The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-01-09

be classified placing tho hardened and confirm
oil criminals in one institution Then make
one OF them more of n reform atory-between
the reform school aud the prison-tho other
prison taking these OF n moro medium char
acter between these two extremes. In order TO
adjust this question. the Availability OF rJcrsan-
izing tho prisons under one board must be con-
sidered, so that authority TO transfer from one
TO the other can be conveniently exercised. The
Governor says tina. thoie is NJ importance in the
plausible phrase that board should be- non
PARTISAN A majority of one OF the important
state boards has for yea - been composed OF gem
tlemen attached TO the minority political party
IN the state. And yct the fish propagated under
directions OF this board found To be strictly
non.partisan in their character. SO with the
work OF al our boards. Political fayoritism
never enters into their proceedings.
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
Unusual efforts have been made during this
biennial term to secure homes for the boys sent
To the institution, and these efforts have been
crowned with great success. While IL is not
true OF all the boys that 20 20 tae Reform
snd YET true tha5 many OF them go out
citizens The management In every respect il
working wisely and harmoniously. IL is fully
answering the expectations OF its founders, an
TO that school IL fairly Attributed tue credit for
a portion OF the reduction in our prison popula-
ton
INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS
This Is one Of the youngest OF our charitable
AMI reformatory institutions. Some OF the
problems connected with the care and control OF
availed themselves OF the opportunities afforded
them by this home and many OF them have
gone out 10 honor homes of their own. while
others are doing credit u themselves and tho
institation in the homes OF others. There is no
longer difficulty in finding places for the good
qHE STATE SCHOOL. AT coIpwArER.
This school is stu realizing all of the expectn-
tons of its most ssnguine friends. The boarl
asks for az amendment To tho law permitting
them TO take children in certain cases where
they are not dependent upon the public for sup
port The truth is there are cases where chill
dren are cruelty treated by their parents. 1t is
true punishment may he inflicted upon such
parents. but even this does not protect or gener-
ally benefit the child Under such circumst ances,
it seems wise to permit the authorities TO send
the innocent children TO this school, where
kinder and more humane treatment will be ac-
corded thcm.
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
This institution Is in very prosperous aud
satisfactory condition There has been a mod
crate increase in the number Of pupils The
board estimates the same ratio OF increase FL
the next two years. The health OF the pupils
has been excellent.
MICHIGAN SCHOOL, FOR THE BLIND.
This school is judiciousy and vol accom-
plishing the purpose for which 1t was estab-
lished and Is maintained.
MICHIGAN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
On the LIST day Of December there were so pa
tients being cared for at this asylum an in
crease OF ninety-siX in two years: Two years,
ago we found our asylums all full. The rapid
increase of inmates in the institutions led TO
inquiry. and the construction OF cottages in the
vicinity of'the main buildings was suggested
ana the plan adopted anld recommended by the
managers OF the asylums IL was believed that
cottages sufficiently commodious TO accommo-
date fifty patients could be constructed at an
expense not exceeding $500 10 each patient:
while the large institutions cost about ~, % To
n patient. Appropriations were made for the
construction Of two cottages at Kalamazoo, two
at Pontiac. and one at Traverse City. Most OF
these have BEEN completed and arc occupied by
patients.
EASTERN MICHIGAN ASYLUM AT PONTIAC.
This wac second in construction ~ wei 0s in
szo OF our insane asylums. There were 775
patients in this institution on the ! sc day of
July, lSS. This is an Increase of 90 during the
last year, and lSJ in two years. The board asks
for NJ direct appropriation. The cottages have
been constructed aud arr proving rely salts
factory in thor result.
IHE NORTHERN MICHIGAN ASYLUM Al TRAVERSE
CITY.
This asylum had on the first day OF July 1888
5j6 patents. There nus been rapid increase
within tho last two years. The territory allotted
70 ii comprises most OF the newer counties, and
those ure rapidly incr 3nsing in population, with
more than CORE spending increase OF insane.
The report Of the boHd will indicate the neces-
sity for additions, and point out the proposed
plan for charging tho capacity OF the asylum
ASYLUM FOR CRIMINAL AND Ho.IcIDAL PA
TIENTs.
This was located n few years aco in connection
wit the House OF Correction ~ Ionia. Two
years ago / earnestly recommended its removal
To some more favorable point, All the con-
version of the present institution into prison
for females ! hope hat no money will be APP
prOpTiatea TO eXtond the building o. in ,rease its
capacity where now located. Several plan5 have
been suggested 10 meet thu emergency Tho
most 70 tsiblo one that now suggests Itself Ia for
the stale to procure proper site wi hin short
distance OF tho present nsttution. nj erect
thereon suitable building for the harmless in
mates IL this plan is adopted, II building should
be erected with the ultimate dssicn and pur-
pose OF remol ing the whole institution away
from the House OF Correction.
The increase Of insane patients in our several
asylums would seem to indicate rapid growth
in insanity, but close investigation will satisfy
tho inquirer that this Is moro apparent than
real. People we'll advarced i'm years, with fail
ing mind and strength. peevish and fretful. per-
haps, whom one would have thought Of call
ing insane twenty years ago, are now sent 10 the
asylum. Many OF them can receive more COM
Portable care and treatment there than they
could In their homes Perhaps it IL well or
better that they should be In re, but IL accounts
in part, for the rapid increase in asylum popu-
lation. Another thing tnat may have slight
bearing upon this is the method adopted re-
Gently providing for their support. Until within
II few years the counties supported the INDECENT
insane in the a1ylums Now The State
assumes their support after they have bcen
other system the Superinten Tents OF the Poor,
frequently under the direction OF the Board OF
Supervisors, removed patients from the asylumS
who had partially recovered, TO save expense 10
the county. Now that il is paid out Of the State
treasury. inducements TO pursue this course do
noe exist. In the appropriations made FOR 1857
and 1883 S6i6, 900 was estimated and approlri-
ated for the cups ort of State patients aud the
payment of officers or the asylums. And while
IN 3 Was quite largely IN excess OF the amount
expended for the purpose yet no other item
added so much to the taxes OF those two years
"a this sum. About ihree-fifths of the !, 400 pa
tients in the different asylums ARC supported
by the state. \ better pan; i'll my judgment,
would DO to estimate the amount required for
each sylum aud appropriate it, or so much OF
it as should be needed, 20 that purpose.
THE UNIVERSITY.
The Board of Regents have submitted me-
mortal, giving n detailed statement OF needs for
the next two years. The special appropriations
suggested aggregate -2l9.25J The permanent
appropriations made under the existing laws
are SlU7 900. making IA total OF So .2s9.
Every intelligent citizen OF Michigan shares in
n common pride in this great educational insti-
tuition. All desire TO see IL prosper, but there is
no denying the fact that its constantly increas-
ing demands are somewhat disturbing the poo
pie While its benefits appreciated, there
is yet n common belief that thoy are not equally
disturbed. The taxes for its support
are paid under sort OF mental
protest. We would be glad to see some
plan adopted that would remove 80 far possi-
bile this feeling The sentiment is not confined
10 tho ignorant, but learnei and thoughtful men
are IN xiously inquiriDg what can he done 10 Sc
cure he prosperity of this grent university and
remove the objec ions they are not so many, but
they are real and not imaginary. IL some
method could he adopted that would Indicate n
gradual reduction in taxation for its support, IL
is believed that the public would be satisfied TO
meos it's demands for a season in order TO main
tain its prosperity. Nearly or quite one-half OF