erally. The large and increasing number of insane persons in the State, may well awaken public solicitude as to the causes of this increase and the best means for its prevention. I earnestly commend to your thoughtful consideration all that is said by these able and experienced Superintendents, touching the welfare of the unfortunate class with whom they have to deal, and especially as to the causes of insanity, the quarantine against imported cases, and the necessity, for early treatment. July 1, 1887, there were 1,498 patients in the two Hospitals for the insane, of whom 306 were born in Iowa, 504 in other States, 684 in foreign countries and 4 unknown. The foreignborn population of the State is about seventeen per cent of the whole, while the foreign born patients at the Hospitals for the Insane are forty-five per cent of the whole number.

THE NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE

at Clarinda is nearly ready for the reception of patients. It consists of: First, Administrator's building, containing all the necessary quarters for the officers and also accommodation for 40 patients. Second, one series of six wards with sufficient room for the accommodation of 200 patients. It will require, according to the estimate of the Commissioners, $11,770 to finish and furnish these departments ready for occupancy. This appropriation should, I think, be made at once. and the work already done utilized without further delay. The work thus far has been well done, but I regret that the Commissioners have not been able to accomplish the work according to their estimate presented to the last General Assembly, and there is consequently a delay in opening the Hospital. With the completion and occupancy of the present portion of the building, the institution should be placed under the control of a Board of Trustees as the other hospitals are, and the work of construction continued under their management.

VISITING COMMITTEE.

The hospitals for the insane are visited once a month by one or more of the three members of the visiting committee. They go unannounced and visit all the wards of the hospitals unaccompanied by officers or employes, listen to all complaints, investigate all charges of abuse or wrong doing, communicate freely with the patients, and are thus able to obtain a very complete and accurate understanding of the

entire management of these institutions. The current report of this committee contains many matters of interest and suggestions of value. The general conclusion is that these hospitals are very carefully and humanely managed, and are doing very thorough and in every way excellent work.

INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.

The population of this institution has increased during the period from 259 at the beginning, to 331 at its close; average 271. The trustees note with pleasure the prosperous condition of the institution and express the hope that its means for usefulness may be enlarged. Its facilities have been increased during the past two years, but it has now nearly all the inmates it can comfortably accommodate, while many applications for admission are still pending. The appropriations of the last General Assembly have been well expended. The recommendations of the trustees are entitled to much weight. The central building should be completed as soon as means can be provided. The superintendent is devoted to his work and makes in his report many valuable suggestions. The progress made in bringing into activity the darkened faculties of feeble-minded children has been very marked, and the work done in this institution has only to be observed in order to awaken an interest in it and to wish for its still further development.

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.

The report of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home and Home for Indigent Children shows that since the opening of the institution in 1862, there have been received 1,496 soldiers' orphans, of whom but 42 now remain. Ninety-five per cent of those who have left are good and useful citizens. Since the home was opened for indigent children in 1876, there have been received from forty-eight counties 542 children, of whom 251 remain, making the whole number in the home at the close of the period 293. The trustees and superintendent exhibit the needs of the institution, some of which are quite urgent. Since this report was made the home has had a severe loss in the destruction of the main central building by fire, caused by a stroke of lightning. There was also a loss of supplies, including provisions, clothing, furniture, etc., amounting to $6,600, as estimated by the trustees. An appropriation of $4,500 was made from the providential fund, by the executive

council, on the 14th of November, 1887, and a temporary building has been put up to meet immediate necessities. The lost building, which was insured for $15,000, should be restored as soon as proper funds can be provided. The temporary building has cost $5,436.24, exceeding the appropriation from the providential fund by $936.24. To meet this and also to supply the lost provisions, etc., an immediate appropriation of $7,536.24 should be made by the General Assembly. This institution continues to do good work, and of a kind that appeals forcibly to the patriotic and humane sentiments of the people, and I am sure will not be neglected at your hands.

SOLDIERS' HOME.

The Soldiers' Home, located at Marshalltown, was formally opened on the 30th of November, 1887, and there are now about sixty old soldiers domiciled there. The board of commissioners have executed their trust very faithfully; the building erected is one of the most economically built of any in the State, and will serve its purpose well. The report of the commissioners will, as required by the statute, be made to the General Assembly, and will fully inform you as to the condition and needs of this new institution, which deserves, and I have no doubt will receive liberal treatment from you.

PENITENTIARY AT FORT MADISON.

