The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-11
A HOME FOR INEBRIATES.
WHERE FRESH AIR AND FARMING
LIFE MAY DO coon.


The State Rcformatorv Farm OF Rhode
Isiond-A Pleasant Place for Unfortunate
1nebriates-Where n Change WIS Needed.
Providence, Aug. 0.-About four miles
from this city is the Rhode Island State Farm.
1t is beautifully situated on elevated land COM
manding view OF Narragansett bay. The State
Farm was Intended originally as a place to which
inebriates frequently convicted in the courts
might be sent for reformation and recreaton
II Is four hundred acres In extent. To the insti-
tuition for drunkards, opened in 1859. have been
added an asylum for the incurabie pauper In
sane and an almsho use for the poor. A model
State prison, to take the place OF the structure
that disgraoes tho heart OF Providence city, is
being built a few hundred yards To the east Of
the other institutions, from which 1t will be en-
tirely distinct.
1t seems impossible to i'm seine any course Of
treatment more likely TO cure the confirmed In
ebriste than that practissd at the Farm. Some
Of the wealtbiest and oldest families have sent
relatives to tho place, after all other efforts to
reform them had failed, and In not few in
stances the results have been decidedly crafty
ing. The delirlous drunkard Is placed In close
confinement, fed on nourishing food. and de-
MED all stim ulants. After he has somewhat re-
covered strength and become clear headed. he
IL nut to light employment indoors, and after
ward to farm WORK, or to such skilled LABOR as
ne unuebtanua. Every Able-bOdled Inmate, OF
either sex, must work, and work Ia found to be
the most beneficial part OF their treatment, es-
pecially as II Is accompanied by clanking
chains and degrading and conspicuous attire,
like the tiger stripes of Blackwen's Island.
Drunkards, vagr ints, street walsers. and COM
mon 'olds are sentenced TO the State Farm, and
the association, although the sexes are kept (or
Intended to be kept) str 'tly apart, has unques-
tionabiy bad effect upon the nrst named class.
Atout three years ago YOung man OF respect
able family was sent to the STATE farm. He was
honest and honorable, and good necuanic.
his only fault being frequent intoxlc.tion. At
| the farm he formed the Acquaintance OF stree
walker, whom no afterward married. The union
was brief and unhappy. and the wife was soon
| Many Inc priates have gone forth from the In
stitution thoroughly reformed, and nave with
| stood all temptations TO return to their cups.
Although the Institution II costly there has
been no complaint regarding the money ex-
Although thousands OF persons are engaged
In the liquor business In the State, only Two sa-
| loon keep ers have ever been committed To the
State farm, the total number Of persons conhn-
| ed there since its foundation being over tw o
| thousand. Ireland has furnished over one thou
| States while from the wine and beer drinking
Germans-of whom there are many In Rhode
Isltnd-there was only one prisoner In January,
aud there had been only eight altogether.
| The Iandholdine distinctions that disngure
the suffrage system Of Rhode Island are carried
even into the poor laws, the paupers who have
owned real estate being granted privileges OF a
settlement that are denied to those who have
been less fortunate: No person, whether born
| In the State or out Of II, can be admitted TO an
asylum In any town or city unless he has paid
taxes on at least t200 worth OF real estate
over and above all encumbTancep Ihe
magnificent Dexter Asylum, situated in tho
most .ristooratic p IT Of Providence, IL tenanted
| by only cx-llndholGers and tier families. and
| all Others are consigned to tho state Almshou
| at the State Farm.
| Previous to the foundation OF the State Aims
house, the treatment OF the poor IN many Of
the towns was shocking In 1873 MIR. Wtgntrnan,
| SUPERINTENDENT Of STATE Charities anu CprreC-
| ton, made "A tour through the several counties.
| ana investigated the condition OF the paupers.
| Eight OF the towns had no asylums, and IN sew
| erdl places the unfoitunates were boarued out
| to whoever would take care Of them FIR the
| least money In the Smthheld poorho use tnree
| persons were supported at nexpelse OF Sl31 50,
| less than $50 eacn. In Gloucester twelve were
| supported for $156 Is. In North kngstown
| three were suppOrted for Sl25 wear, and IN
| North Providence, one Of the best asyIuas.
$40 40 was eked out for the sustenance OF twenty
paupers. The persons to WHOM tho poor were
farmed tried to make IA much profit as they
lest OF fare
The opening Of the State Asylum has relieved
| the towns, and improved tue condition " the