St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-15
CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS.
Report of the Minnesota Board at
st, Louis.

L..
The eleventh annual meeting of the ma
tional conference of charities and correc-
tons convened in Memorial hall, st. Louis,
on Monday evening, in which Minnesota
was represented by large delegation. Yes
terday afternoon the following report for the
Minnesota board was read by its secretary,
IL ii. Hart, as follows;
Sept. 30, 1884.
Kew. Fred II. Wines, chairman of committee
on reports from states for eleventh con-
terence of charities.
Slr: In Minnesota the work of the newly
estaohshed board of corrections and charities
mas fairly begun. During the past year
the board has carefully surveyed its
held County jails and poor houses have
been thoroughly inspected and the study of
state institutes has begun. Statistics have
been gathered and tables prepared exhibit
ing the comparative expenditures of coun-
tries for pauperism. A comparative study
o. the expenditures of state institutions has
Deen begun. Considerable pains have been
taken to acquaint the people OF the state
WIN TIE nature and scope OF the work OF the
board in order TO lay foundations for an in
telllgent public sentiment Thus far the
Board has met with unexpectedfavor. 1t is
heartily supported by al the leading newspa-
pers of the state. The officers of the state
ana county institutions have cO-operatcd
readily. Suggestions and even severe criti-
clsms have beeu courteously received and
frequently acted upon. Indeed, in its in
experience the board has been somewhat en-
oarassed py the apparent confidence With
winch its advice has been sought
We believe that Minnesota's state institu-
tons will compare favorably with those Of
any OF the younger states. Two things have
especially aided their efficiency. First,
economy in building; second, stable tenure
of Office. No institution building has
cost as much IS one thousand dollars.
per inmate. The school of i,nheciles cost
about $500 per capita. The second insane
hospital not more than $3.50. The result is
that We have not more than ten or twelve
insane in county poor houses, and We hope
to continue to provide for all our insane in
state institutions modestly but comfortably
built. It is now ten years since the super
intendent of state institutions was dis
missed. The superintendent of our seven
state institutions have been in the service
an average of thirteen years. Omitting the
school for imbeciies, which is only five years
old, the average service of the remaining
six superintendent is fourteen and half
years. Many Of their subordinates
have served long terms. The
Minnesota plan is to get good man and
keep him.
The school for imbeciles has had its capa-
city doubled this year and will accommodate
about 100. The coming legislature will be
asked to double il again and provide custo-
dial department.
The reform school will ask for means to
erect suitable building for the girls depart
ment.
The Second insane hospital will ask means
TO build detached wards similar to those al
ready built III connection with the First in
sane hospital.
The administration building of the state
prison and the shops destroyed by two disas-
trous fires last winter have been restored,
the burned roof of the cell room replaced by
an iron roof, and an additional cell room is
nearly completed.
The city of st. Paul is about completing a
house of correction to accommodate some
$50 prisoners. The city of Minneapolis is
taking steps to provide a similar institution.
In both cities the establishment of charity
organization societies is being considered.
In reply to question ''whether there are
any permanent appropriations" l would
say that there are none but
the taxes collected from rail-
road and telegraph companies set apart to
form estate institution fund.- which pro-
duces an income sufficient to support the
correctional and charitable institutions of
the state as well as the normal schools.
Several years ago the legislature set apart three
hundred thousand acres OF swamp lands
to create permanent endowment fund for
state institutions. These lands are still I'M
selected, being wild lands in different parts
Of the state. 1t is hoped that
they will Immediately produce a
fund of million or million and half. I
append statement of appropriations as re-
quired. Very respectfully,
II. II. HART, Secretary.
September 80, 1884.
Rev. Fred II. Hines, chairman committee on
reports of state:
The following is statement of appropri-
atoms made by the legislature OF 1888, for
correctional and charitable institutions in
Minnesota.
For the year ending July 81, 1884, for cur
rent expenses:
First hospital for insane. Sf31 ,62o 90
Second hospital for insane. ......... 62,4O0 90
Deaf and dumb, blind and imbecils.. $4,000 90
Reform school. observation-disclosures. $4,000 90
State prison. Observation-Disclosures. OO,OOU w
Total. .s344, O25 90
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
First hospital FOR insane. s3s,OOO
Second hospital for insane $4,000
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