New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-05
MASSACHUSETTS, CHARITIES,


TON STATISTICS. ...
(FRoN Az ocCAsIOshL CORRESPONDENT or mr. i'",o'''
Bo,roN, March 3l.-ln respect TO its chafi-
ties ana public institutions Massachusetts mas o"k
claimed to take the lead In the United sta'es' NO"
York may Justly dispute her prominence IN 'ow' 40
partments but In other valuable features her inS'u
tons are peculiar and she has tho honor OF Dehs tno
pioneer In many corrective and reformatory measures
Tho accumulated experiences OF years OF state admins
traiion have been used by many other younger otaa'
Nearly every year Witnessed somo Improvements III po'
system.
The Ninth Annual Report OF the Massachusetts Board
OF state Charities will be presented 10 the Legss'uro
tomorrow. / send an abstract In advance VI
publication here. The report abounds In use
full statistical Information upon tho subject
OF public charity and valuable hints for the guidance
OF those who may have the Immediate management OF
charitable institutions The Secretarys report pees
with an enumeration of the defective oasses-the Dnu
the deaf mutes tho idiots and the insane-and an est
mate Of their number, made up from tho most trust
worthy sources, according to which they reach inc
formidable number of 5 This presented rather as an
1t Is morally certain that Massachusetts
contains 5000 defeotyes IL Ia probable That the
real number is 1000. Vermont STANDS seconu
among communities with regard to the average length
of life among people, and Massachusetts, ranks near
her. that In spite OF the high average number OF de-
fectyes found In Massachusetts, there Ia no reason Tor
With the improving standard OF general
health shown by increasing longevity there must Dc
smaller oidefectives born TO each generaIDn'
Tx DEFECTIVE CLASSES.
Tho report treats at length tho causes OF the ex
sence of classes of detectives. As general rule, they
come of families which the stock is vtated and en-
feebed In no class OF persons the marks OF bered
tary influence striking than in that Of detectives
The report OF the Massachusetts school states that out
OF 40 cases OF congenal idocy which were examined
information was obtained respecting the condition OF
the progenors OF $50 In all these $50 cases save only
four was found that oneiOr the other or both Of the
progenitors mad in some way widely departed
from the normal condition Of health. One particular
Of yhaOn OF the stock is the social evil but the
most apparent is the habtual use OF alcoholic
| liouors Tho reports OF hospitals for lunatcs al
| most universally show intemperance as one OF
| the causes which predspose mans offspring
| TO insanity. This IL more stril1ngy mani
tested in the case of congental diocy. Smpe idiocy
ia raro condition. Its most striking form Is that IN
which the brain absolutely too small to exercise
governing influence any other than the functions
OF nutrition aud the animal instincts. The superntend'
ent tho school for idiots asserts that for ono such case
there many which the brain Is Of adequate size
performs its functions feeby as indeed large pro-
portion OF those OF idiots arc really not wanting
IN mental action, but lacking the power Of combining
and regulating thought. They come generally from
class OF families which seem 10 have degeneated phys
cally low degree The record Of thehassaohnsetts
parents admitted be drunkards, while more than half
Of tho whole number OF prOgeDOrs given TO strong
drink but not acknowledged drunksrds The general pol
icy OF the state with regard to detectives is wise and
benefcent 1t contrasts strongly with that OF the
ancient States which allowed and even encouraged their
exposure and destruction and from that of some mod
ern Ones where they left entirely burdens upon
families in which they born The mode adopted IN
to extend aid and assistance to three Of
the Sc casses-the blind deaf mutes and idiots-s
culiar and in many respects advantageous Individuals
unte under OF incorporation, raise funds, erect
buildings, and organize institutions for the instruction
and training of the several classes during certain nnm
Der years. the end Of which inmates are discharged
to make their way life Such schoosare in life
asylums. They under the charge OF boards Of rus
tees appointed part by the corporation and in part by
the Governor. The Legislature makes an annual appro
prstion in favor Of each Of the institutions In regard
10 the fourth class OF defectyesthe nsane-the state
acts though rather loosely, upon the principle that she
is the guardian Of all adult unatcs and ihas established
public hospitals which they be treated aud cared
for at Il moderate cost.
DEAFMUTEs, BLIND AND INSANE.
At this time the deafmutes Of Massachusetts enjoy
advantage over those OF any other state Those who
seem we'll fitted 10 be taught by the system OF arttcula
ton and LIP reading, TO hold communication with
society by audible words and sentences, be sent at
the expense OF the State TO tho Clark Institution a
Northampton Those who prefer TO be instructed under
the French method and to use visible signs instead OF
spoken words DO sent 10 the institution at Hartford
Conn Those who live in Boston or its vicinity can DO
taught in the school established by the city as branch
OF ts common school system. They will have the in
estmable advantage living home, and receiving all
their education except mere school instruction. under
the ordinary and wholesome influence Of family and
| neighborhood.
With respect to the blind the State endesyOrs to aid
this class OF detectives by two Observation-Disclosures one
| md he of her n al
pration Of 5000 is made from the general treasury to
the Massachusetts, Eye and Ear Inirmary The Perkins
institution the blind under charge OF DIR. Samuel g.
Hows receives $4,000, 1t gives instruction grstuously
to all blind children belonging to Massachusetts who
recommended by the Governor. Many children come
from other states and pay for tuition There one in
stituon the State for the training OF idiots TO which
pupils are also sent by tho States Of Maine and Rhode
Island. The results most satisfactory though there
il no basis for a comparison between American and
| European institutions.
There has been for apparent increase in
the number OF the at public charge in Massachu
ses But there Is sufficient evidence 20 warrant the
conclusion that insanity Is positively increasing among
our native population. The tide OF mmg grafton brings
along with 1t an undue proportion OF the defective class
generally. and probably OF the insane. The growing
belief that insanity is disease, often curable especially
in It's early stages leads many more TO seek committa
than formerly The Board thinks that II hospital
we're built for 800 inmates 1t would be filled in a
short time and 900 would demand admission before
the end Of the year. The Board is unanimously of opin
ion that accommodations for the insane Ia Massa
| chusetts are now needed.
PROVISION FOR CHILDREN.
thread OF tender regard for children through
the legislation OF Massachusetts which is creditabe to
the humanity OF our lawmakers This may be traced in
general provision for instruction of all children, and
In careful provision for special for the protec
ton OF special classes, that were practically deprived
OF parental guardianship Previous the organization