Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-03

pupils of the rural districts the same priyi- |
ieges that are enjoyed by those of Il cor
responding grade residing in the towns.
This plan would greatly strengthen the
school system as Il whole. The tendency |
would be toward the establishment of
numerous high school departments in the
town schools throughout the state. within
easy reach OF the advanced pupils OF the
surrounding districts, and without nddl-
tional expense to the taxpayers or to the
State. These central high schools should
receive reasonable compensation out Of
the general school fund to defray the ad.
ditional expense OF the pupils thus ad-
mtted. Those pupils Of the rural schools
who are prepared to enter the high school
departments of neighboring town school
would thus be afforded much greater op-
portunities for acquiring knowledge than
the district schools could offer. The as
trict teacher, being relieved of the ad-
vanced pupils at u time when they require
much attention, is enabled to do much
more efficient work with those who re-
main under his care. Furthermore as
these advanced classes in the rural dis
tricts are often limited in number to one
or two pupils, it would be a matter of
great economy in the teaching force to ad-
nit them to the town school, where they
can receive instruction in much larger
classes. A well formulated system along
these lines would, ! am sure, bring much
more satisfactory results to the commu
nifty at large than the establishing of State
normal schools.
THE MILITARY.
The importance of well regulated
militia to State has been demonstrated
during the past two years in more than
majority of the States, where they have
been compelled to call out their militia to
suppress riots and to protect the persons
| Inv, .F ,nt, Mi N
money, however, upon this department
without providing militia that would be
eifectual in the time of need is but waste
of the public funds and unless laws are
enacted and appropriations made that will
place the military department of this
State on such footing US will insure pro-
lection in case its services should be de-
manded, then again recommend its aboll-
ton altogether.
STATE LIBRARY.
The report of the State librarian, here
| with submitted, shows that hundreds of
| volumes of valuable books are yearly
added to the State Library, and that the
want of space in the library building ne
cessitates the keeping of them in such a
manner as to make them barely accessible
to those desiring to Use them. 1t has long
been recognized fact that this valuable
collection is almost made useless for the
keep them, and are indeed rendered untit
for use by the manner in which they arc
kept. This should no longer be the case.
If the present structure cannot be SO en-
larged as to answer the purposes desired,
then a new building should be erected and
the present one given up to the State
offices, which are at present much toe
small for the filing and preserving OF the
public records and papers.
STATE HOSPITAL.
Herewith submit the report of thetrus'
tees of the State Hospital at Farnhurst
and commend their recommendation of al
appropriation for the erection of separate
building, or outlying ward, for the violent
to your favorable consideration. Iendorsec
this recommendation in my last biennial
message, and am now more convinced
than ever of the justice aud propriety O
making provision for the desired improve
ments. A visit to the institution vii
satisfy you, not only OF the Importance
but of the necessity for these extra build
ingS, in order to secure the proper result
from the present outlay of the State funds
The amount asked for is not large, and thu
trustees deduce from the records of thu
hospital. that its revenues after hitting /
up so as to make it proper to receive pa,
patients, would be sufficient to pay the i'll
terest on the sum needed.
The management of this institution il
deserving OF the highest praise. Tn
average cost of the patients support pc
year is Sl3S. Compared with the hospitals
i of other States, it is the lowest but one
That the institution has been doing yer.
: good service is shown by the record Of TIN
i past year, during which time 1856 patient
were admitted; 1927 were under treatment
80 discharged-5O of whom had recovered
q improved, Is unimprovea, and one wa
not insane.
The statutes regulating the admission o
: persons to the hospital is not sufficient.
explicit, and in consequence number o
idiots, who are docile and harmless am
, whose condition no amount of medica
: skill can possibly better have been mad
/. inmates of the institution, when the
should be taken care Of by the counties
+, This defect in the law should be relnedied
i INEBRIArEs.
. Among the wards of the State should b
Q classed the "habitual drunkard." Their
e should be the right to take charge of sucl
: and coniine them for treatment and thei
property should be preserved for the us
e recommend such legislation as will Civ
! the court, upon proper application. tn
/ power at its discretion, to issue warran
c authorizing such person to be brough
S before it, and to direct u jury to inquir
: whether he or she is all "habitual drunk
ara, lntupuDlp Ul tulkltlB care OIL nltuSei
| or herself; and If the person be so foun
f that the rules OF law and proceeding al
plicable to the property of lunatics shoul
: apply. And the court should be given tn
1 further power of authorizing the contil
: ing of such person iii a asuitabieinstitutio
\ for such period as may be necessary fo
i his or her complete reformation. Th
: term "habitual drunkard," should en-
It brace any person who may be habituall
C addicted to the use of alcohol, opium
4 cocaine, morphine, or any other drug {
G intoXicant.
+ PRISON REFORM.
The prison system in our State has Ion
: been recognized us inadeqla for the pu
{ POSES of its creation. Criminals should |
!, punished, and it would seem that III
= prisonment must necessarily constitute ii
v greater part of that punishment. II
, restraint of the liberties of the conyic
;, : however, should not only serve as
. punishment, but should at least tend
prepare the prisoner to be better citize
y when restored to liberty. Our system teut
q q to a contrary effect. Hardened criminal
. first offenders, and youthful conyicts a
~ all confined together for long periods
:, or body. HEALTH IN many instances,
y broken down, habits OF idleneSs a
formed, their consciences are hardened
70 the association without employment, ar
y they are set ut liberty less qualified to ga
70 70 an honest livelihood or to perform ii
II duties of good citizen.
= would recommend the establishmei
of State workhouse or penitentiar
y where the prisoners could be set to wor
ae ae and ny their labor help earn the cost
,n So their living, and by extra work to aid tho
~ dependent upon them while their term
~ ~ Imprisonment lasts, or TO lay up som
20 thing by the day of discharge.
+ An act for the carrying out of IL