USA > Michigan > Michigan state gazetteer and business directory, 1877 Volumme III (v.1) > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
We need to give this subject our earnest attention, to care more for the depth and
breadth of our education than we do for the heighth of our school-house tower; to pur- sue the substance and neglect the shadow ; to make our schools the laboratory in which men are made. Idleness is the cause of more misery and crime than all else besides --- of 889 men in the State Prison in 1875, 793 had never been apprenticed, and of 334 received in 1876, 17 only had ever been ap- prenticed. If our education is not made more practical, the ranks of the idle will constantly increase, not from choice, but simply because they have no knowledge of how to do anything well.
Our high and graded schools need to pro- vide more technical instruction at once. If it is in the province of legislation to direct or control in this matter, I ask your thought- ful attention to the subject.
The educators of Europe are pointing their energies in this direction. In this connection I desire to call your attention to the special report of the Rev. D. C. Jacokes, who had charge of our educational department at the Centennial Exposition, upon this subject, gathered from what he saw there of other systems and other countries.
Give to our special schools, to the Univer- sity, to our common schools every possible assistance in this work that can consistently be given with a due regard to economy.
NORMAL SCHOOL.
This department of our system of education is steadily iniproving. The attendance for 1874 was 486 ; for 1875, 630 ; for 1876, 722. The graduating class in r$76 numbered 79. Over 6,000 students have attended this insti- tution since its opening in IS53. The condi- tion of its funds, at the close of the fiscal year, was as follows :
Due from purchasers of lands at
7 per cent. $16,229 72 Trust Funds in Treasury drawing interest at 6 per cent 53,301 32
$69,531 04
The estimated disbursements for each of the years 1877 and 1878 are : For salaries of teachers, $20, 100; for library and apparitus. $900; for repairs, $1,000 ; other expense .. $2,900. The receipts from interest and tmnt- tion are estimated at $6, 000 per annum, leav. ing a deficiency of $18,300 for each year to be provided for by taxation. The Sene Board of Education, in view of the crow led condition of the school, ask an agenteton of $50,000 for an additional building. They have submitted no plan or estimates, bu it seems to nie that a smaller amount than this would baild a very comme tous and stable structure, It is due to the mangement of
62
MICHIGAN STATE GAZETTEER
the school to say that it has been very mod- est in its requests in the past, and very pru- dent and economical in the expenditureof its appropriations,
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The management of the finances of the College for the past two years has been care- ful and prudent. It is out of debt, and I hope will keep out. The board submit a very careful detailed estimate of receipts and expenditures for the coming two years. They estimate the current expenses at $30,077 per annum, and the receipts from interest and other sources at $21, 840. Leaving a defi- ciency of $16,474 for the two years. They also submit a statement of wants for repairs, new buildings, improvements, library, etc., amounting to $20,062, making a total of $36,536, for which sum they ask an appro- priation. The amount appropriated in 1875 was $29,787. Since this estimate was made the old boarding-hall at the College has been destroyed by fire, and a new one will need to be erected at once. The accommodations for the increasing number of students, even with this hall, have been limited, and a new one would have become necessary within two years, at least. It is proposed, in the crec- tion of a new building, to construct it large enough to accommodate 120 students. The estimate of its cost is $15,000, and I recom- mend an immediate appropriation of this amount, so that work may be commenced at once and the building be ready for the spring term. In view of the necessity of this ap- propriation, I recommend that the items in the estimate of the board for construction of buildings and gas works for the chemical department be stricken out, reducing the estimate $9,265, and making a total appro- priation, including that for the new hall, of $42.271. The board agree with me in this recommendation, though all the items pro- posed to be omitted are much needed.
The college fund, Sept. 30, 1876, was as follows : Trust fund in State Treasury, SIS,- 827 68 ; due from purchasers of land, $III,- 334 65 ; all drawing interest at 7 per cent. Unsold lands belonging to college at same date. 164,799 acres. The number of students in 1375, 156; in 1876, 166-an increase over the preceding two years of 58. Graduates in 1875-6, 33; in IS73-4, 36. Inventory of property, $252,268, an increase in two years of $20,86o. I am satisfied that the college is in better condition and doing better work than ever before. It is not only educating the students under its roof, but the president and faculty, through a system of farmers' institutes held throughout the State, are en . bisting the good will and sympathy of the people. If it teaches labor, if it impresses
upon our youth the dignity and honor of la- bor, its establishment will prove a success : if not, it will be a failure.
