Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-01-15

Inc Wisconsin STATE Hospital Tor the lnSdue
has had total OF $50 patients during the year,
the average having been $50, and the number un
der treament at the close of the year, 1893. The
expenditures have been Sl14, 443. so, nclus I'VE of
$1S, los 33 for repairs aud improvements The es
Inmates for the present year S120, $780, of which
S37 152 ID will be received from counties. ...
Milwaukee county has availed itself of the proyl-
sons of chapter 29S of the laws of 1878 and has
der contract asylum designed to accommodate $50
patients. With this building completed | antlcl,
pate that the pressure upon the state hospitals will
be so removed that most if not all, of the insane in
the state may be comfortably accommodated.
The expenditures of the institution for the educa-
ton of the blind have been Sl9,95O 81, including
81 5S2. 65 for completing building and grounds and
house furnishing. The average number of pupils in
attendance IT. and the total during the year 81.
The trustees ask appropriation of S1S,50U to en-.
able them to meet the expenses of the present year
At the Wisconsin Institute for the Education
of the Deaf and Dumb, $50 pupils We're enrolled.
and the average number in attendance was 140.
The expenditures were $29, 522, 45, and the truS'
tees ask an appropriation OF $4,000 for the
current year. t
In April last, various charges OF immoral and
rupt conduct, the part OF trustees and teachers
connected with this institute, brought to my
attention. and it became necessary that invesga-
ton into its management should be made. Accord
ngy at the request of its board of trustees who ex-
pressed desire that rigorous examination might
be had by disnteresed and impartial tribunal, the
State Board of Charities and Reform was directed to
make the investigation, and report the facts of the
case in full, as provided by law.
The investigation was made, and the report there
8,
factoIiy appears from careful perusa of this report
that the investigation was both thorough and impair
tial, and that the graves of the charges including
all those against the trustees, were proven to have
been unounded.
The general condition and management of the bus
mess and educational affairs of the institute
warmly, and as / believe, very justly commended.
A copy of this report was furnished to the local
board of trustees, who proceeded to make further in
quries in the premises. and upon mature considera-
ton dispensed with the further services of the stew
ard and reelected the superintendent. The mem
bers of this board are gentlemen of integrity and
good Judgment, who deservedly rank among
best citizens. 1t to me, therefore, but pru-
dent to let time and experience determine whether in
this matter they have acted wisely. L am fully per-
suaded that upon the first that the inter
ests of the school being jeopardized by any ac
tion of theirs, they Will unhesitatngly modify it as
the occasion may require.
AS required by law 1 have visited all the state in
snsttutions during the past year and take great
pleasure in saying that found them, each and ALL
in most excellent order and apparently answering
the ends for which they were established and are
maintained. They are without exception, credit
to the state and entitled to your continued confidence
and liberal support.
1t will be conceded I think that the state of Wis
eonsin is doing most noble and humane work for
all its unfortunate classes; but there remains, and
ever must remain, ample opportunity for private
charity and benevolence. 1t is impossible as it is
undesirable for the state to usurp the functions of
the citizen in this behalf; and, therefore, it is
source of just pride and tends to faith
in ivzation and human nature, to find that des-
pite the large SUNS paid into the public treasures
for these purposes, many most successful institutions
for the care and education of the dependent and
the list of institutions of this character heretofore
existing there has recently been added, in Mil wau
kee, school designed especially for teaching deaf
mutes to speak. The success already attained IS
very satisfactory to its founders and gives promise u
great usefulness.
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM.
The report of this board Is not yet in print, and
have not been able to read it in manuscript have.
abors of the board for several years, and am fully
persuaded that it is accomplishing great good
throughout the state ...... .......
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. .. .
Investigations prosecuted by the several boards of
health in this and adjoining states. seem to prove
that nearly twenty-five per cent of the deaths occur
ring annually, from preyentable causes. The
state board of health in Wisconsin is work
ing with most conmendable zeal in investigating the
of disease in this state, and by circulars and
communications to the press, we'll as in its
nual reports, Is pointing out the dangers and en-
deavoring to teach the people how to shun them.
Whatever encouragement or help can be given to it
b. the legislature, should not be withheld.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The chief geoogist informs me that the work of
the geological survey, in the field the laboratory
and study has been diligently prosecuted during the
past that it is in advanced condition. and
may be closed in accordance with the provisions of
the law authorizing it, lie finds the work growing
and expanding in his hands, and to think
more time and money might profitaby be spent in
perfectng the survey About one half of the second
volume Of the final report, which will be known
Volume III, is now stereotyped, and the completed
volume will be ready for distribution in the spring.
If no further work should be authorized, it is
peCted that at least year of constant labor viii
be needed, after the time now provided by law for
closing the survey aud the cessation of salaries to
complete the publication ofthe report.
FISH CULTURE. r.r.
The appropriations heretofore made to facilitate
the artificial propagation of fish have been wisely
pended in preliminary work, aud the evidences that
may expect in due time to receive bountful
turns therefrom, are beginning to be in nearly
every part of the state. The city of Milwauke finds
it necessary to use for its purposes that portion
of its water works building heretofore used by the
state fish hatchery, and the commissioners
omme nd, in addition to the sum necessary for cur
rent expenses, appropriation for erecting build
ing to take the place of the premises they must sooE
yacate.
REVISED STATUTES.
The publication and distribution of the new re-
Vsed statutes were attended with some unavoid-
of the public. They are. think, both in form and
doubtedly INTERVIEWED Which may need CORRECTING,
butt trnst you will scrgtinze with unusual care all
the practice in courts, the methods of procedure
by administratiye ana executive officers The
respects and Will gladly accommodate themselves to
it as it now is. -.... ... .ti.
sd. INSURANCE SUPERVISION.
The creation of separate department char d
surance companies, and supervising this important
Ol DuSlIeSS III Iue interests auu the pro-
lection of the people, has resulted in very decided
benefit to the state and is looked upon with much
favor by all responsible ana fair dealing compan-
gies to the duties devolyed upon him. and in the
collection of back taxes and otherwise is saving to
the state very considerable sums of money.
.. RAILROADS.
From the report of the railroad commissioner it
appears that 81 Is miles of new railroad have been
constructed during the past year. making the total
lumber Of miles now in operation ss4 So Including
9397 miles of narrow gauge track. The total num-
Der of passengers carried was 925; increase
of 476 697 over last year. The tons OF freight
ried were 8 44S AGO. an increase of Ala l99 OF the
whole number of passengers carried only two were
killed and two injured-moSt gratifying evidence
that all the roads are managed and operated with
great care. The total absence of all serious COM
plant against railroads, shows most conclusively
that our present laWiS well suitedto the purposes
for which it enacted, and, under the Watchful
supervision of the commissioner, is being faithful
~ obeyed.
'.t SUPERIOR HARBOR. -.'< '.
The adverse decision of the supreme court of the
United States in the case of the State of Wisconsin
against the city of Duluth, brought for the pur-
pose of enjoning the defendant from diverting the
natural flow of water through the harbor Super
1Or and out through the mouth of the st. Louis
river, and thereby seriously lnjuring the harbor
redress and protection in congress. Our senators