Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-07-18
THE COUNTY FARM PICNIC
In Commemoration of the Twen-
tieth Anniversary of the Open
ing of the Asylum.
MANY PEOPLE PRESENT
From all Parts of the County, to
Meet Each Other and to See the
Public Institutions.
THE PROGRAM.

In response to the invitation issued
by the trustees and superintendent, a
large number of people assembled at
the Iowa county farm last Friday af-
ternoon to enjoy a basket picnic, in
conmemoration of The twentieth ami
versary of the opening of the asylum.
Out of a rainy week, came the day,
bright and clear, and especially pleas
ant, as if for the occasion. The farm,
one OF the finest in the state, and high
ly cultivated, was beautiful in luxuri-
ant vegetation. The appearance OF
buildings and grounds surrounding
spoke plainly Of industry and highly
capable management.
The Dodgeville band was present
and rendered good music.
Hon. James Spensley and Hon. E.
G. Fielder, who were on the program
for addresses, were both unVOidably
absent. Mr.. Spensley was called to
Galena on account of the death of the
wife of his brother Judge William
Spensley. Professional duties detain-
ed Attorney E. c. Fielder at home.
Rev. Jenkin-Lloyd Jones was pres
ent, and upon request he invoked the
divine blessing.
Superintendent E. ]. Perkins made
short speech of welcome and requested
Colonel Richard Carter to speak and
to preside.
Col. Carter delivered a brief but
very pleasant address which was well
received. He spoke in high apprecia-
tion of the excellent management of
the county institution by Superintend-
ent Perkins, and by Mrs. Perkins,
now passed from this life. He then
called on Robert M. Crawford, who
spoke substantially as follows:
1.-THE public institutions which we
see here before US speak for them
selves. They tell one story. They
testify in the strongest manner pos
sible to the wisdom of those pioneer
citizens who in prophetic vision saw
the need of their construction and
maintenance. The people of the whole
county know of the great work which
has been done along this line; and
they know that it is good. We are
now all of one mind upon this point.
But such was not the case twenty-five
years ago when the real founders OF
the asylum we're trying to persuade
the people of the county to vote in
favor of the required bonds. The
vote upon that proposition was not
easily secured; and when secured, was
not altogether unanimous. But, for
tunately, the good work was accom-
plished; and the logic of events has
conclusively proved it's wisdom.
"While honOring the memory OF the
founders of this asylum we can find in
their life work valuable lessons in re-
gard to our own present and future
duty. They were politicians, and took
an active and intelligent interest in
the affairs of local self government.
Some of them were prominent in state
as we'll as county politics. Among
them was that honored citizen, the late
DR.. J. H. Vivian. He was then a
member of the state board of Chari-
ties and Reform; and it was while SER
wing in such official capacity that he
learned the need of and caught the
inspiration for building a county
asylum.
ut is very fortunate that the people
of the county were influenced by this
inspiration and gave it practical force
and effect. The trustees of the asylum
now want to make some additions and
permanent improvements to the build
ings; but at the last session Of the
county board of supervisors their re-
quest in this regard was denied. The
presumption is, that in their present
purpose the are trustees as wise as
were the men who originally establish
ed the institution. And the matter
ought to be talked up throughout the
county, so as to create a public senti-
ment for favorable action in this mat
ter by the county board.
"The founders of these institutions
were politicians; and it is to their
honor that they were politicians.
Every citizen ought to take part in