USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. II > Part 23
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
mates of the New Jersey Home, who are entitled to aid under the rules of the National Asylum. This allowance is creditable to the Managers of the National Asylum, and will enable our State Institution to accomplish its humane and loyal work with- out any appropriation from the State during the current- year beyond that which has already been made. I have always felt that this Home was one of our institutions most worthy of sup- port, and that the destitute and wounded soldiers of the State had a right to its protecting care. The good it has effected and the relief it has afforded are appreciated by all humane and con- siderate citizens."
During the year 1870 five hundred and eighty-nine soldiers and sailors were cared for in the Institution.
From the Sixth Annual Report, made in 1871, we learn that the number of beneficiaries cared for during the year was six hundred and one.
Hon. William K. McDonald, one of the managers, was removed by death, and Colonel E. H. Wright appointed to fill the vacancy.
In 1872 six hundred and eighty were cared for in the Institu- tion. Two hundred and fifty volumes of miscellaneous books were received from the State Library, and deposited in the Institution for the benefit of its inmates.
On the 27th of March, 1873, an act was approved appropri- · ating annually an additional sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for the support of the Home, and a further sum of twelve hun- dred dollars for the purpose of purchasing a burial-place for the beneficiaries of the Home, to be expended under the direction of the Managers, who were authorized to purchase said burial- place.
The number of inmates cared for in the institution during this year was 964.
By an act approved March 21st, 1874, the further sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated for the objects contemplated in the act constituting the Home.
From the Ninth Annual Report, made in 1874, we learn that 1,365 were cared for during the year, showing an increase of seven and one-fifth per cent. as compared with the previous year.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
The report states, that about sixty per cent. of the average number cared for are permanently and totally disabled, and will have to be taken care of until death ends their sufferings.
The expenses of the Home during this year was $45, 191.26.
The library contains three hundred and seven bound volumes and one hundred magazines and pamphlets, besides a large num- ber of illustrated papers. Donations of valuable books and maps have been made by the Hon. Marcus L. Ward ; also of books, by the Hon. George A. Halsey, P. S. Clearman, William N. Mundy ; one hundred Bibles by the Essex County Bible Society, together with a variety of periodicals and papers from a number of ladies and gentlemen. The proprietors of the State Gazette, Jersey City Evening Journal, Staats Frei Zeitung, The Methodist, Christian Advocate, Christian at Work, and American Messenger have generously continued the contribution of their valuable publications.
The report goes on to say : The importance of a good library in connection with the " Home" cannot be over-estimated ; its usefulness is so obvious that it is unnecessary to enumerate its benefits. It is a matter of regret that we have so few standard works of history and fiction, which are the most sought after and eagerly read.
On the 8th of April, 1875, a supplement was approved appro- priating the further sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for the support of the Home.
From the tenth annual report made up to October 31st, 1875, we learn that during the year 1,047 were cared for, being 318 less than the previous year.
Eight hundred and fifteen applications for admission and re- admission were received during the year, of which number one hundred and thirty-nine were rejected by the managers.
Four hundred and twenty-three of the beneficiaries were born in the United States, of which number two hundred and forty- eight were born in this State. Three hundred and twenty-five were born in Ireland ; one hundred and eighty-four in Germany, and one hundred and fifteen in other countries. Over eighty different occupations are recorded, showing thirty-one profes- sional and clerical, six hundred and thirty-three mechanical,
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
seventy-eight agricultural, and three hundred and five laboring pursuits.
Seven hundred and seventy-six of the beneficiaries served in New Jersey regiments ; one hundred and fifty-six in New York ; twenty-seven in Pennsylvania ; thirty-eight in the United States Army and Veteran Reserve Corps; twenty-five in the United States Navy, and twenty-five in regiments of other States. It should be explained that many residents of this State enlisted in the regiments of adjoining States, and that the twenty-five in other States embraces the temporary admissions of destitute and sick. Thirty-eight beneficiaries were under eighteen years of age at the time of their enlistment ; eight hundred and seventy- one between eighteen and forty-five years; one hundred and three between forty-five and fifty-five years, and thirty-five over fifty-five years.
