increased until one crew of men was formed who did this work successfully and with apparent pleasure. Thus far there has been cleared for park purposes about fifty acres; there has been grubbed, broken and seeded forty acres, and 163 acres have been ploughed, making 200 acres in crop.

No inmate is compelled to work, but all the work about the place has been performed by the willing inmates and their attendants. No more help has been hired than would have been necessary to look after the inmates had they been housed up. It appears that one man can look after more inmates when they are occupied than when they are idle. The inmates have also laid six hundred feet of sewer pipe, some of it fifteen feet below the surface. They have cared for all the crops, cared for and milked six cows, and with the exception of a hired cook and laundryman, besides the matron, they have performed all the work about the house under the supervision of attendants. At present all but one or two of the 112 insane men on the place are engaged in some sort of employment, although there are not the same number at the several sorts of employment on two consecutive days. Even insane men usually prefer occupation to idleness. When they do not feel like working, I condole with them on their sickness, and direct that they retire to the house. and rest. This is satisfactory during the middle of the day, but when evening comes, and the other inmates are playing ball, or otherwise amusing themselves on the grounds, it is rather irksome for those not really ailing to observe the sport at long range, and they are usually sufficiently cured in a few days to be able to accompany some one of the various crews to their work.

Of course, the question of employing the men requires a good deal of personal attention, and it is only recently that they have been occupied as fully as at present. It is necessary to study each man's peculiarities, and, as far as possible, humor his whims. For instance, there is one husky negro who must have active occupation, and it is much pleasanter to spend some time seeking it for him than to have him work off his surplus energy on the attendants or the other patients. This man works a reversible cog hand washing machine. He sings and turns the crank by the hour, thinking he is putting down the "little devils," whom he imagines to be pushing the piston rod from inside the machine. Another doesn't care to work, but during the greater part of the summer will more than earn his board catching fish. Another owns the woodpile, and permits no interference with his province of providing stovewood for the dining-room and kitchen. Those who do not appear interested in one kind of work are soon given opportunity to try some other.

As a rule, we have one crew of men on the farm, one in the garden, one grubbing, and usually one improving the property-as, for instance, on the sewer or in the grading of roads-but it must be understood that the attendants are not foremen of these several crews in the sense of slave-drivers, but as far as possible work with them.

The division of work for an ordinary day was as follows: Ward work, 2; teamster, 1; care of pigs, 1; farming garden, 5; laying sewer pipe and preparing ground for same, 55; kitchen, 4; dining-room and light work outside, 12; splitting wood, 1; ward work, 6; ward work and light work outside quarters, 16; laundry, 7; old and decrepit, 2; total, 112. The value to the State of the labor of some of the men is, of course, small, but the asylum is for

the men's benefit, not to determine how much work they can do, and the value of employment to the men is large.

During the summer the daily program is as follows: Rise at 5:30, except the dining-room and barn crew, who rise at 5 o'clock; breakfast at 6:15; work from 7:15 to 11:30; dinner at 12; work from 1:15 to 5; supper at 5:30; recreation, out of doors if possible, 6 to 7:45, and retire at 8 o'clock.

Whether they are in the pineries, the mines or the asylums, there is apt to be a bully in any crew of one hundred men. We had such an one, a powerful fellow who was inclined to impose upon his companions. Finally, I directed that at the evening play a sufficient number of the attendants take him down and hold him with his limbs extended. The man was not hurt, but soon appreciated his helpless condition, and it has never since been necessary to administer to him any form of restraint. No other instance of restraint or punishment has been necessary. We have no restraining apparatus, and no bars on any of our windows. Occasionally a man elopes, but he rarely gets far, and on return he is made to feel, if possible, more at home, and we rarely have further trouble with him.

At the outset two night watchmen were kept busy, but now one scarcely knows how to occupy his time. The secret is that the men have plenty of healthful, agreeable occupation, regular habits, plenty of well-prepared, wholesome food, and as much diversion as the circumstances will permit. They seem as contented as it is possible for insane men to be; with rare exceptions, they sleep well and are healthy.

