Sixteenth annual report of the New York Asylum for Idiots : transmitted to the Legislature, January 17, 1867 / New York State Asylum for Idiots.

  • New York State Asylum for Idiots.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sixteenth annual report of the New York Asylum for Idiots : transmitted to the Legislature, January 17, 1867 / New York State Asylum for Idiots. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    lating to our Asylum, enacted some fifteen years ago, and copied from an enactment in regard to another institution, which dates back a third of a century, we are required to clothe some 80 pupils, at an annual expense to the counties from which they come, not exceeding twenty dollars each. This is manifestly inadequate, and has been so recognized by the Legislature, which, by an enactment two years since, raised the allowance for clothing the pupils in the case of the two other State educational establishments, from $20 to $30 each. The clothing bills for the State pupils the last year were at least $800 in excess of the provision b}^ the counties to meet them. The in deb te dm ss of the Asylum, including the cost of support of five additional State pupils, on the 1st of October, 1866, is not much less than $3,000. The annual appropriation for the Asylum still remains at the old figures, $21,000. A year ago the trustees asked that this should be raised to $24,000. As our report wuis not presented until after the appropriation bill was made up by the committee of ways and means of the Assembly, the request was not granted. We shall need, therefore, in the supply bill of the present year, $6,000 to meet the deficiencies of the past and present fiscal year. In view of the increased number of State pupils, the annual appro¬ priation for the coming year should be $26,000. When the present Asylum was built, it will be remembered, it Was assumed by the board of trustees that it would accommodate about as many pupils as should be gathered in any one establish¬ ment. Its capacity was sufficient for 140 pupils. This assump¬ tion was made without any actual experience to guide them. After an interval of a dozen years, those concerned in its management would not be disposed to question the wisdom of this opinion of t le board, as a general principle. The organization and the arrangements have seemed like those of a family rather than of an institution. This has led to a harmonious action of all concerned in the administration of its affairs, and so added to its efficiency. It has secured the confidence of those who have submitted their children to its care. It has doubtless added to the economy of the care and support of those for whom it wras designed. At all events, it has enabled the financial affairs of the institution to be s so managed that an examination at any time would readily show whether these were wisely administered or otherwise. One practical difficulty, however, has embarrassed those in im-