New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-04
CHARITIES AND INSANE.

More patients have been discharged as recovered
last mast than for any year heretofore report
ed The humber of patients discharged in an i'm
net increase Of oGr state hospital population
has been the lowest for any one year OF the PAST
The steady improvement that has been going on
In fh9 of tgBe STATE Of for the ten years s
continues and the institutions are I9r tie
sus reports show that in no other State OF the the
Union is such o generous institutions and
hospitals for the insane cost the State upward OF
cost Of any other department Of the state govern
ment The State approPrates a9oHf $4,000 80 .cp fo o
its judiciary, prisons and national guard STATE ae
annually, and the legislature about the same
amount. Charities and insane represent ABOUT 50
fnent The State is the greatest of modern philan,
thropsts 1t should care foI at pupG expense a
not properly State charges 1t should MAINTAIN us
and nnt or tR Re 5ee Of individuals
should be just, rather than generous. It should
nt ft homes It should give equal attention TO
the prevention and TO the cure Of poverty ana as
PhilanthropIo people, and organizations may g, be
ton that our hospitals and charity homes being
exploited by politics or business The crowded
evils of congested centres Of population warn us
that health life and decency are 9S
crime. If the State causes poverty KIND treat
prevent insanity is a greater problem than how TO
treat The insane To endeavor to prevent the I'M
happy conditions fruitlessly trying 10 cure
or relieve to-day should be our aim
The Craig Colony for Epileptics is IN need or q
large new building for the treatment OF tmbecile
and insane epileptcs and those requiring cusodial
care who cannot be treated to advantage by the
cottage system, but better and more econom-
icalIy be cared for in single building: Provision
should be made for such a building, which should
be plain and simple IN construction put OF aQS
ouate size to receive that class Of epilepucs still
Confined in the county almshouses.
The Department of Labor cannot adequately DIS
charge the duties imposed upon 1t by law without
a SUFFICIENT force of active and capable inspectors
properly remunerated. Thrty-three inspectors now
tnspect approximately 5000 factories and from
10 600 to 1900 tenements in New-York City Inc
number never too large, is less than 1t was prior
to 1901 The department is crippled for ehectlve
work particularly in the centres OF population
where the greatest vigilance is required. It has
neither the force the time to compel compliance
with the law. recommend such an increase IN inc
number of factory inspectors as may pc necessdly
to enable the department to do systematic ana
thorough work 1t would be well In this connec-
ton to grade salaries and make provision for the
promotion Of efficient and experienced employees
and those possessing special qualifications:
Labor advises me that the free employment bureau
maintained by the State in New-York City is OF
doIIbtfuI expediency. IN effect the bureau mas
become an intelligence Office for women domestic
servants. 1t seems unnecessary for the state 70
continue to maintain this agency. State reguIatlon
and supervision of private employment agencies
would have a more far-reachng and benehclal
effect upon the labor situation in the state IN
general.