical relation sustained
10y all to the benevolent institutions
of our State. They have been proyi.
ded by the promptings of that crown.
ing Christian virtue-CHARrTY.-
There perhaps never has been an oc.
casion for their use that has not been
a surprise to those who have had tC
avail themselves of their benefits, and
many q Jealous friend of the unfortu-
many a day, of the bread thus cast
upon the waters.
The new building was occupied in
July, but in an unfinished state,
reasons of a sanitary nature making
it seem more advisable to do so, than
to remain longer in the old building.
Since our occupancy of the building,
it has been pushed as rapidly toward
completion as circumstances would
permit. The entire building is now
nearly ready for use. The work about
the ground, such a grading, making
roads, laying down walks, making
sewers, etc., has also been done as far
as possible. No more of the work has
been done, however, than seemed alb.
solutely necessary for the comfortan
welfare of the children. Much re-
mains to be done, but we hope to dc
this with economy, by awaiting our
selves of the labor of our older pupils,
and thus at the same time benefit
them. 'I"
There are now in the Institution los
children; twenty-five more have been
ordered, and win be admitted early in
the winter. The number can be
further increased to one hundred and
fifty. 1t is not deemed prudent to eX-
coed this number for some months,
for reasons connected with organiZa-
ton and classification of the children.
The entire number admitted are under
training, and give evidence of capaci-
" for improvement. The general
plan adopted for their development
will be the same a that pursued in the
old buildings, but with more complete
facilities and conveniences. The I'M
dustrial capacity of-each child will be
carefully studied, and, as far as posi-
BILE, faithfully developed. The wisdom
of providing a farm is here apparent,
and is fully justified. Simple trades
will be adopted from time % time, as
is found expedient. All Of this will
be done that the class may be devel-
oped as far as they are capable, but it
is not expected that they will make
skilled mechanics or thorough farm
ers. They are feeble mentally, and OF
course weak physically. They must
of necessity, when tried by the ordi-
nary standard, remain so; but it is
when compared with themselves that
their development fsto beappreciated.
This Institution did not have its origin
in the spirit of economy, but origina-
ted in that Christian sympathy for the
sufferings of others which actuate a
humane people. 1t was enough that
they. were neglected, and that that
neglect resulted in a condition worse
than death. The difficulty of proper
" caring for this class in the family,
or otherwise privately and the fact of
that care, when attempted, ~degenera-
ting into n species of custody infinite.
" worse than that accorded to an
finals, was comprehended in some de-
gree, The evil effect of such q course
of treatment Is nowin the knowledge
of every one. If the condition of the
family be ever so good, the task of
properly caring for an idiot members
too arduous to be well performed, if
there are any other claims upon their
| time or attention. Steady degenera-
cy, moral, mental and physical, is the
inevitable result; and what renders
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