Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-01-10

tnOuSdIQS OF tGSllIlOnldl lStlCIS LCCOitCa
from sufferers cured. In writing DR.. Kilmer
& Co., Binghamton. N. r.. be sure and
mention this paper.
that there has been an extravagant oil
unwarranted expenditure. Some expla-
nation for the larger amount required is
found in the increase of people, in the
for the efficient conduct of affairs and
in the gradual growth in number OF
multiplying objects calling for payment
Many of these were unknown at the be
ginning of the century and found nc
place in government. Now they arc
accepted as necessary for the safe and
orderly administration of a progressive
state. To abolish some would meet with
general disapproval; to discontinue the
support of others would either be i'm
possible or result in disorganization. En-
lightencd selfshness demands their con-
tinuancc.
A few may be used to illustrate the
proposition and at the same time in
dictate how steady has been the progress
of the state in all that characterizes a
humane, generous and an enlightened
people. The work done, the expense
thereof to the state and the condition
of The departments chosen for this pur-
pose will at the same time be seen.
The Public Schools.
Free common schools throughout the
entire state were first established in the
year 1871. Today all children, of parents
foreign or native, may land between
the years of and ~ musO avail
themselves of the education there accord
cd. Three hundred and twenty-five
thousand five hundred and seyenty-five
children attended these schools dur
in the year, and $2,333, $50 were raised
and spent for their education. Nearly
$4,000 were spent for the normal and
model schools, where those intending to
teach are taught. The fund-the income
Of which is used for school purposes
derived from various sources, amounted
to So, 500, 6S2.62 at the close of the year.
The School For the Deaf was founded
in 1882. At the close of the year 1873
pupils were receiving the special training
there given, at a cost to the state for the
year of $4,000
For the purposes of Industrial educa-
ton the outlay was $43, 1920.
When the century began the insane
were housed in novels and huts, with
little and insufficient care for their well
being and physical comfort Slight of
little regard was had for their resto-
ration. They were not then the wards
of the STATE. Now they are confined in
asylums and are given the care which
humanity demands. The state maintains
the INDECENT. They numbered in October
last, in both the state and county asy-
lums, 4,423 and cost the state the sum
of $685., 216.79. The buildings where
they find shelter and comfort were i'm
proved or repaired at the expense of
$132, 801.76.
In 1901 convicted criminals were,
happily, few in number. Whether those
confined and unconfined are now greater
in proportion to the population is a
matter about which opinions differ
Whatever may be the truth, the state
then paid less than $4,000 each year for
keeping those who were confined. The
total number of prisoners last year was
1851. During the year 500 were dis
charged, and ,091 remained at its close
within the prison walls. For the sup
port of those convicted there were spent
$193 ,065.65 and for furnishing and re-
pairs to the prison buildings $11 1886. %.
The cost was reduced by sol 1884. 40,
which sum represents the earnings of
the inmates under the wise and careful
management of the prison officials.
Humane Treatment of Criminals.
The gradual introduction of more
rational and humane treatment of its
criminals strikingly indicates the adj
vance of the state along the lines of prog
ress. Now the purpose of confinement
is twefold, protection with punishment,
and reformation, if possible The state
separately confines its younger criminals
and incorrigibles of both sexes in institu-
tions especially provided 1t established
the State Home For Boys in the year
1866 and the State Home For Girls in
the year 1871. At the close of the year
the inmates in the home for boys num-
bered 3IS, and in the home for girls lis.
For the maintenance of the former the
state paid S57,194.97, and spent $4,000
for improvements The home for girls
cost $24, 1850, and a new and much
needed building required $4,000.
For the completion of the rcformatory
ut Railway it gave 100000.
On account of the feeble minded chill
dren and the feeble minded women, and
for the support and education of tie
blind, the payments during the fiscal year
amounted to about 100000.
One of the largest items of expenditure
was that in aid of state roads. Annual v
S150,000 are spent on this account. The
money so used insures comfort in trayt
and an ease of communication in marked
contrast to that which prevailed at tie
commencement of the century. Few
states have shown equal progress in
this respect. The example shown ly
view JERSEY HAS cnOOuidSeQ IL HO1eIuc1C
4or better roads throughout the Union,
and its plan is being widely followed.
The state first loaned its aid in 1892, and
its contributions amount to $685., 31S.55.
With the help SO given there have been
built 500 miles of roads. In the year
just closed 1929 miles were built, and
64.99 miles were in process of con-
struction or under contract for building.
Application has been made for aid in the
construction of 1876 additional miles,
Mention may also be made of the pay
ments on account of the homes for the
veteran soldiers, amounting to a little
more than $4,000; for the treatment of
epileptics, amounting to about SAT, 600,
and to payments more especially in the
interest of those engaged in agriculture,
on account Of the agricultural expert
ment station and the state board Of
agriculture, which amounted to about
$4,000.
The foregoing are a few only of the
many objects which did not exist at the
beginning of the century. and for which
large annual payments are now neces-
sary and, in most instances, desirable
They are not presented as excuses for a
reckless or extravagant disposition of the
public funds, but as illustrations of the
nature and growth in amount of some of
the disbursements. They serve at the