THE UNIVERSITY.
Each succeeding year opens to the Uni- versity new field, of labor-increasing de- mands upon its resources-and stronger claims upon our consideration.
The number of students in 1875 was 1, 193: in IS76, 1,127. Degrees conferred in 1875, 370; in 1876 410.
Its resources are :
Trust funds in the hands of the State $344,855 7S Due from purchasers of land. 102,693 81
Drawing interest at 7 per cent $447,549 59 . The Legislature of 1875, establishing a school of mines, a chair of architecture and design, and of dental surgery, has already accomplished more than its most earnest ad. vocates anticipated. The dental school has so many students that an additional professor is needed. The class in mining, architec- ture and design numbers 25. An impetus has been given technical education that must in time be of great practical value to the State. The appropriations for these new branches made in 1875 were for two years only. Their success demands their renewal, with an addition of $2,oco for an. other professor in the dental school.
The Board of Regents desire to further in- crease the usefulness of the University in this direction, and to this end suggest the creation of a chair in physics and geology. The amount required to do this will be $5,000 annually for the salaries of two professors, and $2,500 for apparatus for physical and physiological laboratory.
Were the times more auspicious, and other demands not so pressing, the regents would earnestly urge upon you the necessity of a new library building; they now suggest it only. The University has outgrown the pre- sent building. There is not room in it for reading purposes or for books. The library is so important an element in the success of the University. important as an aid in edu. cational work. important in its governing power over a body of students in furnishing mental recreation, that I beg to commend the suggestion of the regents to your con- sideration. Our University occupies a position in the front rank of educational institutions ; it is giving to Michigan a reputation all ors the world ; it is drawing hundreds of families to the State yearly, as permanent residents. and we ought to foster it in all ways, not with extravagance, but with persistence, economy and care.
-200
63
AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
EASTERN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE,
Work was begun upon this building in 1575, by Messrs Coots and Topping, who were the lowest bidders, for the sum of $306,384, and has progressed very favorably up to this time. The brick and stone work is completed, and the roof nearly finished. It is expected that it will be ready for occu- pancy, by February 1, 1878. The plans were prepared by E. E. Myers, architect. Dr. VanDeusen gave us the benefit of his large experience in the general internal plan and arrangements. The style of architec- ture is that known as Norman, and the building will be one of the best for that purpose in the country. The contractors have performed their work very satisfac- torily to the board, under the faithful super- inteudence of C. M. Wells.
Very full details of all the expenditures will be found in the report of the board and superintendent. . Estimates have been made by the board for furnishing the Asylum ready for occupancy, amounting to $109,708. It is estimated that there will be remaining $27.830 from the building fund, leaving the sum of $81,950, for which the board ask your appropriation. These estimates have been very carefully prepared in detail, and I judge with a due regard for economy and simplicity. I recommend an appropriation of the amount or so much thereof as may be necessary, divided equally in the tax.roll of 1878 and 1879.
As this Asylum will be ready for the reception of patients before another meeting of the Legislature, it will also be your duty to provide for its maintenance, management, and government. The present law only applies to the Asylum at Kalamazoo.
MICHIGAN ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
The completion of the new department has enabled this institution to extend its kindly care to every new applicant. The number of inmates September 30, 1874, was 451 ; September 30, 1876, 618. The total number treated in the past two years was 1,016, an increase of 45 per cent. over the preceding biennial period. The weekly ex- penses for each patient for the two years ending September 30, 1876, was $4.87, a decrease of 45 cents from the two previous years.
The Board of Trustees ask special appro- Friations, to b_ expended in 1877-78 as fol- lows :
For creation of three detached buildings - male department -.. for shops, recreation room, ric . . ...... .$23,000 00
For extraordinary repairs and renewals ...
