VERMONT. 



821 



day to 75 cents. The income exceeded the expcn--- 

 by $3,922.94. 



From June 30, 1896, to June 30, 1898. there were 

 722 commitments to the House of Correction in 

 Rutland, 112 inmates being already in that institu- 

 tion. The daily average. 145, was an increase of 

 29 per cent, over the previous term. The Indus- 

 trial School received 1,252 from June, 1896, to June, 

 1898, 129 being girls. In July, 1898, 130 boys and 

 24 girls were in the school. The expense per capita 

 to the State was $138.30. 



Insane Asylum. The trustees in their report 

 say: "An appropriation of $22,000 was made by 

 the last General Assembly for the construction of a 

 pathological laboratory, a cold-storage plant, a new 

 ventilating system for the south wing of the asy- 

 lum, and other improvements. The expenditures 

 have exceeded the sum appropriated by $4,497.58. 

 Our buildings were originally erected to hold 450 



gatients. Since our last report the annex (Shepley 

 ottage) has been completed, and accommodates 25 

 additional patients. The average number of pa- 

 tients during the biennial period has exceeded 500 ; 

 so that the asylum has been to that extent over- 

 crowded. We believe the biennial period which 

 has just closed has been one of remarkable success. 

 Many reforms have been introduced in the man- 

 agement ; physical restraint has been practically 

 abolished ; the dietetics of the institution have been 

 greatly improved ; the danger of fire has been mate- 

 rially lessened by the new water system ; the grounds 

 have* been improved by grading and the planting of 

 shrubbery : the attendants secured have been men 

 and women of greater intelligence and better train- 

 ing than formerly. 



" Feeling the need of more land, in the spring of 

 1897 we leased the farm of James Somerville for 

 two years at an annual rent of $1,000, and at the 

 same time took a bond for the purchase of the 

 property for $8,000, the rental in excess of the in- 

 terest of the purchase money to be deducted from 

 the purchase price, provided the State consummates 

 the terms of the bond." 



The superintendent says: "During the biennial 

 period there were 13 readmissions. Of these 2 were 

 admitted and discharged twice : thus the total num- 

 ber of 715 cases treated represented 702 persons. Of 

 the total number of patients admitted within the 

 period 63 were regarded as curable, 3 were not in- 

 sane, and 138 were chronic or incurable. Of the 63 

 curable patients 25 have recovered, and 38 are still 

 under treatment with every prospect of ultimate 

 recovery. Notwithstanding the general belief in 

 the incurability of insanity, facts incontestably 

 prove that the majority of the insane do recover if 

 proper treatment is early instituted. 



" Of those discharged within the same period 55 

 recovered and 58 were improved. During the same 

 period there were 74 deaths 49 males and 25 fe- 

 males. The fatality, based on the total number 

 under treatment, is not great 10.34 per cent, espe- 

 cially when it is remembered that soon after assum- 

 ing charge in January, 1897, a severe epidemic of 

 la grippe attacked patients and attendants alike. 



" By reference to the financial exhibit it will be 

 seen that there was chargeable to this biennial 

 period $14,688.66 stock on hand June 30. 1896; 

 which, however, on inventory, Jan. 1, 1897, had 

 diminished to $3,350.99. In spite of this fact and 

 extensive improvements and repairs, the weekly per 

 capita cost for the period has been $3.32." 



Brattleboro Retreat. The account of receipts 

 and expenditures for the two years ending June 30, 

 1898, showed a deficit of $2,566.95. The average 

 number of patients treated was 188, 108 being mm 

 and 80 women. The total number received since 

 July, 1896, was 161, and 75 of these were women. 



Butter-and-Cheege Association. The Ver- 

 mont Butter and Cheese Makers' Association wa 



organized in January, and held its first meeting 

 in March. J. J. Jackson, of East Montj*-lier. was 

 chosen president, and F. II. Bu-kford, of Bradford, 

 secretary. At the March meeting there were ad- 

 dresses and discussions on subjects connected with 

 the dairy business, and nearly a hundred sample* 

 of butter and cheese were exhibited. Many pre- 

 miums and prizes, ranging from $5 to $25, were 

 awarded. 



lowey Day. On Mav 9 Montpelier, Admiral 

 Dewev's native city, celebrated his victory at Ma- 

 nila Bay. Almost the whole town was was deco- 

 rated, and it is estimated that 10.000 persons from 

 put of town came to witness the parade in the even- 

 ing. A great meeting was held in Armorv Hall. 

 Mayor Senter, the chairman, said in opening the 

 meeting : " Fellow-citizens : We are met to-day to 

 celebrate one of the grandest victories in naval 

 warfare. The people of Commodore Dewey's na- 

 tive town have met to-day to honor his achieve- 

 ments. Gen. Sedgewick said at Gettysburg, ' Put 

 the Vermonters at the front, and keep the column 

 well closed up,' We have put a Vermonter at the 

 front, and if Sampson keeps the column well closed 

 up we shall hear something before this meeting is 

 closed that will make our hearts rejoice. I hope 

 the speakers this afternoon will be brief as possible, 

 and that their speeches will be as full of fire and 

 fight as was Commodore Dewey a week ago last 

 Sunday morning at Manila." 



Dental Examiners. The Board of Dental Ex- 

 aminers in their biennial report submitted in Au- 

 gust, 1898, say that in the two years they granted 

 16 licenses for the practice of dentistry. Of those 

 receiving these licenses 13 were graduates of den- 

 tal colleges, and 3 were licensed upon examination. 

 Two applicants failed to pass. The receipts for ex- 

 aminations and licenses amounted to $90 ; the ex- 

 penses of the board were $80. The president of the 

 board is Dr. S. D. Hodge, of Burlington. 



Legislative Session. Gov. Grout called a spe- 

 cial session of the Legislature to meet on Ma 

 for the purpose of providing troops for the war 

 with Spain, in accordance with the call of the 

 President, In his message the Governor said : 



"This State tendered fulfillment of the Presi- 

 dent's call upon it for troops to assist in the war 

 against Spain the 23d day of last month, and has 

 since been awaiting the pleasure of the War De- 

 partment and co-operating with its otlieials. 



Vermont's quota for immediate serv, 

 regiment of 1,008 enlisted men and officers; and 

 you are asked to provide equipment for this regi- 

 ment now offered the service, and also to place the 

 military quota of the State at the disposal of the 

 Government. Your attention is tainted to the 

 status of the militia when the present regiment 

 of the Guard enters the United States service, and 

 the desirability of a continuous military organ i- 



At the special session in April, 1S61, called to 

 assist in preparing the troops from this State for 

 the civil war. a State compensation of $7 a month, 

 extra to the United States pay. \\as irrnnted each 

 enlisted man: and you will U- expected to regard 

 the brave men now entering an unselfish war, 

 waited ill In-half of freedom and humanity, will 

 at least as patriotic a consideration as favored 

 those who went forth a generation since M battle 

 for the integrity of the Union and the perpetuity 

 of the nation. 



The reiriment requested by the >xvrelary of 

 War is about 350 in exce-- ..f our quota under the 

 President's call, but it is necessary to furnish it or 

 allow Vermonter* to serve in other State organi- 



