Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-01-19
attained until the laws are modified by the sub
stitution of indeterminate for fixed sentences.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

attained until the laws are modified by the sub
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
i. The whole number of patients treated at the
Northern Hospital for the insane during the last
fiscal year was 719, the daily average 500 $40,
and the number under treatment at the close of
the year 499. The number discharged recover
ed was 20, improved II, and unimproved ".
Of those discharged IS were removed to the
state hospital and 83 to the Milwaukee county
insane asylum. The total expenditures were
$f38, 918.45, of which $129, 6.21 were for cur
rent expenses. The current expenditures for
the present calendar year are estimated at $121,-
SIS. 50, which will require an appropriation of
$40, 67 in addition to the amount to be re-
celved from counties, and the surplus which it
was expected would remain on hand of the be-
ginning of the year. The trustees request
special appropriations to the amount of 1858
for purposes specified in their report. ft
The Wisconsin state hospital has given treat
ment to 753 patients during the year, with
daily average of $50, and $50 under treatment
at its close. The number discharged from this
hospital recovered is reported at 40, the number
improved at At, and the number unimproved at
Is. The total expenditures were $178, 317. SO;
OF which $4S, $4,000 were paid for previous
years liabilities, and 81, $685.. on account of
special appropriations. The current expendi-
lures for the present year are estimated at
$134, BOZ, 000, requiring an appropriation of
$685. $500 in addition to funds on hand and
amount to be received from counties. The
trustees ST this hospital also request special ap-
preparations for the purposes set forth in their
report IN amounts aggregating $4,000.
In obedience to joint resolution in that be-
half adopted BY the last legislature, Iappointed
Senators Sutherland, McGrew and Smith, a
COMMITTEES to investigate the affairs of this hos
pitaL This committee has, believe, most
falt hfully and thoroughly performed the duties
assigned them, and their report, with the ac-
company1ng testimony and papers, was fled in
the executive office December %, where they
now remain subject to such disposition as you
may be pleased to make Of them. There
seemed to be such general desire to be inform
ed concerning this report that, with my permits
sion, copies Of it were made, and it has been
published In manv newspapers. 1t is therefore
unnecessary that should occupy any consider
able time In presenting the conclusions arrived
at, or the recommendations made by this COM
mlttee. 1t suffices to say that the committee
find many things to criticise and some to con-
denim, In the methods and manner in which the
business matters of the hospital have been con-
Quoted, and In the absence of order in the man
agement OF its multiuduious details. Much of this,
IN the opinion OF the committee was incident to,
if not inherentin, the system of government pro-
vlded by law, and they accordingly recommend q
radical change in the manner of supervising
and governing the states charitable institutions
by substituting for the several local boards of
management one general board of control for
all. The subject Is one of grave importance,
involving the conservation of the high and
widely diverse purposes for which these lnstitu-
dons were established, as we'll az systematic and
economical business management. While there
fore, the recommendations of the committee
should receive your most considerable attention.
the pfacucal difficulties surrounding the adj
ministration of these sacred trusts by single
board of control should not be overlooked.
1t remains for me to add, and I am much
grained that may do so, that there is no sug-
gestlon IN the committees report of anything
approaching corruption or malfeasance in
ofhce on the part OF any one connected with the
hospltai, while Id many of the most important
particulars, especially those relating to the con-
dluon and care OF patients, the committee be-
stow much and well-deserved commentator.
The expenses of the investigations including
the per diem charges of the members of the
committee, amounted to $3,84515, of which
sum, as before stated, 1856 were paid from the
contingent fund. An appropriation to pay the
balance should be made at an early day.
Inc Milwaukee county insane asylum has
been completed during the year. and embodies
the best results Of recent experience in all mat
tiers pertaining to hospital construction. In
general appearance, convenience of arrange
ment, perfection of heating and ventilation.
and IN utilization and economy Of space, it Is
not surpassed by any institution in the country
1t was opened for the reception of patients
March 26, 1880, since which time 245 different
persons have received treatment, the daily aver
age being 1856. The cost of maintenance. ex-
elusive of all repairs and furnishing, has been
Sl4, DID. 46, an average of $2.9015 per week for
each patient The trustees do not exDect that
this average can be maintained throughout the
year, or for series of years.
1t Is estimated by the board of trustees that
thus asylum will accommodate 800 patients.
upon TINS OASIS there Is now provision, in Wis
consln, for the treatment and care of not less
than 400 insane persons in frst-class hospitals.
Ihls Is at the rate OF one for every $50 of pop
uIauon, and II JudlclouSly used. ought to be
amply sufficient for all our present necessities.
AT the institution for the education of the
gear ana dumb, the buildings provided for by
the law enacted last winter have been erected
and will be found well adapted to the purposes
OF the school The amount expended from the
building fund was $49, 549. 81, from the CIR
rent expense fund $48, ATS. 68. including in the
latter sum $15, 454.49 for repairs and perma-
nent improvements and 50, 060 for house fur
nlshing. The greater part of the expenditures
embraced in these last mentioned sums was
mace necessary by the fire in 1879, and is COW
cred by the special appropriation of last winter
The amount paid for salaries and wages was
Sl29Ol'43, and for subsistence S8,06O.34. The
VIM III number nna of pupils enrolled dur,
were in attendance September 80, 1880. The
estimates for the current year are based upon
an assumed average attendance of 175 pupils,
and amount to $34, 500 for current EXPENSES.
and BIZ, $50 for various purposes as set forth in
their report. In addition to the recommends
tons made by the trustees, I suggest that it
would be expedient to appropriate sum sufi-
cient to paint the shingle roofs of the buildings
and provide pipes, hydrants and hose for pro-
lection against fire. have been much inter
ested in the printing Office connected with this
institution, which is becoming an important
branch nits industrial department.. 1t now great
lyneeds some additio ls to its material, and be-
heve small appropriation may very properly
be made for this purpose.
At the institution for the education of the
blind the total number of pupils enrolled was
80, with an attendance of IL, October 31-the
close of the fiscal year. The fiscal year of this
institution does not correspond with the states
fiscal year, and if any discrepancies should be
found between their accounts and the tables
published by the secretary of state, this fact
may account therefor. The current expenses
for the twelve months ending October 81 were
$l7, o0o.?4, OF which sum $6, 455.O7 were paid
for salaries and wages, and $4,13319 for sub
slstence. The estimates for the current wear