The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-22

General Conditions in Various Institu-
 sions Are Fouud to be Excsiient-Ex-
 travacance In County Jaiis scored
 and the Generalization of some of
 Them Proposed.
 Hartford. Jan 22.--The twenty-second annual report of the State Board of Charities for the fiscal year, 1905, has just been presented to the government In accordance with custom, the reports printed only biennially, so the report for the year under review is presented in typewriter form and will be printed with the report for the current year for distribution before the next session of the General Assembly The report is comprehensive one and notes the condi- tions existing in ninety charitable and correctional institutions with which the board has to deal in addition to the almshouses in eighty-eight towns and the other. provision for poor-relief which is made in the remaining eighty towns of the state. A large proportion of the institutions are reported as in excellent condition, but continued de- fects by the board for their improve ment. Recommendations to this effect are made in several instances and re- jew is given of the legislation of 1903 concerning matters of charity and cor rection.
 The expense to the state for the maintenance and supervision of the in stitutions mentioned was $733,639, show ing an increase over the amount so ex- pended in 1902 which was s660o73. The increase is chiefly noticeable in the case of the Hospital for the Insane at Mid- dletown, the American School for the Deaf and the Institute for the Blind in Hartford, and the Soldiers Home at Noroton, and may be accounted for by the increase in the number of state beneficiaries. The amount expended by the state for buildings, etc, was only $49,992, much less than in recent years, making the total expense for mainte- nance and buildings, $7S36S1, as com pared with total of $S53,1 in 1902. The cost to the towns for the support and assistance of dependent poor was $770, making total expense to state and towns of $1,554,011 in the depart ments of charity and correction. AL though the total sum is a large one there is reason to believe that on the whole it is well expended.
 The state prison is highly commended for continued excellence in all depart ments, and the earnings of the inmates are reported as well maintained in spite of the fact that the average num- Der of prisoners present has been the smallest in recent years. Recommen- dation is made, however, for an amend ment of the indeterminate sentence law in order that it's principles may have a fairer test than the courts at present give them.
 The report reviews the efforts made in the last legislature for the establish ment of a state reformatory and ex- press hope that the work of the com mission appointed will result success fully and that a department for women may be added to the proposed institu- ton at an early date.
 At the school for boys in Meriden the work of the Industrial Training Depart ment is well spoken of and the intro- duction is urged of every practical expe- dient in the life of the school which will inspire the boys with worthy ambitions. The addition is recommended also. of a gymnasium and of a separate cottage hospital.