The Democratic advocate., 1907-08-16

various private charities is commendable,
but to neglect to appropriate sufficient
funds to enable the Board of Visitors to
obey the express provisions of the Act of
1894 is matter of great regret, not only
to a sympathetic public, but to great
mass of taxpayers, who readily perceive
the economy of eradicating, at its source,
and preventing the further spreading Of
this ever increasing disease, the burden Of
which falls upon them either directly or
indirectly.
1t is calculated that eighty per cent. of
the children of feeble minded parents are
feeble minded, and the reproduction of
these alarmingly increase, and whole fami-
lies, generation after generation are found
in our almshouses. Many scarcely able to
distinguish right from wrong are incarcer-
ated in our prisons, where am informed
that over one-third of those undergoing
punishment show in their manner and
physical deformities, unmistakable weak
ness of mind. Many go on developing
more and greater mental deficiencies until
an insane asylum becomes their home.
Many are in eleemosynary institutions
which receive aid from the State. Lastly
many are born to worthy, but poor, de-
voted parents who fondly watch over and
care for their imbecile offspring, day after
day, unable to go forth to earn precari-
Gus livelihood. This unhappy home, through
no fault of the inmates gradually becomes
burden upon the public, unless relief is
offered. Let us take these children from
our almshouses, where the expense of
keeping them is great, and send them to
the feeble minded institution, where they
will be properly trained and cared for,
nurse the ray of intellect that may be in
them and the State will not have so many
insane to care for. Let us gather the in
cipient criminal, who is not able to fully
understand what he should and what he
should not do, into home where he might
be educated to do what is right, and the
expenses of your criminal courts will de-
crease and your prison houses will not have
to be enlarged. Let private charity turn
its benevolent eyes to other fields of use
fulness. Let US free our public schools
from imbeciles who are stumbling block
to both teachers and scholars, and most of
all relieve poor struggling families, by Civ
ing to their feeble minded children, hap
py home prepared by the intelligent tax
payers, who will willingly contribute the
cost.
The State itself is the only agency by
which the feeble minded may be humanely
and mercifully, but firmly, taken in hand and
placed where they can be utterly prevented
from producing evils touched upon. Does
not every sentiment of humanity and pity
and business demand that the State shall
take this step? 1t would mean the ex-
penditure of some money, it is true, but it
would save in time to come so great sum
of money that the expenditures now
needed to provide for these people would
seem beside it, comparatively small
Endowed with an affectionate disposition
and cheerful nature, these children are
easily made happy and contented, unmind-
ful of the restraint placed upon them.
No corporal punishment is necessary or
permitted. The rapid progress made by
those who have sufficient understanding to
be educated in elementary principles is
astonishing, and compares most favorably
with children in the public schools. They
are taught basket making, lace weaving,
sewing, laundry work, servants duties,
farm labor, and road making excavations,
and other pursuits, and naturally diminish
the expenses of the institution. The in
stitution has Woman's Aid Society COM
posed of number of noble minded women,
who visit the Institute and carefully look
after the comfort and welfare of these
children, make suggestions and monthly
reports to the Board of Visitors and gener-
ously contribute of their own means to give
pleasure and entertainment, such as the
Board does not feel itself authorized to
use the States money for.
Allinmates admitted into this Institution
and supported by the State, become ware
of the State, subject to the custody and
under the control of the Board of Visitors,
and shall not be discharged from the reform
until they shall cease to be menace to
society, and become mentally and physically
capable of earning livelihood. 1t being
the intention and scope of the Laws,
vigorously to stamp out this frightful
plague, to attack it at the fountain head
and eradicate it as far as wise and proper
legislation can effect this end.
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