Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-12

the following appropriations, 10 feque't0
ed by the Superintendent in his report:
current expenses of the Hospital. 5000 90
For transportation OF patients ...~ 9'S Sp9 ~ ~
For repairs Of Hospital. 5,OVO W
For two new heaters and setting up -oo AZ
For bnildinp gas works ................. 1908 90
For chairs, blankets, etc., Tor new ,-,o %
For fa1cing grounds. etc ............,. 1900 %
Total ...........,..................sl 10000 90
The amount asked for for current ex-
penses is large, being much in excess OF
appropriations on this account for former
wears. When however it is understood,
that the number of patients now cared
for in the Hospital, is largely in excess
of the number at any one time therein,
that the cost of living is largely increas-
ed by the present high price of all
articles of consumption, the large sum
asked for, will not be more than sufficient
for that purpose.
The average per capita per week for
the last fiscal year was fraction over
81 81, for the present year the Superin-
tendent estimates that it will be nearly
81 80.
The Superintendent reports fully the
needs of the Hospital as torepairs, water
supply, gas, etc.
His statements are based on sound
principles of economy, having in view
the existing wants OF the institution.
Your attention is respectfully directed
TO his report, and careful consideration
of the same.
desire to call your attention to one
of the difficulties attending the manage
ment of the institution. l am informed
that there are mahy persons now in the
Hospital who should not have been adj
mitted as inmates. l allude to that
class of persons known rs idiots" The
law provides that such persons when
sent to or received into the Hospital,
shall be returned by the Board of
Directors to the county from whence
they came. This has been done in
several instances. Few, if any of the
counties of the State have any provision
made for the care of this class OF its
citizens. The law regards an idiot" as
technically insane. Upon their return
to the counties from which they were
sent, they are again examined and re-
turned to the hospital. The proceed
ings are regular, and the Superintendent
compelled to receive them. The con-
sequence is that the Hospital is burden
ed with a class of patients not properly
there, to the exclusion of others who are
entitled, by reason of their malady, to
admittance. This class of incurablcs,
in most instances harmless, should not
be a charge upon the bounty of the
State, but should be maintained by the
respective counties to which they be-
long. If, however, should be in error
as to the duty of the State to provide
for the care and management of the
persons so afflicted, certainly this
Hospital is not the proper place for such
care
Youare respectfully requestedto enact
such additional legislation as will
remedy this growing evil.
Institution For the Dear, Dumb and
Blind.
Owing to the increased attendance
upon this Institution, the Principal, in
his semi-annual report for the six
months ending September SOth, stated
that the estimates made by him, in his
former report, for the current year are
too small.
The Board of Regents, at the request
of the Principal, ask for an increased
appropriation for the following reasons:
The number If deaf mutes and blind
enrolled on the first day of October, for
attendance during the current session,
was 40. There are besides these, 70
applications on file for admission to the
institution.
There were at the date of the report
10S in actual attendance, filling the
sleeping apartments to their utmost
capacity.
The number of pupils in attendance
last session was SO, of whom 80 were
deaf mutes, and "a blind.
At the present session los are now in
attendance, of whom 20 are deaf mutes
and % blind.
AS before stated, number have been
enrolled who are not yet in attendance,
besides the appl cations on file for
admittance. Enrolled and not yet in
attendance IL.
The provision for the accommodation
of so large number of pupils, is not as
ample as it should be Should those al
ready enrolled attend the current session,
the Institution will not have the capa-
city to accommodate them comfortably.
AS the population of the State increases,
the number entitled TO be provided for,
will also increase. And in as much as
the Institution is now taxed to its ut
most capacity, you are requested to take
into consideration its necessities, and
make such provision as will meet its
growing demands.
In this connection III proper to state,
that no provision has yet been made for
the instruction of the colored deaf mutes
and blind. 1t has been the policy of
the State not to educate the white and
colored children together in our public
schools.
The Board of Regents report that two
colored children have applied for
admittance to the Institution. These
are certainly entitled to the bounty of
the State, and their education should be
provided for.
AS the number applying for admis-
sion will probably be small, and in as
much as admission to this Institution
might impair its usefulness, it is sub
mitted that provision might be made
for the present, for colored pupils in
similar institutions outside of the State,
where both classes are admitted, au-
thority being conferred upon the Board
of Regents to make such provision, at
State expense.
The expenses of this Institution for
the last year were as follows:
Current expenses p 96 A
Pupils travelling expense fund.-. 500 IS
Balance s on account of current ex. "
pensss z II
Total 1874 II
The Board of Regents, in view OF the
large attendance upon the Institution,