The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-12-04


much larger number than is now in at
tendance. would suggest to the mem
bers of the General Assembly the pro
priety of calling the attention of the
people of their respective Counties tc
the great Importance of having all dea
or blind children of proper age placed in
this institution, where they receive moi
only literary education, but are taught
trades, and fitted in every way to become
self-supporting, happy and useful citizens
According to their means, pupils are
required, in whole or in part, to pay for
their board and tuition. This institution
is managed with strict economy. Under
the control of the able and skillful
Superintendent, it now ranks among the
first institutions of the kind in this
country. It deserves, and it should
receive, the continued support of the
State.
The Board of Commissioners of this
institution asked last year for an appro.
priation of twelve thousand dollars for
erecting and furnishing the additional
wing now in process of construction,
which completes the original plan of the
building. In view of the fact that it
would require more than year to finish
the work, the Legislature appropriated
six thousand dollars for the purpose, but
authorized the Board to contract for the
entire building, said contract not to
exceed twelve thousand dollars. 1t will,
therefore, be necessary for the present
Legislature to appropriate the balance,
six thousand dollars, to enable the Board
of Commissioners to carry out their
agreement with the contractors.
The Board of Commissioners ask for
the following appropriations, viz: For
the support of the institution, $4,000 ::
for repairs, $500; for completing and
furnishing West wing, $4,000; for insu.
rance, 1885; for colored department,
$500. recommend that these appropri-
atoms be granted.
THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
The Report of the Superintendent
shows that the number of patients at the
beginning of the last fiscal year was 6O3 j
number admitted, 293; readmitted, g.;
making the whole number under treat
ment during the year 901. The number
of inmates at the close of the year, 62S,
was diminished by remanding 33 i'm
beetles to the care of their respective
County Commissioners, as authorized by
Section 1895 Of the General Statutes.
The average number of patients was 66
more than in the year previous. The
sanitary condition of the institution has
been highly commended By the State
Board Of Health. 1t appears that the
number of colored patients is so steadily
increasing, that they will, probably, in
few years, constitute majority of the
inmates of the institution. The policy
of providing for them in separate build
ings, or, possibly, in separate institutions,
on economic or other grounds, is COM
mended 10 the serious consideration OF
the General Assembly.
As the census of 1880 shows that there
are in the State 2,700 of the defective
classes who may claim admission to the
ASYLUM, less than one third of whom
are now its inmates, in adopting q per.
manent policy it is highly important to
look to the necessities of the future.
A careful examination of the financial
report will show that the institution is
managed with strict economy. 1t is true
that the appropriations tor the Asylum
have, for several years, constituted q
large proportion of the expenses of the
Stale. but it must be remembered that
from 1861 to 1878, with triflipg ezcep-
tions, no provision was made for the con-
otontlu Increasing number of inmates,
and that, consequently, the expense of
erecting necessary buildings has added
largely to the outlay of the last few years.
Tho appropriation asked for this year
will complete the centre building OF the
new Asylum, which will hereafter leave
the cost of maintenance the principal
expense.
It is gratifying to observe that the per
CAPITA cost of maintenance has been re-
duced from S146.54 last year to S142.7S
this year; or, deducting the amount
received from pay patients, the cost to
the State has fallen from Sl41.SO last
wear to $128.75 this year; and that OF
last years appropriation, S6,S2S.4S re.
mains to the credit of the institution.
1t also appears that the estimates tor this
wear, for all purposes, are less by $9, 49,.
05 than the amount appropriated last
year. .
certain amendments suggested to the
lunacy laws, all providing for the exclu-
sion from the Asylum of such classes as
are not fit subjects for its beneficiary
care, to wit: harmless idiots, epileptics,
imbeciles snd insane convicts.
PEN1TENTIArY.
The Report of the Board of Directors
of the Penitentiary, in which are inclu-
ded the reports Of the Superintendent
and of subordinate officers of the prison
and the report of the Engineer of the
Canal, give full information on the sub.
jects to which they respectively refer.
The number of convicts Old the Slst OF
October last was 956, an increase OF 60
over the corresponding period of last
wear. Of this number 856 we're colored
males, 3S colored females, 60 white males
and 2 white females.
The Superintendent reports that the
different convict camps were inspected
during the year by himself or by the
Surgeon of the Penitentiary, and al
though, in consequence Of the unusually
dry Summer, sickness has prevailed to a
considerable extent among the leased
convicts, their condition was as favorable
as was possible under the circumstances.
In all instances the contractors have
shown willingness to make such changes
in the management and care of the con-
victs as was suggested by the Superiaten'
dent of the Surgeon.
The work of completing the North
wing of the prison has been pressed
forward as rapidly as possible, and q
large workshop similar to the one now in
use is in course Of erection. Until the
North wing'is finished it will be impos
sible to provide accommodations within
the walls of the prison for all the con-
yicts now undergoing sentence.
The plan of hiring convicts to con.
tractors to be worked without the super.
vision of the officers Of the prison is open