The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1890-01-16


SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers and Sailors Home is unable
to take proper care of inmates who become
insane, no provision having been made for
the nursing and management of such cases.
If authority we're granted by law to re-
move insane inmates of that institution to
the Toledo Asylum there to be maintained
at a fixed sum per annuin, to be paid by
the Soldiers and Sailors Home then one
half Of the expense would be reimbursed to
the state by the Federal Government No
provision is made at the Soldiers Home for
employing the minds of inmates, and an
appropriation Us liberal as the financial con-
dition of the state will bear, should be made
for chapel, an am uscinent hall and a Ii
brary.
INTERMEDIATE PENITENTIARY.
Owing to inadequate appropriations,
partly caused by Indifference OF the last
general assembly, little progress has been
made upon the intermediate penitentiary.
Speedy completion of a portion of that insti-
tuition, so that it might be used to a limited
extent, would inaugurate needed reforms
in administering our penal laws. The class
of convicts intended for that place are
daily growing less reclaimable by reason Of
their present environment. The sooner they
are removed from the penitentiary to the
intermediate the better it will be for them
and for society in general One wing of the
building should be finished and occupied at
once, so that the labor of the convicts could
be utilized in completing the whole. This
latter suggestion emanates from the
THE BOARD OF STATE CHARITIES.
In this connection it is proper to say that
the Board of State Charities has accom-
plished in the way Of humanitarianism all
that its slender pecuniary allowance per-
mitted. The board complains, in its recent
annual report, that sit has been badly Grip
pied by want of sufficient appropriations
for the full and efficient discharge of the
duties imposed upon it by law" and adds,
very naturally, that 'if the board is to be
continued it should be properly supported"
The report above referred to contains much
valuable information, and many practical
suggestions in regard to the abandonment
of outdoor relief to paupers; the separation
and employment Of persons confined in
jails; and the life Imprisonment Of those in
corrigible and professional criminals termed
'srecidivists," who have been repeatedly
convicted Attention could proftably be
given to that portion Of the same report de-
voted to
CERTAIN CLASSES OF INSANE.
If special provision were made at the
Central Asylum for the accommodation of
Insane criminals it would relieve the peni-
tentiary of duty, which, from necessity,
is imperfectly discharged. Such criminals,
together with insane persons whose mania
tends to crime, but who have not been con-
victed thereof, should be confined to build
ing separated from every other, and erected
for that purpose. Similar separate building
ought to be provided for the epileptic in
sane. Their complete isolation is demanded
by humanity and approved by universal
experience This is especially urged by the
Board of State Charities on account of the
dangerous character of these unfortunates;
as, also, on account Of their damaging in
auence over other insane. They could be
well cared for in this way at a less cost than
with duty in calling for change. The
board also strenuously insists upon the
CUsToDIAL CARE OF IDIOTS.
Their argument seems unanswerable.
lmbecile youths are taken care of at the
institution for that purpose, but adult i'm
beetles are permitted to be at large. They are
found in nearly every county infirmary.
Restraint should be put upon them by the
state, especially upon the females, in order
that the increase in their number may be
limited Besides much better and moro
humane care could be taken Of them; and,
by systematic and intelligent teaching they
might become partially selfsurporing.
EtECTHiCrry.
The application of electricity is rapidly
opening now fields of legislation. Unless
something be done to prevent the sacrifice
of life daily resulting from defective cleo
trio wires, the companies which put up and
control them will havo grown so rich and
powerful that the passage and enforcement
Of proper laws will be difficult. Municipai-
ties have attempted to enforce regulations
for protection from such dangers, but with
out satisfactory result. The duty of inves
tigating the generation and distribution OF
electrical currents is one which presses upon
you. The investigation should be prompt
and thorough; the result thereof made pub
tic; and such action taken as may, in your
judgment, throttle this evil in its infancy.
DECENSIAL APrRAIsEaENT
The decennial appraisoment Of real estate
will take place during this year. Your at
tention is called to the necessity for procur-
ing better and moro uniform valuation
upon both real and personal property. The
subject is ono which demands consideration
not only as matter of income to the state,
but because of injustice done citizens
whose property is disproportionately assess
ed. The financial condition of the state,
and common fairness combine inf demand
ing careful revision and equalization of as
sessinents; and it is hoped you may devise
some legislation which will effect this laud-
able result. The necessity for such action
is too obvious to need comment.
CHEAPER SCHOOL BOOKS.
Popular education is the foundation Of
freedom and prosperity. knowledge should
be furnished at the lowest possible cost.
The state builds school houses, provides
teachers, and controls every detail of edu-
cation save the furnishing of books. Is
there any sound reason why it should not
assume this function also! Recent expert
ence in the State of Indiana shows, ostensi-
bly,, that school books, equal to those in use
here, are delivered to the children of that
state at thirty-five to fifty per centum Of
their former cost. Other states have tried
the experiment with apparent success. 1t
seems to be an assured fact that school
books can be furnished, either by direct
publication of the state, or by control on
behalf of the state, at less than present
prices 1t is not necessary to inveigh against
capital for monopolizing this form Of publi-
cation. 1t is sufficient to ascertain whether
books can be furnished more cheaply by the
state, without involving it in material ex-
penses, or liability. II this can be proven,
then it becomes your duty to cheaper
school books.
A RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
The office of commissioner of railroads
and telegraphs seems to be more ornamental
than useful, and it is difficult to say where
in it has benefited the community. Unless
the place be made one of more efficiency
and power 1t might be abolished. If it were
intended to exercise contral over the rail-
roads Of the state; to hold in check their en-
croachments upon the public; to investigate
and report the causes Of every accident,
and in other ways to regulate them in the
interests of the people, such results could
have been much more effectively attained
by railroad commission, somewhat similar
to that long since adopted in the State of
Illinois. A commission composed of three
persons ought, if judiciously selected, con-
stitute body of sufficient Importance to
successfully investigate every question of
railroad management effecting life and
traffic. Such plan is in the line Of ap-