The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-01-10

sept 80 last SGT boys This is an increase Of
Is over last year, and - over 1870 The
superintendence Of the school seems 10 have
ment good The escapes have teen few,
although the removal of bars and bolts make
the opportunities many. The boys have been
organized into military company and fur
nished by the State with arms and accouter-
il with a Keen relish. The Board Of Control
estimate the ordinary expenses for the coming
two years at SIS, $50 per year. They also ask
a special appropriation Of $27, 5S75l, the items
of which viii be found in their report
REFoRMAToRY FOR GIRLS
The subject of u reformatory for girls, to be
placed exclusively under the direction and con-
troll of women, has engaged the public atten-
ton The success of similar institutions
founded in other States has created q convic-
ton than one might be established to good ad-
vantage here. That il would be useful in saw
ing many girls who have started on vicious
courses from lives of vice and immortality can
not doubt
II you shall be satisfied that the number OF
dissolute girls in the State of criminal tendency
is, or is likely to be, sufficient to make such an
institution a necessity, then steps toward the
undertaking would seem wise. L doubt, how
ever, the policy Of creating such such establish
ment with the design of making it partly ref
uge for INDECENT or truant girls who have no
criminal proclivities. Experience shows that
institutions are not always the best places for
the training of young persons. The tendency
is TO destroy self reliance and self help elements
of character neces sary to success in life Be-
sides, the mixing Of these classes with the de-
PRAYED and vicious would serve to corrupt them
and result in more harm than good. II is for
you to consider the subject in all its bearings,
and, while carefully avoiding any needless mul-
tiplication of State institutions, TO make such
hal ha al
FISH CULTURE
A large number of fish have been Matched
and transplanted in the different waters of the
State through the agency Of the fish-hatching
establishments in Detroit and Pokagon. The
Commissioners claim that the work has proved
a success The protection of fish is an import
ant matter, and earnest exertions should be
made to secure through Congress q uniform
regulation to prevent the destruction which
seems likely If pursued to wholly clear many of
our waters of this choice article Of food.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL
The State Public School is a charity peculiar
to Michigan. In no other State ia there an in
sttution like it that am aware of. 1t aims 10
prevent pauperism and crime by removing chill
dren from the corrupting and communicating as
socIations of the poor-house and placing them
where they may be prepared for good homes
and useful lives The whole number of chill
dren in the school on the Both day of Septem-
Der last was 3l3 The current expenses for
1877 were $50, 49,. ~, and for 1875 So, CAS- o..
The per- capita cost for each child during the
last year was SSl.6l. The school has been
run within the appropriations, and ap-
parently in prudent and careful manner.
The board asks an appropriation of $4,000 for
current expenses for the ensuing two years,
with an addition of $1,000 for sundry items
specified in the report II also asks authority
to buy some sixty acres of land for pasturage
and other purposes, and suggests that provi-
sion be made for the employment by the insti-
tuition of visiting agent, whose duty it shall
be 10 seek out homes for the children and 9TH
erwise look after their interest. The further
suggestion is made that quite number of the
children suffer from chronic disease and re-
quire medical treatment or surgical aid, and
that measures should be taken to have it fur
nished at the State Hospital at Ann Arbor.
MICHIGAN ASYLUM.
During the biennial period Just passed the
Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo has pro-
vided treatment for 133 patients. The daily
average for the same time has been Gas. In
August last 2,22 were transferred to the Eastern
Asylum. This transfer relieved the institution
from the crowded condition under which ii had
been laboring for long time previous. The
whole number of patients on the LIST day of Oc-
tober last was 497. The receipts from all sour
ces during the two years have been S3O3,
394 63, and the disbursements 5000, 400 %, leav-
in the treasury, Sept 80 s2,245.64
DR.. Z. II. Van Deusen, who has faithfully de-
voted many of the best years of his life to the
management of the asylum, has resigned the
place of Medical Superintendent and has been
succeeded by DIR. George X. Palmer, who has
served for many years an assistant, Some
time since an action for false imprisonment was
brought against the Superintendent of this
asylum by person who had been taken and
kept for time in the institution by the direc-
ton of one of the superintendent having
charge of the poor in county of the State.
The case involves important questions pertain
ing to the determination of iunacy, the charac-
ter of patients entitled 10 be admitted to the
asylum, and the forms requisite to warrant
their detention 1t is now pending in the Su-
preme Court, and its decision may make some
revision of the law in this regard necessity
EASTERN ASYLUM.
The Eastern Asylum for the Insane is COM
pleted. 1t is substantially built, and pleasantly
located near the city OF Pontiac, and has capa-
city for 400 lunatics
II was constructed at cost af s4iS, 401. So,
and its arrangements and equipments are such
IA to furnish the most approved means and APP
pliances for the treatment of persons afflicted
with the terrible disease of insanity The build
ing reflects credit upon the Commissioners and
the Superintendent who have had its construc-
ton in charge.
constituted the Commissioners, with the adj
dition of ex-Gov. Baldwin, trustees for the
management of the asylum, and they selected
DR. Henry NJ Hurd, of Kalamazoo, as Medical
Superintendent.
It was opened for the reception of patients
on the LIST day of August last, and has received
by transfer from Kalamazoo 222, and from
other sources 81 inmates. With its we'll
arranged conveniences, and its score of skilled
physicians, the institution must accomplish
good results The Board of Trustees ask an
appropriation for 1879 and 1880 aggregating
s53, $50 ~, full details of which may be found
in their report
EDUCATION.
The Superintendent of Public instruction has
furnished me with the following
SCHOOL STATISTICS
1877. 1878.