Four hundred and sixty-two received wounds, of which ninety- six were amputations of limbs; one hundred and sixty-two had rheumatism ; eighty-two, pulmonary complaints; thirty-two, eye diseases ; fifty-five, injuries and fractures ; eleven, old age and debility; forty-eight, hernia; twenty-five, varicose veins and ulcers; eighteen, heart disease ; thirteen, dysentery and diar- rhœa ; seventy-four, various diseases; and sixty-five, sick and destitute.
Three hundred and fifty-two beneficiaries were single; five hundred and sixty-nine married, and one hundred and twenty- six widowers. The married and widowers report having thirteen hundred and four children dependent upon them for support.
BENEFICIARIES.
Number remaining October 31st, 1874. 371
Number admitted during the year . 182
Number readmitted during the year 494
Total number cared for 1,047
Discharged during the year 549
Died during the year . 36
Expelled during the year"
64
Number remaining October 31st, 1875 . 398
-1,047
* Those expelled were for drunkenness, as the rules of the institution are very rigid in regard to this vice.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
The largest number cared for (four days in September and three days in
October).
398
The smallest number cared for (nine days in June) 370
Average number of beneficiaries.
. 386
Showing an increase of four and one-hundredths per cent.
FINANCIAL.
Cash on hand per report of October 31st, 1874 $292 97
From sale of barrels, grease, and sundries. 153 50
From sale of farm stock . 122 06
From sale of clothing to out-patients
48 14
From sale of stationery and printing .
20 50
From rent of buildings
94 09
From United States for burial of dead inmates
50 70
Sundry warrants on Hon. Marcus L. Ward, Treasurer 46,301 34
$47,083 30
Deduct balance on hand October 31st, 1875
252 53
$46,830 77
EXPENDITURES.
Provisions .
$12,512 86
Cash allowance to out-patients
13,734 31
Salaries of officers
2,307 20
Furniture, utensils, bedding, etc. 2,673 96
Clothing
2,686 55
Fuel, lights, and soap .
2,418 89
Medicine, tobacco, etc.
2,401 34
Burial expenses
996 50
- Rent of lands and buildings 800 00
2,275 21
Buildings, repairs and insurance of 1,888 67
Stationery, printing, postage, and clerk hire . 964 45
Incidentals, expressage, travelling expenses, etc. 1,170 83
$46,830 77
Farm stock, etc. .
The library contains 392 bound books; 133 magazines and pamphlets, and a large number of papers.
Union Division, No. 169, Sons of Temperance, composed mostly of the inmates of the Home, has been organized nearly two years, and is in a very prosperous condition. It has been instrumental in reclaiming a number of beneficiaries, who have faithfully kept their pledge, much to the surprise of their com-
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
rades. The Division meets in the Amusement Hall, which they have neatly furnished with carpet, chairs, and chandeliers.
The Home Dramatic Association, composed in part of inmates of the Home, with the consent of the managers, have fitted, at their own expense, a stage and scenery in the Amusement Hall, for dramatic entertainments. They are giving a series of six performances of standard plays, one each month, and propose to devote what is left of the proceeds, after deducting expenses, to the purchase of standard works for the Home Library. They give a special performance of each play, to which only the in- mates of the Home are admitted. These entertainments are much appreciated and enjoyed by the men, and it is believed to be promotive of their health and happiness.
The chaplain, in his report, says: The condition of the Home is very satisfactory ; good discipline is maintained ; the morale will compare favorably with other communities of men. Our efforts in the cause of temperance the past year (we trust) will prove a lasting and permanent benefit to some of our men, and my prayer is, that they may be saved, both body and soul.
Religious services have been maintained through the year, and some have manifested more than their usual interest in Divine matters.
The sick and suffering have been kindly cared for, and there has been no lack of effort to promote the health and comfort of all the inmates.
To ex-Governor Marcus L. Ward are we mainly indebted for so noble a charity for the benefit of those who sacrificed all they had in this world, except their honor, for the good of our com- mon country.
This institution is an honor to our State, and was the first one of the kind established in any State, supported entirely by the State, and is now the only one that maintains a separate State organization, all others having been made United States institu- tions, supported by the General Government.
The entire expense to the State since its first opening has been $423,702.76.
