The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-01-14

Of the institution has more than
trebled in the total number as we'll as
in the daily average, under care the
total annual expenses have by
rigid economy been kept at
.hout the same figures, while the
cost per patient has been re-
duced over one hundred dollars. The
specific appropriation for support
nroper has been about 500, 10000 fer
nearly twenty years.
In his report for 1900 Supt. BabcocN
expressed the opinion that it was
doubtful in view of the present pri-
ces of food stuffs and supplies whether
the maintenance or support OF patients
can again be met for S100, 100000. For
the next year it is probable that :he
sum total for this item will be above
sos .OO0.0O." The result has been as
predicted. and the necessities Of the
hospital have required an average
monthly expenditure of over S9,COOVe'
and the opinion is now advanced oy
the Superintendent that for the next
few years the monthly expenses 1oT
SUPPORT alone will average SlO,GO00O
In view of the figures above SHOWN
and the expenses for maintaining the
insane elsewhere the question suggests
itself whether a too rigid economy mas
not heretofore been exercised in the
MANAGEMENT of the finances OF the
Hospital.
AS to the prospect of reducing the
number of admissions the Board OF
REGENTS make clear in their report that
their conception of the proper man
agement of their charge lies in the dl"
rection of the broadest philanthrop!
and charity with the greatest good 70
the greatest number. The Regent5
therefore hesitate to restrict the r:gnt
Of admission of any bona fide clt!zeE
o4 our State who may require asylum
care, and they are especially guarded
against recommending the refucal OF
shelter to dependent old people, Wno
would rightly fall to the custody Oh
poor-houses if these county retreats
made adequate provision for the aged
and helpless.
That the institution is imposed upon
in the forced reception Of non-resi-
dents I have during the past year hao
personal experience and knoWleaSe
from corresponding with Officials O.
two ne:grboring States, who we're pro
bibi+ei by law from placing persons
formerly residentssof this state IN theiF
charitable institutions. This question
- ..so++lomont as it is technically
called. has been referred 70 the Cen
eral Assembly for some years, but no
action has been taken. 1t Would no"
appear that it is question OF growing
Importance and that selS-preserVatlon
now demands that we restrict he
right OF admission of non-resldents 10
the Hospital as has been done by our
neighboTs. g.
The Regents and SuperintendentS
call attention to the need for tfe eA-
pansion and development Of the hos
pital of a small area of land-three ana
a quarter acres-adjoining the present
grounds of the negro building ana
recommend it's purchase at aOoat
81 10000 one thousand dollars betng
Maid annually until the whole is palo:
AS the ultimate benefit to the HosplIai
Of this land will be great IN compar-
ison with the annual appropriatlon
asked for, I join in the recommends
ton. 49,. u
THE STATE PENIThNTIARY. ~.
The annual report of this INSTITUTION
will be submitted to you. The year Just
closed has been a hard one on Rlost
farmers, and the State farms have not
been an exception. Especially nave the
State farms suffered, as a large pot,
tion of the land lies on the river AMI
is subject to overflow. The year mas
been very unsatisfactory agricultural
". The oat crop in the swamp lands
was entirely lost. Thre& STANDS OF
corn were drowned by the oVerHoW OF
the bottom lands and, therefore, out
little corn was made. The crop Oh lne
upland was fairly good.
The new prison building has been
completed and adds much to the COM
fort and health Of the prisoners.
The institution, however, has Done
remarkably we'll and makes a good
showing, even through great loss was
sustained on account Of the high wa
ters. and evidences careful and pra-
dent management on the part OF the
SUPERINTENDENT and the Board OF d.
rectors. 's. g..
CONVICT STATEMENT. IT,.
Prisoners in confinement De-
cenbar 81, 1900 ............: iSo