The New York herald., 1870-12-29
PUBLIC CHARITIES.
Abstract Of the Report OF the Commissioners Of
Charities and Correcton-The Work
OF the Past Year in Aiding and
Reforming the Needy.

The Commissioners OF Chaiuies and Correction
have almost completed their laAors for the CON-
monwealth for the year 1870, and will at an early
day lay before the proper authorities an official
record OF their proceedings. Below Wal be found
an abstract Of their report, which goes far 10 show
that the vast work which they have UNDER
taken to ameliorate the condition OF the
outdoor poor and lessen the misery OF
thousands OF unforluna,cs, as well as improve
the various institutions under their charge, has
been satisfactorily accomplished. The island instl.
tutions, together with those in the city, have in
many instances been enlarged anu improved by the
outlay Of considerable sums OF money from the APP
preparations made for the current year, and they
have spared no expense to make them models Of
their Kind.
THE NEW LuNATIc ASYLUM
on Wards Island, which has been under process OF
construction during the past two years. win be COM
pleted and opened Tor the reception or patients by
the last OF March or the first Of April, 1871. This
structure Will accommodate 1000 patients and has
been pronounced by commissioners IRON the diner
ent States sent to examine II, to be the best ar.
ranged Institution OF It's kind on the Continent.
Three hundred ana fifty thousand dollars has thus
far been expended on 1t.
THE iNEBRIArE ASYLUM,
also on Wards island has, under It's present eni-
cient resident physician, proved complete sue
cess, and the Commissioners have been SO far en-
conragcd that they have resolved to eXpend lew
thousand dollars upon it for various necessary i'm
provements.
THE SOLDIERS RETREAT,
q wise provision Tor wounded anu manned veterans
Of the war, is situated the east wing Of the build
ing. Here they have been provided with every
necessary comfort in their declining years, and on
each holiday provided with substantial dinner.
1t contains at tue present time between one ana
two hundred inmates,
TaE INFANTS HOSPITAL,
on Eandall's Island c0ntas, l63 fou ndllngs. These
waits nave been placed under the control Of expo
rlenced nations. and their healthy condition amply
aftests tie WISE foresight OF the Commissioners.
Their numbers are gradually increasing month by
month and without all Increase OF funds for It's
tenance the expenses Tor It's maintenance VIII have
" be considerably curtaiied.
THE scHOoISHIP MERCURY,
established for the training OF the youngsters OF
Gotham has, up to the present, proved u complete
Commissioners between n,e and FIX hundred lads
have been enrolled; out OF this number between
nlty and one hundred have been discharged by
reason OF sickness and for paltry lnisdcmeanors.
Their prorress IN seamanslip has been remarkable,
and il Il with pride that each member Of the Com
mission speaks OF their excellent enterprise.
10 afford tile lads al opportunity OF seeing some
OF the world ana TO improve other nautical lessons
the Mercury departed from this port about the
l5th iuS taut, under The command OF Captain Pierre
Giraud an experienced navigator, bound for tho
mouth OF ine Amazon. After cruising there short
June, 1871. -.
EXPENDITURES DURING 1870.
Tho commissioners have expended out of the ap-
propriations made ut tue commencement Of tile