Tenth annual report of the New-York Asylum for Idiots : To the legislature of the State of New York / New York State Asylum for Idiots.

  • New York State Asylum for Idiots
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tenth annual report of the New-York Asylum for Idiots : To the legislature of the State of New York / New York State Asylum for Idiots. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    To considerations like these, this institution owes its existence ; although its projectors had a clear conviction of the duty that society owed to this class, whether or not the efforts in their behalf would stand this test of remuneration. But the first measures of relief for any evil so wide-spread, must, of course, be limited, partial, and only preparative of more enlarged provision. In this case it was proper that the educa¬ tional institution, as more manifestly remunerative, should pre¬ cede any custodial establishments. Occasion was taken in the last annual report to present briefly the objects of this institution, as also the limitations in the reception and retention of pupils that its peculiar aims involved. This was done by quoting from our by-laws and commenting upon them, as follows: “ The design and object of the Asylum, as established by the action of the Legislature, are not of a custodial character, but to furnish the means of education to that portion of the youth of the State, not provided for in any of its other educational institutions. Those only will, therefore, be received into the Asylum who are of a proper school-attending age ; and for such periods of time as shall, in the estimation of the board of trustees, suffice to impart all the education practicable in each particular case, and in con¬ formity with the regulations hereinafter specified. “ Children between the ages of seven and fourteen, who are idiotic, or so deficient in intelligence as to be incapable of being educated at any ordinary school, and who are not insane or greatly deformed, may be admitted by the superintendent, with the advice and counsel of the executive committee. Applications in behalf of others shall be referred to the action of the board of trustees.’’ Some limitations, in the reception of idiots are manifestly necessary on the part of the trustees, who are only the agents of the State in carrying out the design and object of the institution, with the pecuniary means appropriated by the Legislature annu¬ ally. Other limitations were implied in the original plan of the founders of the Asylum. The N. Y. Asylum for Idiots was established to meet a public want. There were within the borders of the State, judging from the statistics of other countries and States, under similar circum¬ stances, and of analogous population, more than 3,000 idiots, em-
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