Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-03
Published March 81. 1871.1
CHAPTER 136-GENERAT,

AN ACT to organize a state board of charities and
arr- reform.
The people of the state of Wisconsin represented in
senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section l.. To the end that the administration of
public charity and correction may be conducted upon
Sounu principles OF economy, Justice and humanity,
and that the relations eAisng between tne state and
nnde stood aere is hereby created state board of
charities and refo5m
bers who shall be appointed by the and sh II
hou til cir offices ior the term o. five and until
thai at the first appointment tle OF one member
shall be fixed fo yea- of another two years, of
Of the other for five years Wien any vacancy shall
in the board by resignation, death any other
cause, the governor shall appoint a new member TO
serve for the residue o: the unexpi-ed term.
o stsse s days Ia asr their
pointment to organize and transact such other busi-
visions Of this act 1hey shall tetwa meet in oc
tobe- be sore the 18TH day. and in January
such other meetings as they nay decide upon.
Sec. 4. The board shall appoint araiiied elector
and books Of the board TO prepare such papers to
make uch visits and to in sucl researches and
board He s1a hold lis Office tor three years, Unless
see Il ss be ses & the board to
gate and superV. whole system o. the charitable
o. eeeiving aid flom te state treasury, y personal
visits such, xxi themselves fami lar with all
use illness md os s2e honesy and economy Of their
management; and it snail also be their duty TO rec
they may deem necessary for their greater economy
Sec s. ie ial be the further duty of the board to
commence anG conduct course of investigation into
vne n9 po9r e IN nne state
'ow many persons OF each sex are therein
stances IS 20 health comfort and good morals; how
many insane persons therein confined, and whether
such arrangements made Cor their care human
ity demands; also many idioie persons there
in supported; also how many poor children the said
their suitable care and education They shall also
collect stats les as 20 he number of the poor who
pr1hc expense out zide of houses, the cost at
support or fee IS and by
shall al inquire to what extent the provisions o. he
Piled w56 and in general they saii seek to collect
such facts may throw light upon the adequacy and
relief Of the poor and any opersng in
crease or diminish the amount OF paaperism in the
Sec. T. 1t shall De the further duty of the board to
commence and 10 lduct curse of investigation in
other places in the state in which persons convicted
ed ascertaining by visit otherwise, their sanitary
condition their arrangement for the separation o.
hardened criminals rom Juvenile offenders and from
persons suspected of crime detained as witnesses
prisoners, whether the insane are treated with due
regard for humanity and what efforts are put forth
for the reformation of criminas and in general they
shall endeavor to ascertain for the information of the
legislature, any important facts or considerations
bearing the hest treatment of criminals and the
Sec. g. The boar shall have full power at all times
TO look into and examine the condition of the instu
lions and establishments referred to in this act, TO in
luire into and examine their method of treatment in
struction governme Mt, and management of their in
mates, the official conduct of trustees managers dl
rectors, superintendents and other officers and EN-
ployes of the same the condition of the buildings
GROUNDS and other property connected herewith ano
into all other matters pertaining to their usefulness
and good management, and for these purposes they
shall have free to all parts of the grounds and
buildings and to all books and papers of said instu
ton and establishment; and all persons now or here
after connected with the same are hereby directed
and required to give either verbally or in writing, al
the board may direct such nforma and to AFFORD
such facilities for inspection as the board may re
quire ~ nj ~ 1H-s
Secs. On or before the first da of December .ir
each year. the board shall present to the governor
report of their proceedings and of their expenses un
der this act Said report shall contain concise
statement of the condition of each of the charitable
and correctional institutions supported by the state
receiving aid from the state treasury together witt
their opinion of the appropriations proper TO be mad
for each for the following year. 1t shall also embod
Inc results of their Investigations during the
regard to the support of the poor and the treatment
criminals; and shall also contain information
suggestions recommendations which they ms,
choose to present upon the matters by this assign
sd to their supervision and examination Three thou
sand 3O00} copies Of this report shall be printed
he state printer IN the same manner ae those of tn