Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-12-28
STATE CHARITIES
Annual Report Just Received
 Shows What Has Been Done.


 Hartford, Dec 28.--An advance copy of the annual report of the state board of charities for the fiscal year 1906 was presented to the governor to-day. The complete report will be a volume of about 175 pages, contain ing reports of visits to institutions, tables of statistics, etc., and will be ready for distribution in about a month.
 The report reviews the conditions existing in 1Ov institutions with which the board has to deal in addi- tion to the almshouses or other pro- vision for the care of town poor in the 168 towns of the state. A large majority of the institutions visited is said to give evidence of efficient man. agement and suitable treatment of the inmates, but recommendation for improvements are made in sev- eral instances. The following recom- mendations are made to the incoming general assembly for legislative ac- tion:
 1. That the indeterminate sen- tence law of 1901 be amended so as to effect its more liberal application by the courts.
 2. That a state reformatory be es- tablished.
 5. That all of the county jails be placed under control of state board of prisons.
 4. That special provision be made for the care of sane epileptics of any age.
 For the support in whole or in part of such of the institutions men, toned as receive state aid there was expended by the state during the year a total of $1,216,357, of which $S65,561 was devoted to mainte- nance. supervision, etc, and $350,- 795 was appropriated for buildings. Both Of these sums are the lagest re- corded in recent years, and it is be- lieved 1t Is the first time in the his- tory Of the state that the total an- nual expenditure in the department or charities and correction has passed the million mark.
 Examination shows that all hut $20.000 of the sum appropriated for buildings was devoted to develop ment of the new hospital for the in- sane at Norwich. As compared with the amount expended for mainten- ance S77O.08S in 1905, the total of $S65,o6l so expended in 1906 shows q marked increase in several direc- tions. This is especially noticeable in the case of the insane, the first full year of work at the Norwich hospital showing an expenditure of S2S, S,4OS as with $4.422 in 1905, while the hospital at Mlddletown also shows an increase from S176.525 to SlSo.1W. The addition of three new hospitals to the list of state-aided in- stitutions, viz: St Vincent's at Bridgeport: the Hartford hospital branch. for tuberculosis at Cedar and the New Haven Coun- ty Sanatorium for tuberculosis at increases materially the states expenditures for this class of beneficent organizations. A consider able advance Is noted. also. in the net sum devoted to the care of sick and disabled soldiers from $67.741 in 1905 tO $9S.244 In 1900. after deductlng the amounts received from the national government for this purpose. The steadily growing number of children In the care of the county temporary homes has increased the states ex- penses fin the department from S13.- POP. 1906 to $S5.9S2. 1aO6. Other lnsti- tutions show increased expenditures of great or less extent due to the in- creased number of inmates and the advancing cost of supplies. On the whole 1t is believed that the appro- priatlons are administered with req sonable economy and with ,iue re- gard to the welfare of the beneilclar- les.
 At the state prison 1t is said that the high standards of management md discipline which have been cstab- ished by the present warden have been we'll maintained and the insti- tution may fairly be considered one If the best conducted of it's kind in he country. The prison Is one of he few institutions in the state to show a decreased demand upon the ,tate treasury. So few prisoners have been paroled under he indeterminate law of 1901 that this re- 'ormatory measure. as applied by he courts at present. Is practically of 10 value. Reference Is made to the ieed of a state reformatory for young men too old for the boys school at Iferiden and for young women too i'd for the Industrial school at Mid- lletown. for both of which classes the influence of the county jails is very The operation of the probation law. as amended in 1905. Is highly commended and it Is stated hat the law now needs simply liberal md judIcious application rather than my special amendments.
 In regard to the county jails. the arger jails where regular employ nent is provided for the inmates are aid to meet all reasonable require nents in the way of cleanliness. good ,rder and decent comfort. but some fl the smaller jails are deficient in hese respects. IL is believed that ,etter results would be accomplished f all of the jails were placed under ! he control of a state board of prison 4