The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1897-01-15

preparation for the purpose OF estab>
fishing a forestry department of the
state. The work of the geological sur
vey is being pushed. The work of the
miscellaneous bureaus OF the state is
commended. Tuition of foreign stu
dents to the state university. the gov
ernor thinks should be increased. The
state normal school he reports as in
prosperous condition. Other schools
and state institutions of learning are
reviewed by the governor. and sugges-
lions for their Improvement made In
some instances. OF the soldiers home
he says:
Michigan Soldiers Home.
This institution is in very creditable
condition indeed. Extensive improve
ments have been made in the water
supply, in additions to the hospital. and
in general repairs to the main building
and the woman's annex. There is now
an air of contentment and comfort
about the institution which is very
gratifying to an interested visitor. The
board has not used all the moneys APP
propriated by the last legislature, but
has substantial sum left, and is en-
titled to great credit for giving max
pense. 1t will ask for no special appro-
priations this year as board, but there
will be requests from other sources for
a dining room and kitchen addition to
the woman's annex. That this in many
respects would be desirable is not de-
MED, but the distance the inmates of
that department have to walk to and
from their meals Is about three hundred
hot ztl. 1,,ft otef
the care of their rooms, and on the
whole they are exceedingly comforta-
BILE; in fact, more comfortable than they
ever were before, and more comfortable
than the average OF our citizens. 1t
would seem that no particular harm
would result by postponing these i'm
provements for two years at least.
These improvements would probably
cost in the neighborhood of $4,000, and
would involve an increase of current
expenses of from $4,000 to $4,000. This
is a large increase of expenses when
the number of inmates of this depart
ment is considered. 1t Is probable that
their numbers will be increased, but
probably not to exceed fifty or sixty.
The increasing age of the inmates of
the home is likely to make it necessary
changes in all its departments, and in
view of the large demands made upon
the purse Of the people, they should be
satisfied without additional improve
ments for two years. Heretofore, appro-
priations have been made for the home
and the womens annex separately. AS
their care and management are so in
timately interviewer there is no good
xuhu TO CHI
not be made in gross, so as to cover
both institutions. thus saving a large
amount of work in bookkeeping and ac-
counting. and arriving at precisely the
same results.
The home for the feeble minded and
epileptic, at Lapeer, has been compet-
ed as far as the appropriations were
made in $685. and 200 patients are now
accommodated therein.
This is new institution, and on lines
new to the state of Michigan. There
have been many things to learn, both
by the board of control, and by the
superintendent, but the knowledge
gained clearly shows the wisdom Of the
establishment of the institution. The
board recommends the building of six
cottages in addition to the one provided
under contract of erection, which would
make four cottages for the accommoda-
ton of epileptics, and four for the fee
BILE minded, two of each class for each
sex, and one to be u=--d temporarily for
an administration building. They also
recommended the purchase of more land
and the enlargement of the kitchen,
dining room and boiler room to meet
i,o de I,a
building of laundry. What is asked
for is in the direction of the accommo-
dation of the inmates rather than for
the accommodation of the superinten-
dent or officers, or for display. 1t seems
to me that this is in the right direction.
With the demands made upon the in
stitution since 1t was opened for recep-
ton of inmates. and the information
gained in its management. it would
seem that 1t is right step in the inter-
ests of humanity and the practical
solving of the question of providing for
this class of unfortunates. After the
necessary buildings are completed and
experienced is gained in their training.
the expense of maintaining them will be
less in a state institution than IN the
poorhouses. and they will not be left
plague to society ! commend this in
stitution to your Nest careful consider
alton.
Upper Peninsula Hospital for Insane.
BY means of the appropriations made
in 1895, the capacity of this institution
has been increased to 300. and i, now
has about $50 patients. They are ask
ing for appropriations for three cottages
to accommodate fifty inmates each, and
an addition to their infirmary. which
will accommodate twenty-five patients,
making accommodations for a total of
AIS inmates. This. it is estimated. will
take care of all the patients whose resi-
dences are in the Upper peninsula, and
provide for the natural increase there
and a little more. This is all the ad-
ditional accommodations that will be
asked for by the insane asylums this
year. except for an acute hospital at