Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-01-22

lions, aggregating So, ,166.00, are re-
quested. do not clearly understand.
from the report of the board, their
method of arriving at this sum, but you
will be able to determine the amount
required for actual necessities by ascer-
tanning the condition of their treasury
at the present time, and the probable
demands upon it for the current year.
At the Institution for the Education
of the Blind, 80 pupils were in attend
ance. The total expenditures were $780,
051.S0, of which SIS .623 04 were for cur
rent expenses, the average per scholar
being $207 .26. The estimates for the,
present year are SIS, 900 for current ex-
penses, and 81 200 for special improve
ments. The cost of salaries and wages
was Sc, 420. 81, and of subsistence, ST.
3S5.S7.
At the Institution for the Elacation
OF the Deaf and Dumb, 1S7 names were
fiscal year, with an actual attend
ance of 122, several of the younger
children having been returned to their
homes after the fire. The total disburse-
ments were $50 ,31S.50, ,ofw which 81, ,210 66
were for permanent improveme ents and
replacing articles lost in the fire. The
cost of salaries and wages was $12.-
363.69, and Of subsistence, Sc. .266 56.
The current expenses for the present
year are estimated at $50, 900.
Experiments are being conducted al
this institution in the articulate system
Of teaching, with most satisfactory re-
suits. Nearly one-third of the pupils
ave received instruction in the use Of,
the voice, and the progress made 4n-
fourages the trustees to continue Inc
~lstem.
1t is known to all that the main build
ing, erected by the state for the accom-
modatlon OF this institution, was totally
consumed by fire, September 16 1879
Fortunately the only loss was in the de-
structlon OF property and the temporary
inconvenience to the school. Imme-
olate y upon hearing of this disaster,
vent to Delavan, and there met the full
b ard of Trustees. The citizens of
Deiavan generously opened their houses
10 the homeless teachers and pupils,
ana their hospitality was accepted for a
time for the girls and some of their
teachers-the boys finding quarters in
the gymnasium and other buildings not
burned. Most of the furniture, cloth
ing of pupils, and school room appli-
ances had been saved, and it therefore
became practicable, at very moderate
expense, to fit up the buildings, not de.
stroyed, for temporary use, and keep
the school in progress. With my full ap-
probation this course was determined
on, and in fact the regular lessons were
omitted but for one day. An early
special appropriation should be made
to meet the expenses incurred in the
prosecution of this work.
have no special recommendations
to submit in regard to the future of
this institution. I assume that the
state of Wisconsin will continue to pro-
vide ample accommodations and ap-
pliances for the education OF its deaf
and dumb. The building or buildings
should be slammed with reference solely
to the uses for which they are intended,
and then they will be symmetrical and
in good taste. It does not need that
they should be surmounted by domes
or spires or towers, or that the accomo-
dations for teachers or pupils should be
palatial in any respect. The plans and
estimates should receive your careful
attentions and scrutiny.
Pending the erection Of buildings for
this institution, would recommerH ID that
such of the deaf and dumb children III
the state as cannot be accommodated
at Delavan, should be furnished in
struction and maintenance at the Pho
biological Institute in milwaukee,, at the
exnense of the state. This will furnish
instruction to those who need it, render
much needed assistance to one of the
youngest and most promising of our
private charities, and give an oppor-
tunity to test the respective merits Of
the two systems of instruction, the one
confined exclusively to the articulata
method, and the other combining both
the sign and articulate methods.
AS in preceding years, have visited
all the state Institutions during the
year, and most of them more than
once. The more familiar [ become
with the workings Of. each, the greater
is my interest in its special mission,
and the more am convinced that the
management of each is efficient and
faithful. l do not presume to judge Of
every detail of administration, nor to
inquire into all the reasons for appoint
ments and discharges. Boards of
management and control are clothed
with important responsibilities, and Of
necessity must be accorded a corres-
pondingly liberal discretion in the
choice of ways and means, and subor-
-dlnates. Uuquestionably, it is the duty
of the Governor to exercise such a
degree ofsupervlslon as may be nee
e3sary TO prevent mal-administration !;
but further than that he can.
not be expected to go. Some COM
plants in this direction have reached
me during the past year, and in every
such case havs deemed it my duty
to make, or cause inquiry to be made;
have sometimes advised with the local
board; and, had occasion required,
should have used the discretionary
authority confded to the Governor for
that purpose.
have every reason to believe that
the educational and charitable institu-
tions in the state, under private man.
agement and supported by private ben
efactors, are in all ways meeting the
just expectation of their founders and
promoters. They supplement and
complete the work which the state
Gun do only in part. There ought to
be, and / believe there is, cordial co.
operation between them and the state
Institutions.
The labors of the
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM,