The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-10

has acquired q plant, chiefly through the
generosity of public spirited citizens, which
the man agement estimate to be of the value
of $4,000.
State Asylums for the Insane.
The work of the new board created under
the act of March II, 1901 (P. L. 1891, page
6S), has been very gratifying. The board
has control of both of the asylums at Tren-
ton and Morris Plains. The warden of the
Morris Plains asylum in his report to the
board compares the results accomplished
in that asylum in 1892 with those of 1890,
prior to the establishment of the new board.
1t shows most gratifying results. The
magnitude Of the interests under the man
agement Of this board was shown in my
message of 1892. l there stated the value
of the land and improvements and the
number of patients and officers and EN-.
ployees under their control.
The medical director at the Morris Plains
asylum reports that the institution is over
crowded; that while the building was orig
inally erected to accommodate not over $50
patients, the number at the close Of the ifs
cal year was $40; that in order to increase
the capacity of the institution the fourth
floor of the building, which was not in
tended to be occupied by patients, has been
utilized in making the present capacity of
the institution capable of accommodating
1875. He also recommends that there should
be an infirmary, detached from the main
building, in which patients having conta-
gious or infectious diseases can be isolated
and cared for. He refers to the harmony
existing between the business management
of the institution, as carried on under the
superintendent of the warden, and the
medical departna mt as carried on under
his direction.
At the close of the fiscal year there were
under treatment at the Trenton asylum s7s
patients, of whom 421 were males and 457
females, a gain of So over the preceding
year. The total number treated during the
year was 1,056, of whom 528 were men and
528 women. This is an increase of 81 over
the largest number under care at the insti
tuition in any one year. The number OF
new cases admitted was 1856, of whom lie
were men and 12O women. The daily aver.
age of patients was about $50. During the
year 178 patients ceased to be inmates OF
the institution. of whom rs died, SO recov.
cred, 20 improved, 4 unimproved and l es-
capped. There were at the close of the fiscal
year 759 patients classed as INDECENT, who
are supported by the counties sending
them, except one dollar per week, which is
paid by the state. There were 101 private
paying patients and also IS convict patients
supported by the state.
The accounts of the treasurer and stew
ard at the beginning and close of the fiscal
year differ, because the treasurer did not
pay an outstanding order of 1891 Of $50 un-
til after Oct. 81, 1891. There were unpaid
outstanding orders Oct. 81, 1892, amount
ing to $41. 80. These figures leave a balance
of S21.30, which is just the difference be-
tween the balance of accounts of the stew.
ard and treasurer at the close of the fiscal
year.
AT the close of the fiscal year there were
D49 patients at the Morris Plains asylum
Al males and 47S females, a gain of 81 over
the preceding year. The total number
treated during the year was ISL, of whom
800 were men and 561 women The daily
average for the year was about $50. There
were at the close of the fiscal year 791 pa
TENTS who are classed as INDECENT and are
supported by the county sending them, ex-
cept one dollar per week per patient, which
is paid by the state; 115 private paying pa
tients and also 43 convict patients sup.
ported entirely by the state. During the
year 253 new case were admitted, of whom
1875 were men and 118 women. During the
same period 202 ceased to be inmates of the
institution, Of whom 6S recovered, 30 inn
proved, Q ~unimproved, 81 died and 4 es-
capped.
State Charities Aid association. ses
The board of managers state that there
should be a change in the laws which gov
ern our jails, because under the present
system commitment to Jail is not dreaded.
1t is not looked upon as a place of punish
ment. They recommend cumulative sem
fences with hard work, and call attention
to the probationary system in operation in
Massachusetts, and recommend the pas
sage of a similar law for our state. They
report a steady and slow improvement In
the management of almshouses, and the
therefrom of q number of old and
infirm persons whose relatives are able to
maintain them. They call special atten-
ton to the necessity Of legislation to stop
the repeated return to the almshouses Of
women who. seek Its shelter for the birth of
illegitimate children. They state that this
evil is becoming SO notorious that it is
necessary to give it immediate attention.
They commend the management of the
county asylums, but strongly condemn the
keeping of the insane in q number of the
county and town a~lmshouses, and recon-
mend legislation to prevent the continu-