2,000 00
New washing machine $ 300 00 Woven wire mattresses. 2,500 00
For new floor in basement-fe- male department ... 700 00
Deficiency in appropriation for connecting building and stone flags-female department,. 289 76
Deficiency in appropriation of 1875 for rebuilding laundry, boiler-house, new boiler, etc ... 3,900 00 Deficiency in amount appropri- ated for laundry purposes ....... 307 41 Addition to appropriation already made for stone porches .. 3,Sco 00
Ice-house, new vegetable cellar, and other small items. 2,202 63
Total $40,000 00
All of these requests are for necessary objects, some of them absolutely so. In view of the necessary expenditures in furn- ishing the new asylum at Pontiac, it may be wise to defer the building of the porches for the present, though they are really needed; and the erection of one of the three pro- posed buildings should, perhaps, be post- poned. The balance of the items asked for are imperatively necessary, and in iny opin- ion should be granted.
The usual annual appropriation of $17,- 500, for deficiency in current expenses, will also be required. The report of the super- intendent and board survey is very full in its details and replete with information on the subject of the treatment of the insane. I need not ask for this institution your gener- ous consideration, as its work is its ablest advocate.
The report of the superintendents of the poor gives 1,006 as the total number of insane in the State in 1875. The number in IS76 is 1,193. As this estimate includes those in a private asyhim in Wayne county, and a few that are more properly imbeciles, it is the opinion of Dr. Van Deasen that the real number is between 1,000 and 1,100.
The completion of the Insane Asylum at Pontiac, will enable us to provide suitable care in State asylums for every one of these : and I trust its opening may be celebrated by the immediate transfer from our county bouses and jails of all their insane occupants to their sheltering care. I earnestly urge legislation to this end, and to provide further, that so long as the two asylums have icom. no insane person-not a criminal- - shall hereafter be placed in any post -Note we county asylum, jad or prison. Every consul- eration of humanity and of real commons demands this, and I feel assured that no argument need be made, or statistics shown. to insure the passage of such a law.
64
MICHIGAN STATE GAZETTEER
The liberal provision made for the care of the insane shows that the State has indeed adopted them as its wards. The expense to the counties for the care of the indigent insane is a very heavy burden, though borne as a rule cheerfully and willingly. Would it not be well to provide that after an indi- gent insane patient has been cared for at the expense of the county for three years, they shall thereafter become a State charge ? I am of the opinion that such a provision of law would be wise and proper, and produc- tive of great good to the people and patient.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
This wisest of our State charities presents its budget of work and wants in the biennial reports of its managers.
Since its opening 412 children have been received, mostly from the poor-houses of the State. The averageage of its inmates is 9 years. Homes have been found for 117 of these children, and 225 were remaining Sep- tember 30, 1576, being all that can be cared for. The current expenses . for the year were $27,612 51, an average of $126 66 for each child. When it is remembered that this institution is not a permanent home, but only a doorway to home for the houseless, homeless, poor-house children of the State, and that while under its care they must be clothed, fed and educated, it will be seen that the expenditure per capita is very slight. From its first opening to the pres- ent time it has been most economically con- ducted. The board estimate the current expenses at $33,000 per annum, and they ask for this and other purposes the sum of $90,000 for the ensuing two years. Of this sum $5,000 is for deficit account, on the erection of the new cottages and the con- struction of a new sewer. The necessity of these expenditures was submitted to me, and they seemed of such absolute importance. to the health of the school, that I cordially approved of them though creating an indebt. edness.
