CENTENNIAL FUND.

1876.

THE undersigned, in order to meet any deficiency which may arise in the funds of the "State Charities Aid Association," in consequence of its income being insufficient to meet its annual expenses, hereby agree to pay such annual assessment as may be necessary to make up the deficiency, beginning with the year 1877, and until notice is given by them to the contrary.

Provided that the sum called for does not exceed $100 for any one year, and that the assessment be divided pro rata among the parties to this agreement.

EXTRACTS FROM THE

ANNUAL REPORTS OF VISITING

COMMITTEES.

These extracts are given almost entirely in the words of the original Reports. VISITING COMMITTEE FOR CAYUGA COUNTY

ORGANIZED MARCH 31ST, 1874.

There are at present date (Jan. 25th, 1878,) 100 inmates in the Poor House; of this number, 30 are insane, 6 are idiotic, 2 blind, 6 are sick. Insane Paupers when pro

nounced incurable are sent to this institution from the Utica Asylum, when they cannot be accommodated at Ovid. Many of the remaining number are infirm from age, or former intemperance. About 25 are able to perform manual labor on the farm or in housework. There is a sick ward which is kept in good condition, and infectious cases, which occur but rarely, are isolated. The house is kept very clean. A chaplain has been secured to conduct services, and attend funerals in this house.

The Asylum for Destitute Children is kept in a remarkable state of order and cleanliness; everything in the management seems to be superior of its kind. The ladies are trying to organize a sewing-school in this asylum on the plan introduced in the Syracuse public schools.

The report of last June says, "The entertaining of

tramps is quite an item in the care and expense of this house. A room was built last fall, 18 by 24 feet, where those who apply are lodged and allowed to remain over the Sabbath; in this room they are locked and not allowed to wander round the premises, or mingle with the inmates. About 140 tramps have been accomodated during the past winter. These persons are generally armed, and the keeper says it is a fearful sight to look upon them as they are arranged round the room for the night, on the bench where they sleep, each with his revolver or knife by his head."

No late report from the Out-door Relief Committee.

VISITING COMMITTEE FOR DELAWARE COUNTY.

ORGANIZED APRIL 13TH, 1874.

From the Superintendent's report just published, it appears that the whole number of persons supported at the Poor House during the year 1877, was 76, of which number 53 belonged to the several towns, 22 to the County, and I to the State. There have been 13 paupers discharged, and 11 have died, leaving 48 now at the Poor House. There are 33 persons supported at the different Asylums, and 9 children at the Susquehanna Valley Home.

The Visiting Committee report no able-bodied paupers at the Poor House, and only mild cases of insanity; with few exceptions the minds of all the inmates are somewhat diseased, and it would be almost impossible to draw the line from the three or four comparatively bright and sensible, down through the various shades of partial insanity, idiocy and foolishness. There are three infants, one deaf and dumb woman, and one blind. Visits have been made regularly, and the Committee has no fault

to find with the management of the house, which has been kept clean, and the clothing of the inmates well washed and mended.

There has been a great decrease during the past year in the number of tramps, owing perhaps to the treatment they receive; they are obliged to sleep on benches in the sitting-room, and are not allowed to eat at the table with the regular inmates, but are given the food that is left. If they eat at the table, they take without hesitation the best of everything, and the poor infirm and idiotic paupers are unable to contend with them.

It is found difficult to give them work in winter.

The ward for the sick is kept in good order, but the construction and ventilation are poor.

This Poor-House is no longer appointed to receive. State Paupers.

VISITING COMMITTEE FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY. ORGANIZED APRIL 29TH, 1873.

The Committee has continued its monthly meetings (except during the summer vacation) and has kept up regular visits to the Poor-House and Orphans' Home. At the former, nothing was done until quite recently towards setting apart and fitting up suitable rooms for a Hospital, for which a small appropriation was procured from the Board of Supervisors, in November, 1876. Two rooms have now been appropriated for that purpose, one for men, the other for women, but they are small and inconvenient. Some bedding and other appliances have been purchased, and a matron or nurse has been employed for most of the past year to take care of the sick. The building is so badly designed, that there is really no good available room to be had for a Hospital, but now that the first step has been taken, the Committee thinks

it will not be difficult to make the Supervisors see the importance of providing more suitable accomodations for the sick.

There are now 55 insane persons of both sexes confined in what is called the Asylum, and their condition is not what it should be. But this is more owing to the very improper accommodations provided for them, than to any defect in the management. They are perhaps as well cared for as they could be in such wretched quarters, and by persons not especially skilled in the care of the insane. There is no proper place in which to seclude the violent and dangerous class of lunatics, and as they must be kept away from the others, they are put into very unwholesome and damp quarters in the basement, some of the cells in that place being entirely unfit for the purpose. It is understood that the State Board of Charities has been investigating the condition of this asylum, and that they have directed certain changes to be made, which will greatly improve the condition of the inmates.

The Orphans' Home is well managed, and the children are healthy and happy, well clothed and well fed. A suitable hospital room has been set apart for the sick, well warmed and lighted. There is more variety in the food provided; less molasses and more milk. We have no criticism to make upon the present management of this institution. It shelters at present 45 children.

VISITING COMMITTEE FOR KINGS COUNTY.
ORGANIZED OCTOBER 14TH, 1874.

INFANT WARD COMMITTEE.

This Committee reports the management of these wards as satisfactory as could reasonably be expected. A matron whose only business is to look after these