There were in the Home October 31st, 1876, 664.
The officers are Hon. Rynear H. Veghte, President ; Hon.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
Marcus L. Ward, Treasurer ; Managers, Hons. Marcus L. Ward, Daniel Haines,* William A. Newell, Rynear H. Veghte, Amzi Dodd, Colonel Edward H. Wright ; Surgeon and Commandant, Colonel Alexander M. Dougherty ; Superintendent, Major Charles A. Scott ; Chaplain, Rev. Isaac Tuttle ; Matron, Mrs. Charles A. Scott.
On the 29th of March, 1864, a resolution was passed by the Legislature authorizing the Governor to appoint three commis- sioners, to inquire into the character and influences of institu- tions in other States designed for the reformation of criminal or vagrant youth, and from their experience to collate a system of reform which they should deem best adapted to the wants of New Jersey ; to ascertain the probable number of children whose course of life demands the care of the State, and the manner in which criminal youth are at present dealt with ; to propose such laws as may be necessary for the establishment of a suitable school or schools, and to report to the Governor the result of their labors, in order that he may present it to the Legislature at its next annual session.
Upon the report of the committee, the Legislature, on the 6th of April, 1865, passed an act establishing a reform farm school, for the reformation of such boys between the ages of eight and sixteen years who may be committed before two judges of any Orphan's Court, or before a justice of the Supreme Court, of an offence which may be punishable by an imprisonment, other than imprisonment for life. The Governor, Chancellor, and Chief Justice, to constitute the Board of Control of the in- stitution, and they are required to appoint six suitable persons as trustees, to exercise supervisory care over the institution.
The sum of fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of purchasing land and the erection of suitable buildings.
On the 21st of March, 1866, the additional sum of sixty thou- sind dollars was appropriated for the completion of the building, for furnishing, etc.
April 3d, 1867, the original act was amended, extending to magistrates the power to commit juvenile offenders to the Reform School.
* Since died.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
April 2d, 1868, an additional sum of twenty thousand dollars was appropriated.
April Ist, 1869, ten thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of enlarging the main building by the erection of a new wing, and twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the support of the school and the maintenance and instruction of its pupils.
March 17, 1870, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated for the support and maintenance of the school, the completion and furniture of the new wing, and improvement of the farm.
March 23d, 1871, ten thousand dollars was appropriated to enable the trustees to erect and furnish a new building as a family house for fifty boys, and for arranging the grounds about it ; and the further sum of twenty thousand dollars for the sup- port of the school, and for the purpose of fertilizing and im- proving the farm belonging to the institution ; and on the 27th of March, 1872, twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the support of the institution ; and on the 25th of March, 1873, twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the support of the school, and ten thousand dollars for erecting and furnishing a new family house, and for grading and planting the grounds.
March 19th, 1874, twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for its support, and five thousand to complete the buildings.
March 11th, 1875, twenty-five thousand dollars was appropri- ated for support, and five thousand dollars for the erection of workshops, improvements and repairs.
February 29th, 1876, fifty-five thousand dollars was appropri- priated for support, and for erection of workshops, etc .; and on the 9th of March, 1877, thirty thousand dollars was appropriated for support, and three thousand dollars for improvements.
The farm contains four hundred and ninety acres, which was purchased in 1866, near Jamesburg, in Middlesex County. The first pupils received was on the 6th of July, 1867. There are now nearly two hundred scholars, who are instructed in the elementary branches of learning, and accustomed to agricultural and other varieties of labor, with an allowance of time for youth- ful recreation.
When considered to be fitted for removal (in not less than a
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
year after admission to the school), good homes are sought for the boys, either with their friends or by indenture to proper persons, the Board of Trustees continuing their guardians during their minority.
On the 3Ist of October, 1876, there were 214 boys in the school ; and from the time of its opening, November 30th, 1867, to October 3Ist, 1876, there had been received 677, of which number 463 had gone out.
The Superintendent is James H. Eastman; Matron, Elizabeth F. Eastman. The School is divided into five families, each family being presided over by a gentleman and lady; family No. 3 being presided over by a gentleman and two ladies.
