SCIICOL FOR THE BLIND. OFFICERS. HARVEY CLARK MRS. PRUELLA H. CLARK. .Superintendent and Steward Matrox .... Clerk This is the first charital le institution established by the state. A school for the bnd had been open dat Janesville, in the latter part of 1849, wh ch received its support from th: c'tizens of that place and vicinity. At the next session of the legislature it was adopted by the state, by an act approved Feb ruary 9, 1850. On October 7, 150, it was opened for the reception of pupils under the direction of the board of trustees appointed by the governor. It occu pied rented rooms until June 1 1852, when it was removed to a build ng erected for its use at a cost of about $3,000. The lot of ten acres had been do nated by the owners, and now forms a part of the grounds, forty acres in extent, belonging to the institution. Th's building was so arranged as to admit of Lecoming the wing of a larger one, which was commenced in 1854, and fully completed in 1859. In 1864-5 a brick building was erected for a shop and other purpo es. The foundation of the wing first bult proved defective, and in 1867 that portion c the building had to be taken down. The next year work was begun on an extens on which should replace the demolished portion and afford room for the growth of the school. This was completed 'n 1870, and the value of the buildings, grounds and rersonal property belonging to the institution was estimated at $182.000. On the 13th of April, 1874, the building was des royed by fire, and at the ensuing session of the legislature an ap propriation of $56.000 was made for the erection of a wing of a new building on the old s'te, but on a somewhat different plan; and in 1876, a further appropriat on of $90,000 was made for rebuilding the main structure. The school was not allowed to close on account of the fire. Suitable accommodations were procured for the pupils by the board of trustees in the city of Janesville, where at some disadvantage, the work of the institution was carried on until January 1, 1876, when the wing of the new building was ready for occupancy. The main structure has since been completed. It's designed to accommodate one hundred pupils, the same number as the building destroyed in 1874. The exterior is plainer than in the former structure, but a cons derable sum has been expended in fire-proofing and n laying solid foundations under the ma'n building. It is now believed to be practically fire-roof. ་་ The object of the institution as dec'ared by law s "to qualify, as far as may be," the blind "for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government, ch taining the means of subsistence and the d scharge of the duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." The inst tution is therefore neither a hospital nor an asylum, but a school, into which blind persons res d'ng in Wisconsin, "of suitable age and capacity to receive instruction," are admitted for education. For the purposes of the institution. those persons are regarded as blind who are shut out from the benefits of the common schools by deficiency of sight. Pupils are regularly received who are between the ages of eight and twenty-one years. In occasional instances others have been admitted. Tuition and board during the school year are furnished by the state without charge, but raren's and guardians are expected to provide clothing, traveling expenses, ad a home during the summer vacation. The school year commences on the geernd Wednesday in September and cont nues forty weeks. The operations of the school fall naturally into three departments. In one, Instructions given in t'e subjects usually taught in the common schools, Some use is made of books printed in raised letters; but instruction is mostly given orally. In another department musical training, vocal, instrumental and theoretical, is imparted to an extent sufficient to furnish to most an mportant source of enjoyment, and to some the means of support. These two d partments were opened at the commencement of the school, and have been ever since maintained. A little later the third department was opened, in which weaving, seat ng cane bottomed chairs, sewing, knitting, and various kinds of fancy work are systematically taught. The "Kindergarten" was establ shed in 1883 and proves a most valuable adjunct to all the departments. The care exercised over the pupils of this institut on, looks closely to ther physical and moral well-being, and the details of the discpl ne are only such as are consistent with and will further this purpose; while the instruct on is systematic and thorough, as the character and scholarship of those who have completed the prescribed course of study abundantly attest. There has been paid from the state treasury up to July 1, 1908, for real es tate, build ngs, improvements, repairs and current expenses of the school, in all, the sum of $1,538,724.92. The whole number of pupils under instruction from the opening of the school, October 7, 1850, is 924. The average number of upils the past year was 85, as against the previous year; and the current expenses, $32,394.21, as against $32,695.38. The Wisconsin Industria' School for Boys is situated