The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-21
THE FEEBLE-MI
Fifteen Hundred Idiots In Penusyivania-Tbe
school for their Reiief-How they are Dis
trtbuted Among the Rich and the Poor.


Some time ago the annual meeting of the con-
tributors to the Pennsylvania Training School
for Feeble minded Children was held in this
city, when the statistics submitted were pub
lished in these columns. We have to-day re-
ceved the complete report, which has many
interesting paragraphs, and from which we take
a few
life, however distinguished; no family circle, how
ever carefully observant of all sanitary laws-that
can be exempt from the possible misfortune of hav-
ing feeble minded child to cast gloom upon it
when 1t is also considered that there is one such i'm
becie in every thousand; and that, besides the con-
slant distress which their presence OCCASION it
is.impOssibe to rear them advantageousy in the
society of those with vigorous inteleets-the neces
sity OF an institution for the exclusive care and
training Of this unfortunate grade OF mind must be
That all the children received into the wards OF this
establishment are rendered much more comfortable
than they could be az taei respective al homes ana
be enabled to earn livelihood, the experience Of
the past eighteen years aoundantly attests.
IL would be not simply an interesting but valua-
BILE fact to know the number of imbeciles in our
State Approximate estimates have been made, giv-
ing one to every thousand of populaton the census
OF PENNSYLVANIA recently made shows 3,500,000 in
habitants, of whom probably only 1900 will be re-
ported idotic or feeble minded. For obvious rea-
sons the census returns OF the insane and idlotic
are never likely to approach exactness or even half
truth and until more systematic method OF eX-
animation be adopted it is safer to base calculations
on the already established estimate of one to one
thousand inhabitants, which would give an imbecile
population in this State OF about $500.
No condition of society is exempt from this bale
u
wealthy family and deepens its sadness in the home
OF want. Comparing the estimated $500 persons of
feeble mind IN the State Of fPennsylvania with those
admitted to the institution since is53 the following
computation is made, which must nearly approxi-
mate the truth as 70 the nnancal on sofa standng
ability to furnish support 6O4 are in families able
and willing to pay hal1-support: 1913 are IN poor
families unable to pay for support away from home,
vet unwilling to relieve themselves of painful
burden by casting their children into almshouses
$50 are in homes degraded by vice and lntemper-.
ance, or are at public expense in almshouses
FLORAL. DISPLAY AT HoRTIcULTURAL HALL.
The second monthly exhibition of the Horti-
cultural Society will be he held in the hall this
evening. Florists, gardeners, fruit growers are
requested by the managers 10 observe that the
premium list has been greatly increased. The
monthly exhibitions are hereafter to be rendered
attractive to the public by means of suitable
decorations and music, and TO make the eXhibi.
ton fashionable evening promenade for ladies
and gentlemen, the admission is free. The
prizes to be awarded this evening are as fol-
lows
Table Design for the best. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS s.
by another exhibitor, second best. 8
Basket OF Cut Flowers for the ,S best; xr,,,,o
Hand Bouquets, pair for the best ..............8 8
~ r" by another exhibitor, second
Hanging Basket, for the best
by another exhibitor, second
Collection Of i2 Plants in bloom, for the best ;;.
by another exhibit
AZaleas, plants, varieties, for the best.
by another exhibitor,
Cameias, l2 cut flowers, named varieties for the
Cameas IL cut dowers, named varieties, by
another exhibitor, second best......,......... 2
Cameas plants In pots, for the best .......,.. 8
" collection named varieties, for the best.
American Seeding, shown for'1st time,
Tor the best. ........,...................
Cinerariss specimens, not over in pots, for the
Hyacinths in glasses or pots, IL varieties in bloom,
Pansies, plants in pots for the best
Apples, collection FOR the best. t................
Caullh0Wers, heads, for the best.
Lettuce, heads for the best. st................., 1
Radisbes, "a roots, for the best ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. /
Cucumbers, specimens for the best. ............
Mushrooms, IL specimens for the best .......... /
Asparagus, "a stalks for the best ....." ". ". l
Rhubarb, l2 stalks, for the best Observation-Disclosures. /
Coal OFFICE ENTERED.-This morning. be-
tween IL and ] o'clock, the Office attached to
the coafyard of Ellis Branson, at Eighth and
Willow streets, was entered by thief or thieves,
who knocked out panel of the door. In the
Office they found saw and without taking
time to unlock the drawers of the desk, they
sawed OIL the front part of that article of furni-
ture. After scattering bills around the floor
they departed, securing nothing but a few
brass checks and some tools which they took
from the yard
LARCENY OF WATcH.-Frank Lewis held q
conversation with a man at Third and South
streets yesterday. The talk must have beer
exceedingly metaphysical, for that individual
allowed Frank TO pilfer watch from his pocket
The thief was arrested at Third and Bainbridee
streets, and Alderman Lutz has sent him K
prison. -.
WILL PROBABLY DIE.-Washington Smith
shot on Friday evening last by a party named
Wilson, is sinking so rapidly that his death j