In the estimates of the board $1,000 is asked for the purpose of paying the expenses of an agent in finding homes for the children. As a similar appropriation is asked for else- where, I recommend that this item be strick- en out, and that the balance asked for, viz, $89.000, be granted. It must be borne in mind that these children, for whom this ap- propriation is asked, if not under the shel- tering care of this institution, would be in the post homes of the state, so that the money expended from the State Treasury is so much saved to the counties. The State Public School is in no sense a penal institu- tion or a hospital. It is only designed for neglected and dependent children of sound
mind and body, and free from criminal tair . -- yet some others will unavoidably and their way into it. Though fally deserving its care and benefit, they should not be kept in the school, owing to their influence upon the rest. The board should be given power. under careful restrictions, to return to the Counties idiotic and permanently diseased children, There are very few such childre: now in the school, who can acquire no good for themselves by remaining, and whose presence is injurious to their more fortunate comrades. I commend this institution t. your consideration as one of the means that will by and by save you the expense of another prison ; as an institution that will in time make other institutions unnecessary -- provided that the underlying idea of it- founders, viz : that it is only a temporary home, be always kept in mind.
THE REFORM SCHOOL,
I desire to call your especial attention to the reports of this institution for IS75 and IS;6. "After many days, " it is now a reform school -- the bars and iron doors have disau- peared-the high fence that walled it in is kindling wood. And the results are-no corporal punishment,' no escapes since its opening, less destruction of State property. a general tone of comfort and cheerfulness in all its surroundings, and a brighter, better look in the faces of the boys. The general outfit of the school is greatly improved. The table and furnishing, the clothing, etc, are better than heretofore, and all tend to lift this institution out of the prison mire, and on to the higher plane of a school. The expen- ses for the two years ending September 30. 1876, have been $61,773 46 besides the amount received for the labor of the boys and other sources. Of this amount, $17.655 46 has been expended under special appropria- tions, made in 1873 and 1875, and $44 .. 584 for current expenses.
All the buildings are now lighted wit !: gas, a new boiler and oven has been put in : a new fence, wood shed and play.shed erected: the main building thoroughly repaired and painted inside and out, and roofed with tin ; a water tower and tank have been built. with iron piping through the grounds and building, with 6 tire hydrants ; a large number of fruit trees and vines have been planted and! many other permanent improvements made There is room for ico more inmates than 1: How contains, and I can see no necessity to: Ment improvements for many years to come The board asks appropriations of $25,000 15 annum for the years 1877 and 1875 for carre i expenses, $2,500 for each year for repairs and improvements, and $ 500 each year for the
65
-
AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
!rury. I am of the opinion that with the increasing productive capacity of the farm, All in view of the fact that the buildings and grounds are in complete repair, that the amount asked for repairs is not needed, and that $26,000 per annum are amply sufficient fir current expenses, including repairs and improvements of every nature. The amount a ked for the library is none too large.
The average number in the school for 1875 was 241, for 1876, 230; average age of boys when received, 13} years.
The receipts from the labor of the boys Have decreased very largely, and the outlook for remunerative employment in the future is discouraging. The only mechanical labor now being done is chair-bottoming, and this at very low prices, It is of no advantage to the boys when they go out, as it is a business not carried on outside of penal moritutions, and would not support them if , were. The board, superintendent and myself have given earnest thought and much time to the subject of employment that would teach the boys some useful trade, and at the same time add to our revenue, but without success. In the present depressed rundition of our manufacturing industries, there seems to be nothing better than the work the boys are now doing. The farm work is successful in a pecuniary point of view, and highly beneficial in every other way, and with the additions that have been mide to the fruit trees and vines, the board h pe soon to realize an increased revenue frym this source.
The Board of Control again ask that the law authorizing commitments to the school may be amended so that boys of eight years, nstead of 10, may be received from parents without commitment. I have given my views upon this subject elsewhere. They also ask that the limit of detention may be changed from 21 years to IS, and I earnestly Mix this may be done. If a school does not fit a boy to go out at 18, it never will. If he is not fit to go then, he is not fit to stay and demoralize two or three hundred young- et boys. If at 18 a boy after years of instruction and care, of restraint and discip- The, still has his face turned the wrong way, it would seem as if the State charity must cere and let justice take its place. The History of the Reform School shows that there are a few such boys, and it shows fur -- ther that they have been of great damage nel. comrades of more tender years. Le pek for this subject your carnest con- ederation.