about three-fourths of a mile west of the ra lroad depots in the village of Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. It was organized as a house of refuge, and opened in 1860. The name was afterward changed to "State Reform School," and again to "Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys," its present title. The buildings are located on the southern bank of Fox river in view of the trains as they pass to and from Milwaukee and Madison, presenting an attractive sight to the traveling publ e and furnishing good evidence of the parental care of the state author.ties for the juvenile wards with'n its borders. The buildings include a main central edifice, three stories high, used for the residence of the superintendent's family, office, officers' kitchen dining and lodg ing roonis, furnace room and cellar. On March 26, 1898, the factory buildin with all its contents, was destroyed by fire, the loss being about $40,000. The Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State authorized an indebtedness of $40,000.00, and a new building was built during the summer of 1898. On the east of the main central building are three family buildings, three stories high, each with a dining hall, play room, bath room, dressing room, hospital room, officers' roems, dormitory and store room. On the west of the main central buildings are four family buildings 'ke those in the east in all respects, with the excep ion of the building at the west end of this line, which is a wooden building with a stone basement. In the rear of this line of buildings is the shop building, 38x258 fee, thres stories high, which embraces boot factory, Lock and knitting factory, tador shop, carpenter shop, laundry and steam dry ng room, store, store rooms, Lakery and cellar, and three family buildings with room for fifty boys each, ai o 21 engine and boiler room and a blacksmith shop. There is on the farm, which consists of 404 acres of land, a stone carr ag and horse barn, two stories high, built in the most substantial manner, three convenient wooden larns, with sheds for cattle, wagons and farm mach nery, cellars for roots, and a silo in connection with cow barn. The total amount paid from the state treasury up to June 30, 1908, for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs, and current expenses is $2,699,997.54. The whole number of commitments since the opening of the schools, August 3, 1860, is 5,979, of whom 356 were present June 30, 1908. The average number of boys the past year was 525, as a zanst 310 the previous year, and the current expenses were $65,717.67, as against $70,124.26. The State prison was located in Waupun in July, 1851, by Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth, who were appointed commissioners to determine such location under a law enacted that year. A contract was at once entered into for the construction of a temporary prison; in 1853 the contract was let for the mason work upon the south wing of the prison and additions have been made from time to time since that date. From March 28, 1853, to January 4, 1874, the office of the Prison Commissioner was an elective office, the comm'ssioner having full control of the management of the prison. From January 3, 1874, to June 1, 1881, the management was in the hands of three directors appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. In place of a commissioner, the directors appointed a warden, who had charge and custody of the prison, to serve three years. In June, 1881, the management of the prison was placed in the hands of the State Board, who have continued the control and custody as established by the directors. The warden, steward, clerk, deputy warden and matron are appointed by the State Board of Control annually. All other officers are appointed by the board from time to time as vacancies occur, upon the nomination of the warden. The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manu facture of boots and shoes, for five years, from January 1, 1878, and the contract was renewed with that firm for five years, beginning with January 1, 1883, at the rate of fifty cents per day of ten hours. Upon the expiration of the contract at the close of the year 1887, the contractors, by consent of the Board of Supervision, continued to employ the prisoners for several months, when the contract was renewed for five years without change of terms. On the expiration of sa d contract at the close of the year 1892, it was similarly renewed by consent of the Board of Control, for a further peried of five years. On the exration of the contract period at the core of the year 1897 it was again renewed on the same terms for a further period of 5 years. On July 1st, 1903, a contract was entered into with the Paramount Knitting Co. of Chicago for the manufacture of socks and stockings. The State receives 65 cents per day per convict employed. TE s contract provides that not less than 300 convicts shall be employed. At present time convicts earn from $6,500.00 to $7.200.00 per month. Manufacture on the part of the state was therefore discontinued on January 1, 1878. The prisoners' earnings for the 2-year period ending June 30, 1908, were $156,889.66. The grounds about the buildings embrace 24 acres, and a farm of 280 acres. The buildings comprise the center. 