New-York tribune., 1869-01-04
MASSACHUSETTS,.

THE STATE rSSTITUTIONS--ANNUAL REPORTS OF
THE MANAGERs-THE STATE PRISON, INSANE
ASTLUMs, ALMSHOUSES AND THE REFORMA-
TORY EsTABIIsHMENTs-THE VISIT OF MR..
CHARLES DICKENS TO THE NAUTICAL SCHOOL.
lFRoN OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
BOsTON, Jan. 2.-The annual reports of the
managers OF cur State institutions all published and
will be transmitted to the Legislature on Wednesday
next Thcy contain the variety Of facts Of local in
tercst aud statements worthy Of general
attention
Tie annual report Of the Directors Of the state Prison
corroboraes tile generally admitted fact that intemper
nce "a great cause Of crime aud it is shown that during
eight months Of last year. when the public sale of spirit
uous liquors was prohibited there were 65 commitments
and that during the period this year when the sale
has besu wholly strained there were 1885, The warden
5n his report shows that the institution has more than
paid expenses during the last two years the surplus
being t4g2 C5 This result has been obtained not by
reduction OF the number OF officers OF OF Their pay but Oy
ystematzug every department, and in obtaining some
thing near the value OF the labor OF me c0hVcs Ihe
euccess c the last two years Is likely to remain perna
,s,io and two suggestions are thrown One Is that
may be applied 70 the prevention OF 0lne, anu he
es the inmates shall become interested in the receipts
by being permitted for Industry aud good conduct 10
draw a percentage OF the surplus over and above
specGcd the same TO be appropriated 70 the relief
Of ter families or given TO them when they are DIS
charged speaks OF rather free exercise Of the par
doung power. sud that t hasa bad effect or those
unfortunate who obliged TO out their ul term.
The cost per for officers provisions clothing and
iber expenses during 1858 was ss2 o. the earnings
,,- man ed 10 sS2 Qa good Exhibit OF figures
The insane asylum reports are interesting, aud the
Of The institution at Taunton say that some prac
tcal method Of providing for the employment OF tie
sa,e is very desirable as means Of promoting their
mental and bodily health. At the Taunton asylum the
experience the treatment Of persons addicted 10 the
excessive use Of opium alcoholic smulaus instruct
Tae immediate and total disconuance OF the use
OF the narcotic or smuant is found to be the safest
coursc OF treatment and that which gives the most sas
factory result in all cases Tins Is contrary the opinion
who advise gradual dimnuton OF the quantity
from of the effects Of long established habits Among
the causes Of insanity at TINS institution II is observed
that intemperanee stands at the mead OF tine list.
Of $50 ~ Taunton, lo have been received during
the year table given 20 show that 90 per the
reccveries occurred in patients who had been in
sane less year. But considerable number Of
the pat 10 years aud the utmost caution should be ex
ercsed prououncing protracted case ncurable aud
In abandoning the most likely To lead 10 reSOra
ton The medical treatment at these establishments
Che been generally indorsed in the general
practice Of the past 40 yearsthe idea being that
santy is essentially disease OF debility The average
nunCer Of patient. at these institutions d91g te yesr
The humber Of persons admitted to the State aims
hcnses dutng the year 5,o24 They have been con
Quoted in he usual manner, and arc all IN hourshing
The syera 20 number in the State Reform School at
Westborough S25 The trustees state that the price
$50 cents per week. charged by the state 10 the various
institution has ledi the authorities to send boys TO the
Reform school who should have gone 10 the p0orOuses
They DO not send them TO the latter place because it
would cost more than 30 cents per week to keep the
reduce expenses The moral and physical condi.
tiOn OF the boys has been the as usual and the
pIDducts Of tho farm have been considerable.
The State Industrial School for girls contains i57 in
mates who have been occupied with their studies.
Ink, etc. The number OF commitments has been
small because town authorities required 10 collect $25
year from the parents or guardian " girl
the Institution In where J recovery Of SIS is
doubtful the girls sent TO Jail by Justices through tho
Intervention Of the town authorities That the inmates
not lazy indOlent may be seen from this daily
programme, which is gwen Ia the report A Nj As
tcnen girls ise 5.l5, family girls lncluded) rise; g.
breakfast 63O. morning worship ID chapcl 2 work: 10
recess lO@ Work; ll30 dinner II, work; 1890 recess
h-1;l5 preparation for school q SCHOOL 30 recess
b5 school; recess; $50, supper g. work; g. evening
worship: $50, retire.
The report o. the trustees tho state Nautical School
(Which includes two ships with officers and Instructors
Tor sac SLOWS that the number Of during 1868
Vas o' ana that 2sl remained Oh tie first Of December
Ahe trustees thus allude 20 the visit Of the immortal
Boz IA tho early part OF the year:
AS 1shal we have received many yiss especaliV at
sne George M Barnard, from distinguished strangers
1he Visit or Charles Dickens Of peculiar interest 10
as as well as 70 him. His volunteer speech BOYS iust
20 an Tie good yOu cam and don't make any fuss about
W mas become household word In connection With
ths VISIT II may be well TO say That ia this vicinity visits
70 charitable and correctional institutions are 40 asso
cated with ideas Of profuse hospitality that the mention
f such occasion calls up IN many minds visions ~
rs Mr Dickens made is generally followed by newspaner
buechs upon tine schOosbip IS an expensive show con
tDg ana drinking the chief objects the ustuton
we only w.eh that those who have this idea could skarc
khe simple pleasures Of such visits. They would SEQ no
hpehutufe except that Of muscle and breath la rowing
tns oOhls hpd IN singing hymns"
twenty Of the boys committed 20 this institution dur
1Is snl lss M were c0iored boys who came mostly from
Ster cest adrft away. They were without edu.
n ~ ~oh ey caine and their progress been about
ordinary branches OF learning and when eradnoted
Ley are practical seamen with sufficient kntNledge t9
short s vs,n 70 become hrstcass ship masters with
s'yts III ehte,,ience ~, IN positions OF authority.
~ ~ 1asda on flo Uo.y n..r