In the provision made by the State, re -- forhing vagrant, neglected and dependent Andren, through the State Public School. and for criminal children through the Re- 9
form School, it has followed the old idea of institutional life ; but by far the wisest, most economical, natural, and most humane of all its endeavors in this direction is the work being done by the county agents of the State Board of Charities, under the law of 1873 and 1875. The duties of the county agents are to investigate the case of every child arrested for crime, and to advise with the magistrate as to the disposition to be made of it, to visit all children adopted or inden- tured from the Public or Reform School, to procure homes for children, and generally to keep watch and ward over these waifs who seem to be deserted by every one but the State. They have attended to 252 cases of arrests for crime-224 boys and 28 girls --- that were disposed of as follows : One hundred and eighty-two were discharged under suspended sentence and returned to parents or guardians, 57 were sent to the Reform School, Ir were sent to the House of Correction, and 2 were fined. The aver- age age of children arrested was 1234 years -88 are reported as having lost father, and 57 as having no mother. Of the 182 dis- charged, 12 were sent to the State Public School, 6 to poor houses, and homes were found for 6. The children for whom homes were found from the State Public School, 117 in number, have all been visited, and their situation reported upon to the school. The total expense of this work up to Sep- tember 30, 1876, was $474.45. In addition to these formal duties required by law, they have been of incalculable service in prevent- ing crime, preserving peace in families, restraining cruelty, and in many other ways. If the work of these agents was to be estimated by simply dollars and cents, the amount of money saved to the State, by keep- ing boys out of institutions, would be found to be very large.
A boy at the Reform or Public School, or in a poor house, costs $100 or Saco a year, and when we add to this the escape from the dangers of institutional life, the transfer from dependent to independent life the devel- opment of self help and self-control that is implanted in a child's nature, by the kindly intervention of the State through its agent, we cannot estimate the value of their services. I have appointed agents in 26 counties only, as in some of the newer counties there seemed no immediate necessity, and in others I have been unable to find any one who would accept the appointirent. The position is not an once, pays no salary except expenses, and can only be filled by those who love the work and do it because they live it. The State owes a debt of gratitude to the gentlemen who are acting as those agents that it cannot castly pay. I
+
66
MICHIGAN STATE GAZETTEER
carnestly hope the system may not be changed, except to be improved, and that it may in time be extended into every country. What more sublime spectacle does the cen- tury present than that of a State uot content to be simply a theory or an idea, but a moral Being, with a representative in every com- munity, regardful of its interests, asserting its fatherhood over those children who are to be a part of the State in the future,
I have asked each county agent to give me, in an informal way, such facts as they deemed important regarding their work and their opinion of its value. Their replies are submitted herewith. I commend them to your attention, as the most refreshing read- ing of the day,
Although the State Public School has taken from the poorhouses a large number of children, the reports of the superintendents of the poor show a constant increase of chil- dren in these institutions. In 1872 the number was 583; in 1873, 577; in 1874, 502; in 1875, 734. In this computation are included babes, idiotic, feeble-minded, blind and mutes, but even then the number shocks us. We cannot, must not permit it. That a child reared in a poorhouse is to be a pauper or a prisoner in the future is al- most certain.
We shall never cease building prisons so long as poorhouses are permitted to feed them with inmates. We ought to prohibit by law the placing of a child, mentally and physically healthy, under three years of age, in any poorhouse. Other States have al- ready done so, and we should lose no time in following their example. The State of New York provides that pauper children shall be sent to private institutions and asy- lums instead of poorhouses, the cost of maintenance to be paid by the county. Though we have but few asylums for chil. dren, I am of the opinion that we should enact a similar law, applying it to counties where no such institutions exist. But better far than the best institution, is home, be it ever so humble, if it is sober and honest. We ought to provide legislation that would secure homes for these cinldren, and I am of the opinion that power and money should be given to the State Board of Charities to employ agents for this purpose. Such agents, acting in concert with the county agents and the State Public and Reform Schools, may accomplish more than all else in this direction, -- it all events the experi- ment is worth the trial. Should it fail, and should the State Public School continue the success that has so far attended it, we can then either enlarge its capacity of build an. other. Power should be given under care. ful restrictions to the boards of Control of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.