There are at present employed at the institution the following officers and employees: These salaries appear entirely reasonable, and the committee are satisfied that, although everything needful is done to make these pupils comfortable, yet there is no extravagance, and the utmost care seems to be taken to secure economy in every depart ment. The genial and worthy superintendent, and his accomplished lady, who is the matron, appear to be untiring in their kindness, and with singleness of purpose devote their time and talents to maintain good order, and exert a truly parental influence over the school. So far the institution seems to have fully answered the beneficent purposes intended in its creation; and it is a gratifying fact that, for several years past, no blind person, of suitable age to be instructed, has been refused admission. There is not the same difficulty in ascertaining the number of blind in the state, as was experienced in enumerating the insane. The census of 1860 shows that there were then 475 blind persons in the state; and that of that number there were but nine under five years; 26 between five and ten; 29 between ten and fifteen, and 53 between fifteen and twenty. There were 83 between twenty and thirty, and 64 between thirty and forty, and 40 between forty and fifty years. Of the 80 in the institution in January last, three were nine years old; 53 between ten and twenty years; 23 between twenty and thirty years, and one forty years. Of the 82 in the institution December 3, 1867, there were four aged nine years; eight aged ten years, and three aged eleven years. Forty-four were females, of an average age of fifteen and three-seventh years; thirty males, in literary department, of average of fourteen years, and eight males learning the broom trade, of average of twentyfour years. Referring to the statistics of the deaf and dumb, it will be seen that the average age of the blind is considerably greater than the deaf and dumb, in school; and after making allowance (by increase of population) of the number of the blind, from 1860, it is evident that the number of this class in the state is far less than deaf and dumb; and is accounted for, principally, from the fact that blindness arises more especially as a consequence of disease and exposure of adult life, and from age, while deaf-muteism is generally a consequence of diseases of childhood. ALLEN C. FULLER, ELMER BALDWIN, T. B. WAKEMAN. The following tabular statement shows the number admitted, and the number now in attendance, by counties, respectively: REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE. The foregoing reports and evidence and papers relating thereto, having been referred to the Committee on State Institutions of the House, said Committee would respectfully report that the evidence relates solely to the management of the Hospital for the Insane, and that the report of the committee of investigation con tains a fair and substantial abstract of so much of said evidence as appears necessary to an understanding of the subjects of the investigation. From an examination of said reports and evidence, we are satis fied that the investigation was thorough and impartial, and adopt the conclusions arrived at by said investigating committee. February 20, 1869. H. C. CHILDS, Chairman GEO. GAYLORD, CHARLES G. READE, E. H. TALBOTT, C. W. MARSH, JOHN W. Ross, S. R. SALTONSTAll, Committee on State Institutions of the Douse. The undersigned, Committee on State Institutions of the Senate, in compliance with a joint resolution of this General Assembly, directing them to report an abstract of the testimony taken by the Committee, appointed by the 25th General Assembly, to investigate the affairs of the Hospital for the Insane, and other State Institutions, respectfully report: That they have adopted the abstract of the evidence as found in the report of said Investigating Committee, to his excellency, the Governor, and have caused the said report to be printed in full; and herewith submit the same for the consideration of the Senate. JOHN MCNULTA, Chairman. J. D. WARD, T. A. BOYD, J. L. TINCHER, S. R. CHITTENDEN, J. J. R. TURNEY, Committee on State Institutions for the Senate. 1 1 |