The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-01-10

necessity for establishing Norma
Schools, it has occurred to me a
, possible that one or both of thesl
Institutions might be made avail
able for that purpose. At a join
meeting of the Alumni and Trustees
of the Ohio University, held last Ju
lly, a resolution was passed request
ling the General Assembly to eonsid-
er the propriety of adding a Normal
Department, to be supported BY the
State. Possibly the funds of these
two Universities might be united, so
as to afford support for one while the
other could be made a Normal
School, supported entirely by the
State. At all events. these Institu-
tions must have immediate and sub
stantial assistance or they will die,
and that very soon.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Agriculture College will at no
distant day, be ready for the admis-
sion ofstudents. Generous Srovis-
ion has heretofore been made for it
but the fostering care of the
State, whose child it is, viii be re-
quired for some years to come. It
is expected that the State will extend
the same iberality to this that she
does to her charitable institutions.
The Agricultural and Mechanical
College should be something more
than a model farm, illustrating the
art of cultivating the soil, and the
methods Of improving breeds of
stock, If this shall be the limit of
its ambition, few young men viii re-
sort to it, and these, 1T is feared,
without great profit. Its founda-
tions should be laid broad and deep,
and within its walls should be taught
the principles which underlie all the
industrial, liberal and ornamental
arts. Its curriculum should be so
extended that young men may there
be educated for all the ordinary
walks Of life. fit shall be dedicat-
ed under a generous system, and
conducted in the right way, it will
soon attract donations from liberal
and public-spirited men-Will be an
honor to Ohio and a blessing to our
people. If we fix low standard,
and are content with small results,
it were better that the peoples mon
ey were expended in some other and
more profitable way. 1t is not, Of
course, expected that the College
shall be, when it opens, all that we
hope for it finally; it is not likely
that all its departments will at once
be put in successful operation. But
let it be started with the intention of
making it, ultimately, a grand State
University, whose instructions shall
be thorough and comprehensive.
INSANE AsYLUKs.
There exists a very pressing and
urgent necessity that immediate pro
vision be made for the confinement
and care Of our insane people.
Within little more than four years
two Of the State Asylums have been
destroyed by fire. The new build
ing at Athens will not be ready for
the reception of patients before Sep
tember or October of this year, and
the one at Columbus not before two
years from this time. The central
portion Of the Newburg Asylum
mustbe rebuilt and the wings cover
ed with a new roof. This work will
occupy at least one year. In the
meantime, we have in the State to-
day insane persons enough to I'LL all
these Institutions when completed,
and four hundred in excess. Many
of these unfortunate men and wo-
men are now confined in jails, infrm-
aries and work-houses, or receiving
such inadequate care as it is posi-
BILE for friends to bestoW at their
own homes. Some immediate relief
must be afforded, or there will be
great suffering. 1t has been found
impossible to secure for temporary
occupation and use any building
which was regarded as suitable and
safe. The only one offered for rent
was the Nef House at Yellow
Springs, which, with an outlay of
twenty-five or thirty thousand dol
lars, exclusive Of the cost of furni-
ture, could be made ready for the
accommodation Of four hundred and
twenty-five patients. This property
is offered for rent, upon a five years
lease, for fifteen thousand dollars
per annum. 1t could, undoubtedly,
be obtained at a much less price.
But it is frame structure, designed
for a summer hotel, and it would, as
/ think, be exceedingly hazardous
to fill it with demented persons,
many ofwhom have already had the
experience of two fires, and whose
crazed minds are filed with 8 wild
glee at thought Of the excitement
attendant upon great confagration.
In the light of past experience, it is
objectionable if the insane are con-
fined in any other than buildings as
nearly fire proof as they can be
made. Thele are brick buildings at
Circleville and Alliance which can be
purchased, but not rented, and
which could be made safe. 1t is
possible there are others in the
State. This subject should, hOWev-
er, receive the immediate attention
of the Legislature.
In rebuilding the Newburgh Asy-
lum, and in finishing those at Col
umbus and Athens, great care should
be taken to guard against fire. 1t is
believed that the present design of
the new buildings even, does not
make them fre-proof, or as nearly so
as possible. And it is certain that
the Dayton Asylum needs very con-
siderable change to render itreason-
ably secure. Plans and estimates
of cost will be furnished by the
Trustees of the NeWburgh and Day
ton Asylums, for rebuilding and
changing these Institutions in ac-
cordance with the present require
ments.
CONTRACTS FOR THE ERECTION OF PUB
Lie BUILDINGS.
You are requested to consider
whether the pre- ant law, under which
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