85x90 feet, occupied for offices, din ng aud lodging rooms for officers, kitchens, bakery, etc. The two wings, 50x200 feet each, contain 504 cells, the deputy warden's res'dence and female prison with thir y-six ce'ls, a workshop 54x500 feet, two stories high, bath house, blacksm'th, carpenter shop, barn, etc., and warden's residence. A new cell wing was completed about January 1, 1909, with cell room for 200 convicts. The total amount paid from the state treasury fer real estate, build`ngs, improvements, repairs and current expenses up to June 30, 1908, was $3.137.890.73. The whole number of prisoners received since the opening of the prison is 10,291. The number in confinement June 30, 1908, was 655-621 males and 18 females. The average number of prisoners during the past year was 627. as aga'ns: 640 the preceding year, and the current ex enses were (not includag prisoners' carnings) $120,437.84, as against $119,C56.93. STATE SCHOOL FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN. OFFICERS. C. M. BRIGHT Mas. F. JR BRIGHT A. F. BRANDT ELSIE M. LOOMIS R. J. HITTIER W. T SARLES Superintendent and Steward The State Public School for dependent and neglected children is located a. Sparta, in the valley of the La Crosse river, and is surrounded by hills wh el impart a varied and pleasant scenery. The location is a most des rable one for the healthfulness and happiness of the 'nmates. The grounds are acious and we I laid ou, affording ample play grounds for the children. Flowing wells abound, furnishing the purest water. The school was estall'shed in 1886 and from its opening to June 30, 1909, 3.251 children had been received within ta doors, and after a few weeks o months, as might be necessary for preparation, passed on to Homes where opportun ties have been given them to develop into useful citizenship. More than 85 per cent. of the children thus p'need have accepted these oportunities and have grown and are growing to be good men and women. Rescued from neglect. squalor and vice, where the downroad was the caser, lifted up to useful lives, in 85 of each 15 cases is a record which is very gratifying to the friends who urged the passage of the bill to create the school. The school is intended for a depot Lotween the children in their neglected conditions in the several counties and the many homes to which children will he welcome. Some of these children, however, have some physica', mental or moral deformity which may require attention for awhile before they are ready for a home. Thus the school is the place where, when possible the child may be cured of some habits, and finally rassed on to commence real life in a home surrounded by good influences. To do this requires comprehensive and careful teachers and matrons and those employed in the Sparta school are doing a noble work in preparing their charges for worthy homes and lives of usefulness. The utmost care is taken in selecting homes for the children. The great number of applications in excess of the calldren enables agents of the school to accept only the best homes, and these only on personal inspection and thorough investigation. After a child is placed in a home it's frequently visited by the agent, and to supplement th's means of supervision, the guard an is required to make monthly reports to the superintendent regarding health, conduct, attendance at school, and any other i ems of interest concerning the ward. For reasons already given, some children cannot be placed 'n homes. These are given the opportunities of a common school education and the larger girls are taught sewing and cooking under a competent teacher. The larger boys are taught farming. The farm connected with the school consists of 234 acres. About 100 acres are under cultivation, the remainder being pasture; some be ng of light, sandy soil, unfit for cultivation at pres nt. Sufficient vegetables are raised for the population of the school, and a herd of cows furnishes all the milk required. The buildings consist of a main building in which are offices. superintend ent's living rooms, dining rooms for children and employes, a sma'l assembly room, and sleeping rooms: five cottages with a capacity for 250 pupils; a large new hospital, and an old frame building used for epidemics; a school house containing six rooms; a laundry building with heating plant, co'd storage and ice house, and farm buildings. Vstors are made welcome at the school, as it is the desire of the present ad inistration to interest the people in one of the most essential charities of the 'ate, that which may make true men and women of those who, if left uncared for. might descend to unuseful and degraded lives. From its inception in 1886 to June 30, 1908, the total cost of this school ta the state for all purposes, including land and bui'dings, has been $1.047,344.77. The whole number of children adm't'ed up to June 30, 1908, was 3.251: Th average number in the school for the fiscal year end ng June 30, 1907, was 113, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1908, the average number was 165, 1 |