On the 4th of April, 1871, an act was passed to establish a State Industrial School for Girls between the ages of seven and sixteen years, who may be committed for any crime except murder.
The management is the same as that of the Reform School for Boys. Twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the pur- chase of land and erection of suitable buildings, or for the pur- chase of lands and buildings already erected, and for procuring the needful stock, implements, furniture, food, and clothing, and for the payment of wages and incidental expenses.
April 4th, 1872, an appropriation of five thousand dollars was made for rent, salaries, and incidental expenses ; and March 26th, 1873, the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars was appro- priated for the erection of suitable buildings.
The first building occupied for the purposes of the school was located at the city of Trenton, situated on a bluff bank of the Delaware River, and partly environed by a fine clump of trees, from whence it derives its name, " Pine Grove." The lot con- tained about twelve acres of land, and was well adapted for the purpose. Although within the limits of the city of Trenton, it was so isolated by the canal, cemetery, and river as to be sin- gularly secluded. The property was rented for two years, with the privilege of three, in order to give the trustees sufficient time to select a site and erect suitable buildings for the purposes con- templated in the act.
During the winter of 1872 the trustees purchased in the town-
264
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
ship of Ewing, near the Trenton Lunatic Asylum, a farm con- taining about eighty acres, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars ; they sold a strip of one hundred feet wide, containing a little over an acre, to the Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad Com- . pany, leaving the present value of the land $11,834, the im- provements on which cost $25,907, making the present value of land and buildings $37,741.
On the 31st of October, 1876, there were thirty-three under care, seventy-two having been received since the opening of the school in 1871. Samuel Allinson, of Yardville, is President of the Board of Trustees, and Samuel L. Bailey, Trenton, Secretary. There are six lady managers, residing in different parts of the State. Mrs. Harriet F. Perry is Matron ; Miss McKee, Assistant Ma- tron ; Miss Gardner, Housekeeper, and Miss Davis, Teacher. The Board of Trustees is comprised of six gentlemen, residing in different parts of the State.
The State of New Jersey has not yet within her borders any institution for the education of the blind, the deaf and dumb, and feeble-minded, but the time is not far distant when we will be able to boast of our asylums for the proper education of these unfortunate classes. But notwithstanding we have no institu- tions of our own, the State is not unmindful of these unfortu- nate classes, ample provision having long since been made with the institutions of Pennsylvania and New York to properly care for them.
On the Ioth of November, 1821, the subject was first brought to the notice of our Legislature of providing for indigent deaf and dumb persons, residents of this State, and an act was passed making an annual appropriation of two thousand dollars for that purpose. February 6th, 1844, this appropriation was doubled ; and April 10th, 1846, it was increased to five thousand dollars annually. March 18th, 1863, it was increased to six thousand dollars. March 26th, 1866, it was increased to eight thousand dollars, and March 17th, 1870, to ten thousand dollars.
The first act required that they shall have attained the full age of twelve years ; the act of 1830 limited the time in the institu- tion to four years, but in 1837 it was increased to five years, and in 1843 it was extended to eight years; and those who had
265
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
been in institutions five years and discharged, the Governor was empowered to have readmitted, and to allow them to remain the residue of the term.
Under the act of April roth, 1846, the time was not less than twelve nor more than twenty years of age, and no person under seventeen years of age, totally deaf, or so deaf as to be unable to learn to read in ordinary schools, was to be allowed to be in- dentured as an apprentice before such deaf person shall have been taught to read.
Fifty-three are now maintained by this State in the institu- tions of other States.
February 2d, 1837, the act relating to the deaf and dumb was extended to apply also to the blind.
April roth, 1846, an act was passed making an annual appro- priation of four thousand dollars for the instruction and educa- tion of the blind not under six years of age, and the term of instruction not to exceed eight years. March 18th, 1863, the appropriation was increased to six thousand dollars. April 5th, 1865, it was increased to nine thousand dollars. In 1872 the sum of five thousand dollars was appropriated for the purchase of books for the use of the blind of this State in the different institutions.
·
On the 12th of March, 1860, an act was passed for the main- tenance and instruction of feeble-minded children in the Penn- sylvania Training School for Feeble-minded Children, located at Media. March 17th, 1864, the sum of five thousand dollars was appropriated.
