Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-12

s5675
INSANE ASYLUM.
The care of the unfortunate IL one OF
the paramount duties OF the State. In
the State Insane Asylum a. Provo we
have an institution which, while not pos
se7sed OF all the modern improvements
incident TO many OF the lavishly con-
Quoted hospitals for the insane to be
found in the Eastern states, nevertheless
satisfactorily fills our present wants. The
present management has stTiven 10 in
crease the discipline OF the asylum, to
exercise greater interest and solicitude
for the patients, to promote greater neat
ness and cleanliness and better sanitary
conditions for the patients, and to mini
mize expenses TO the lowest possible
limit In each of these lRudable under
takings, it is my belief that during the
year unmistakablo progress has been
made. The average daily cash cost OF
each patient for care and treatment for
the year was 80 IL cents, reduction
from tho cost OF the preceding year OF
about six cents per capita, and he lowest
figure yet reached in the history OF the
asylum. This gratifying result may be
ascribed TO several causes; increased
number OF patients treated, reductions
in salaries OF officers. increased yield
from farm. garden, orchard aud dairy,
greater care in The purchase of supplies,
and effective changes in the heating appa-
ratus, The cost OF fuel has always been
an enormous itom in the maintenance of
the asylum and will continue to be, yet
the management has succeeded, by the
Introduction of traps and other devices,
changes in location OF radiators, altera-
tiOns in the air ducts and in the CRATE bsr3
underneath the boilers, enabling tho use
of slack Instead OF lump coal, to produce
"a nj ~ IN,
the item of fuel, and tho wards are all
comfortable in the coolest weather,
whereas formerly some OF them were
not. a few necessary improvements,
heretofore authorized by the Legislature,
were made during the year. Tue airing
courts, wherein patients can enjoy the
sunlight and mild exercise, are in proc.
ess OF completion, q new ice house has
been built, and near, new fence in front
OF the grounds erected. An aim OF the
management has been TO keep the
patients employed as much as possible,
although experience has demonstrated
that but little OF the work of the patients
is OF any permanent profit, the benefits
therefrom resulting rather to the patterns
than to the asylum. Summarizing the
needs for the ensuing two years, the
board suggests the following:
Care and maintenance. .........,...... .ss6,q6S
New not wafer oiler...................... BOO
ultIor ftGords -.'............-..... 900
Insurance on building. ........,......, $500
Total....,.......,. ...-..............Sg2 1868
recommend the appropriation Of this
amount and that the unused balance in
The treasury of the asylum be ordered
back into the State treasury.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Owing to insufficient provisions OF the
military code to compel attendance to
drills and other military duties, 10 a
woiul deficiency in.armory facilities, aud
to general lack OF public recognition
and encouragement, l regret To say the
National Guard of Utah has deteriorated
during the year. One of the three troops
OF cavalry has been mustered out OF the
service, having fallen below the standard
OF efficiency. OF the sixteen ompauies
of infanlry, four will doubtless soon be-
mustered out OF the service. Before an
o,her year the terms OF enlistment Of the
ousorganizations will have expired,
| and, unless grea or financial aid is OK
tended 10 tho Guard, 1t is in danger of
dislntegration. The Constitution OF the
State requires that the Legislature shall
provide by law for the organization,
equipment and discipline of the militia.
II we arc To have militia a. ALL we
ought to have good one. Though the
reputation OF Tho people OF Utah is
poaceable ana peace-loviug, aud the riots
and iusurreciions which have occurred
in other states are practically unknown
hore, nevertheless, experience has dem
onstratod that it is n wise and prudent
policy for each state to keep in constant
readiness Tor action well equipped and
well trained militia. The MISSION OF a
militia IN MOI only to suppress organized
opposition 10 law, but the fact Of its ex-
tstence acts asa preventive of riot and
disordor,Oud therein lies an essential part
OF is value To the State. 1t would not be
good economy to drain the financial re-
sources by maintaining large standing
army,.Hud such proposition ~ not con.
templated, la this State he organi-
cation is not large and its re-
quirements may be easily met Tho
Guard Is composed OF young men Tor the
most part, who have enlisted from patrio-
tic motives and who, in any case Of call
10 arms, would rondor the state efficient
service. such devotion to public inter
osts should be appreciated by the public
and by you. No encouragement thai
could be extended to the Guard and no
disciplin NJ that could be impaired, would
be productive OF such beneficial results
~ to provide for an annual encampment
This was demonstrated last summer
when, by volunteering their time and
with lhe aid given by citizens, six COM