Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-20

ium has been completed during the
year, and embodies the best results of
recent experience in all matters nor
tanning to hospital construction In
general appearance, convenience of ar
rangement. perfection of heating and
ventilation, and in utilization and go
Omy of space, it is not surnassed -,
any institution IN the country. twas
opened Tor the reception of patients
March 70, 1ooU, since which time 245
different persons have received traot,
nient, the daily average being l85. The
cost of maintenance, exclusive of ali
repairs and furnishing, has been SD
SO 46, an average of s. 903 per week
for each patient The trustees dc not
expect that this average can be main
tanned through the year, or for series
of years.
1t is estimated by the board of
trustees that this asylum will accomo-
date 800 patients. Upon this basis
there Is now provision, in Wisconsin,
for the treatment and care of not less
than /, 400 insane persons in first class
hospitals. This is at the rate of one
for every $50 of population, and if
.ludlciously used, ought to be amply
sufficient for all our present necessi-
ties.
At the institution for the education
of the deaf and dumb. the buildings
provided for by the law enacted last
winter have been erected and will be
found well adapted to the purposes of
I
from the building fund was S49,549.51,
from the current expense fund $4S,475.-
68, including in the latter sum S15, 454.-
49 for repairs and permanent improve
ments and s., 060 for the house fur
nlshIng. The greater part of the ex-
pendltureS embraced in these last
mentioned sums was made necessary
by the fire ia 1879, and is covered by
the special appropriation of last
winter. The amount paid for salaries
and wages was 2,80143, and for sub
slstence $9,0G0.34. The whole number
OF pupils enrolled during the year was
1915, of whom loo were in attendance
September 80, 1880. The estimates
Tor the current year are based upon
an assumed average attendance of 175
pupils, and amount to $34,5OO.OO for
current expenses, and $12,050.0O for
various purposes as set forth in their
report. In addition to the recommen-
datlOns made by the trustees, | suggest
that 1t would be eXpedient to appro-
pirate a sum sufficient to paint the
shingle roofs of the buildings and pro-
vide pipes, hydrants and hose for pro
lection against fire. have been much
interested in the printing office con-
nected with this institution, which is
becoming an important branch of its
industrial department. It now greatly
needs some additions to its material,
and | believe a small appropriation
may very properly be made for this
purpose.
At the institution for the education
of the blind, the total number of pu-
pills enrolled was SO, with an attendance
of II, October 31-the close of their
fiscal year. The fiscal year of this in
stltutlon does not correspond with the
states fiscal year, and if any discrep-
ancies should be found between their
accounts and the tables published by
the secretary of state, this fact NAV
account therefor. The current ex-
penses of the twelve months ending
Octsber 81 were ST., 8OO.74, of which
sum SIS, 455.O7 were paid for salaries
and wages, and $4,133.19 for subsist-
ence. The estimates for the current
year are, for current expenses, $17, 300
and for Improvements and repairs,
81, 200, for which sums, less 81, 800 for
cash on hand, the trustees ask appro-
priations.
have, in obedience to my own in
clinations, as well as in compliance
with law, visited all the state institu-
tiOns during the year, and, without ex-
ceptlOn, found them in most excellent
condition and order. The health and
comfort of their inmates are well pro-
vided for, and, in those devoted to ed
ucation, the proficiency and progress
of the scholars is altogether satisfac-
tory.
1t is the duty of the
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM
to set forth in their report their opin-
ion of the appropriations proper to be
made for each of the charitable and
correctional institutions supported or
aided by the state. This, / have no
doubt, the board will do, in the report
which will soon be laid upon your
desks, and thereby..you will be greatly
aided in arriving at just conclusions as
to the several sums necessary to be ap-
propriated. I have frequently com
mended the labors of this board By
| visits to jails and poor-houses, as well
as to the state charitable and cOrec-
tional institutions, they become fami-
liar with the practical workings of the
various laws enacted for the relief of
suffering and the repression and pun
ishment of crime; and by judicious adj
vice and timely warnings they succeed
in remedying many evils which other
wise might become public scandals.
Their report for the current year is not
yet in print, but from general knowl-
edge of the matters to which the board
has given attention, / anticipate
document of unusual interest and &C.
curacy.
ILLUMINATING OILS.
The first report OF the State Supervi-
sor of inspectors of illuminating oils,
covering the period from May "A, 1880,
when the law went into effect, to the
close of the fiscal year, is full of inter
md Oh I-or1y