New Jersey has twenty-seven pupils in the above school.
The commission appointed by Governor Parker under the "act for the appointment of commissioners to examine into the condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded in- habitants of this State," approved March 11, 1873, inform us that " there are in New Jersey at least five hundred deaf and dumb, six hundred blind, and one thousand imbecile persons, or a total of two thousand, who are more utterly helpless than babes, and the State only provides for two hundred and twenty- one in all, leaving eighteen hundred and seventy-nine uncared for ; many of whom are a burden and an excrescence upon
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
society ; are useless to themselves or the world; are abused, maltreated, and crushed to the level of the brute; in whom the spark of intellect is nearly quenched, and from whose souls the image of God, from the first marred and defaced, is being rapidly obliterated. This is the statement for the people of New Jersey to ponder. It is suggestive of our duty and our obligation, our neglect and our self-interest, as citizens of a prosperous, a wealthy, and a happy State, in which every soul has a distinct value as a unit of the Commonwealth where intelli- gence is almost universal, and where Christian enlightenment is diffused as widely as the material atmosphere."
They recommend " the State to adopt the system of institu- tions which shall be schools for the education and training of so many of these unfortunates only as are susceptible to either, in preference to the plan of institutions which are asylums merely."
They estimate the cost for providing separate institutions for these three classes, to range from $600,000 to $1,900,000.
Notwithstanding the large amount of money this State had expended on her soldiery who went to the war, in caring for their wives, and seeing them suitably provided for, they did not forget their honored dead ; but the Governor in 1864, authorized the removal of the bodies of deceased New Jersey soldiers who died on the battle-field near Gettysburg, to the National Ceme- tery near that place, and on the 8th of April, 1864, the Legisla- ture passed a resolution, reimbursing him for the expense in- curred in removing and reinterring the dead, appropriated three thousand dollars, and appointed the Governor trustee to repre- sent this State in the board of trustees to be incorporated by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania. This amount was also for finishing and keeping in repair, and erecting a monu- ment, as the proportion of our State. April 5th, 1865, an additional appropriation of three thousand dollars was made, and on the 16th of March, 1870, an act was passed ceding to the United States all title and interest of the State in the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg, provided they would make suitable provision for keeping the cemetery in good order and condition for all time to come.
The State of Maryland, having passed a law providing for a
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
cemetery at Antietam, and having extended an invitation to New Jersey and other loyal States, to unite with them in remov- ing and depositing therein the remains of the soldiers who fell on that ever-memorable battle-field ; on the 4th of April, 1866, the Legislature passed a resolution that it was due to the noble men, citizen soldiers of New Jersey, who offered up their lives for the preservation of the Union, and to the sentiment of our people as expressed in the action of the Legislature in relation to those who fell at Gettysburg, that the State should care for their remains as far as it may be possible, and authorized the Governor to appoint a trustee to represent this State in the establishment of said cemetery, and to secure the removal and deposit therein of the remains of all our soldiers who were in- terred on the battle-field of Antietam, or the fields of other battles fought in that part of Maryland, in so far as their remains can be identified as those of New Jersey soldiers, and to pre- serve the identity of persons as far as it may be possible, for which five thousand dollars was appropriated.
. On the 2d of March, 1854, an act was passed by the Legisla- ture, authorizing the Governor to employ some competent person or persons to make a geographical survey of the State. They were to have the right without molestation to enter upon any lands within the State to make the required investigations, and to effect the object of the survey. They were to collect specimens of the different minerals, rocks, fossils, marls, clays, sands, peats, and such valuable substances as may be found in the State, and to collect such specimens as may be valuable and peculiar to each county, and the Governor was to require the same to be published as each county was completed. And for the objects contemplated, the sum of four thousand dollars was appropriated. On the 24th of March, 1855, twenty thousand dollars was appropriated, and on the 14th of March, 1856, an additional sum amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated for the continuation of the geological survey of the State, and for engraving the maps of the Counties of Sussex and Cape May ; of the former, one thousand copies was ordered to be printed, and of the latter, five hundred copies to be de- livered to each of the County Clerks of the Counties of the State.
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