The number of convicts in the Fort Madison penitentiary at the beginning of the period was 412, at its close 360. The average number was 390. The total expenditures were $142,245.21. The net cost of the prison to the State for the two years, after deducting earnings of convicts, was $53,959.03. The prison has been managed with gratifying results. The prisoners have been well provided for and treated impartially, while everything has been done for their health and com. fort that could be desired, and the discipline has been excellent. The electric light gives entire satisfaction. The buildings need some repairs, and the small appropriations asked for by the Warden are necessary. I do not consider any legislation necessary as to the division of convicts between the two penitentiaries until the Legislature determines to classify the prisoners, which should be done on the completion of the penitentiary at Anamosa. Provision should be made. at the present session for the employment of the convicts, as some of the contracts now existing will expire before the meeting of another regular session. From my personal observations, after carefully

weighing the arguments in favor of our method of employment and others, and from the fact that experiments are now being made in other States that will later enable us to profit by their experience, and from the further fact that we have now only a small number of convicts under the contract system, I think we cannot do better than to continue that system for the present. In a few years the other prison will be completed, and we shall then have more knowledge upon the subject and shall risk less in experimentation. If our contracts are to be re-let we should secure more favorable terms than we have at present.

PENITENTIARY AT ANAMOSA.

General progress has been made in the construction of the prison at Anamosa, the work being prosecuted under the careful personal attention of the Warden. The building for the criminal insane is ready for the roof and inclosed by a stone wall. Sufficient funds should be provided for the completion of this department as it is sadly needed. At present, the criminal insane are confined in the Hospitals for Insane, and adequate accommodations are not provided. Their removal to new quarters will make room for a number of additional patients at the Hospitals. Upon the completion of this department, additional legislation will be required before it is occupied. Work has also been commenced on the building for female prisoners. Appropriation should be made for continuing the work of construction and keeping the convicts employed. At the beginning of the period the convicts numbered 255, and at its close 313; average, 296. The expenditures were $177,447.14. The discipline has been good and the general management excellent. While the Prisoners' Aid Association is animated by the most generous and humane motives, in my judgment the funds used by that Association would accomplish much more good if placed in the hands of the Wardens, and used by them, in such manner as they see proper, to secure employment for discharged convicts.

CONVICTS DECREASING.

The whole number of convicts in the two Penitentiaries at the beginning of the period was 667; at its close, June 30, 1887, 673; an increase of 6. The number at the beginning and close of the previous period was respectively 607 and 667, an increase of 60. During the period ending June 30, 1885, 76 convicts were pardoned out of the Penitentiaries, and for that ending June 30, 1887, 46. January 1, 1888,

the whole number of convicts was 648. These figures indicate a gratifying decrease in the number of our Penitentiary.convicts, a result largely due, I doubt not, to the enforcement of the Prohibitory Law. The complete enforcement of that law in all parts of the State will unquestionably still further diminish the criminal class.

PARDONS, SUSPENSIONS, COMMUTATIONS AND REMISSIONS.

During the two years closing December 31, 1887, I have granted conditional pardons, which may be revoked at any time, to 36 convicts in the Penitentiaries. The suspensions were 54, commutations 9, remissions 11. The suspensions of sentence, which were also conditional, include temporary suspensions in several cases to await the prosecution of applications for pardon, and in at least two cases pardons, were afterwards granted, so that the same case appears under the head of pardons and also suspensions. There were also five cases of transfer to the Hospital for the Insane which are included in the suspensions. In most of the suspensions the action. was only to release from jail in cases of violation of the Prohibitory Liquor Law, and did not release from the payment of the fine imposed. A full account of these pardons, etc., with the reasons for granting them, will be presented to the General Assembly in another communication.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

The Trustees of the Industrial School in their report speak words of gratitude and congratulation because the institution commenced in an humble way twenty years ago, has at last gained a good footing among the permanent institutions of the State and is doing a noble work in its efforts to "rescue the perishing." Since its beginning 1,580 children and youth have been under its instruction and care, many of whom are now useful and respectable citizens in this and other States. On the 30th of June, 1887, there were in the Boys' Department at Eldora 330, and in the Girls' Department at Mitchellville 112. The expenditures for the period were $90,699.14. There is need, in the Boys' Department especially, of greater facilities for employAn idle brain is the devil's work-shop. Perhaps some of our public printing might be done at this school with profit to it and to the State. This institution is one of much importance, good results are being secured, and I commend the reports of the Trustees and Superintendents to your attention, and trust you will give the school the support and encouragement it so justly deserves.

ment.