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New York Asylum For Idiots, Twenty-Eighth Annual Report, For The Year 1878

Creator: n/a
Date: 1891
Source: Steve Taylor Collection

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In addition, there is a teacher of industrial occupations, who, by a special preliminary training, will fit the girls for special service in one or other of the departments named.

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It is intended that the work will be done, in the main, by the inmates under the direction of these supervisors. That they shall also assist in the care of the more helpless ones who are committed to the institution.

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The organization seems to be a success. The superintendents of the poor, who have visited it in bringing cases, seem so to regard it. We have been fortunate in obtaining the services of persons not only industrious and faithful, but who have manifested an interest in developing the girls under their charge in the direction of their own special work.

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One can witness there, even now, a house scrupulously clean, neatness in the personal appearance of the inmates, improved habits, efficient occupation and a growing disposition to yield obedience to necessary regulations. There is an air of comfort and cheerfulness about the whole establishment.

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And finally, from the working experience of some four months, it is obvious that all this can he accomplished with a very moderate expenditure of the public money.

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It may be added that materials are already accumulating, drawn from the past history of some of the inmates, of the necessity for just such an institution. The record of these may be left for a future report.

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In June last the American Association of Superintendents of Asylums for idiots, held their annual meeting at Syracuse. It was pretty generally attended. Papers were read, not only by gentlemen connected with the work in this country, but also by Doctors Shuttleworth and Beach, of England. Opportunity was also afforded for an interchange of opinions upon methods of training and instruction for the class of idiots.

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At the outset of this report it was intimated that there had been but little friction in the machinery of our organization; which implies that all have been united in the fulfillment of a common purpose. Whatever of success has attended my administration of the affairs of this asylum in the past, has been due to the faithful and efficient services of my associates and assistants, which services I take this opportunity to publicly recognize.

83  

H. B. WILBUR, Superintendent.
SYRACUSE, January 2, 1879.

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