The physician calls each week, and as much oftener as requested, but, in fact, he has given but seven prescriptions for the patients. It is rare that a man takes to his bed, and in no instance has one been obliged to remain there so long as a week. The one longest in bed suffered from rheumatism. Cleanliness is required of attendants and inmates as well. The entire population must bathe at least once a week.

A sample dinner bill of fare, taken entirely at random, is as follows: Roast beef, beans, boiled potatoes, gravy, white and brown bread, radishes, and tapioca pudding. The bill of fare changes with the day, and is not the same on the same day of successive weeks. We find it economical to use a choice quality of meat and first-class articles of flour and groceries. Frequently there is a short religious service, mostly of song, to which all inmates are invited, but not urged. We welcome any religious teacher who will come and conform to the local conditions.

It has been my pleasure to become personally acquainted with every man, though I found it no small task in addition to my duties as the purchasing agent, superintendent of the development of the plant, the giving close heed to the help, the general management of the farm, and attending to all the various duties which devolve upon the superintendent of a small institution. But by experience I found that the inmates like to know and personally deal with the superintendent, and in turn I found that a study of their peculiarities from day to day, combined with as much knowledge as I could obtain of their past lives, enabled me to give each man the treatment best adapted to divert his thoughts, obtain congenial occupation and make life as comfortable as possible for him. Although the men are occupied and are encouraged to be as useful as may be, I do not permit the attendants to force from them any unwilling service, but I am constrained to say that not a few men devote themselves so wholly to their work as to become more

DISCUSSION.

valuable than the average man whom I have employed to perform similar service on my own farm.

A few of the men have so fully improved as to return to their homes, a number more could safely return if at their homes they could have as favorable conditions as exist at the asylum; that is, regularity of habits, congenial employment, and the kind treatment which the employes seem glad to extend to them.

DISCUSSION.

MR. CARMICHAEL, Hastings: This is a most excellent paper and all that it says I endorse.

CAPT. C. E. FAULKNER: I want to say for one that I sincerely thank the author of this paper for the very simple, concise and direct presentation of a historical fact in the care of the insane. I think that the effect of this simple story will be far-reaching in this state, sir. I am sure that it will receive the hearty endorsement of all who are interested in the care of these unfortunate people. It has been the contention of many and I think conceded by a majority of those who are expert in the care of the insane, that a very large proportion of them could be removed from these larger institutions and domiciled in the more comfortable farm colony life. There has been some objection to that plan raised for one reason and another, but I am very thankful, as a comparatively new citizen of this state, that Minnesota has entered upon this new plan, which I hope will lead to a closer classification in which the social condition of these patients may be taken into account, where they may be domiciled in smaller family groups, and where every possible effort which can be devised in this simple, inexpensive way may be adopted as a substitute for the more expensive and illogical plan of institution management. I have requested Secretary Jackson to kindly prepare a copy of this paper that it may be sent to my old state-Kansas, where this matter is under discussion. I hope that its publication will be a light in the path of sister states all around us who are trying to better the condition of these unfortunate people.

MR. WITHROW: In the line of insanity, there is a law in this state-I think that it refers only to counties of over 50,000 inhabitants-whereby inebriates can be placed in hospitals for treatment for the opium and liquor habit. I don't know whether that is a success or not. We have only placed one from our county. But if it has proven successful I think it ought to be extended to every county in the State of Minnesota.

MR. JACKSON: I regret that there is so little time for the discussion of the paper prepared by Supt. Coleman and read by Supt. Carmichael. I will be particularly glad if Supt. Carmichael could spend some time in going into details that were not possible in the paper. For one, I believe that the State of Minnesota is to be congratulated on having secured superintendents who have been able to open this new work so successfully. I think both of these institutions are being successfully managed. Both of these gentlemen are continually improving, and they expect to; but the opening is auspicious, distinctly auspicious. Minnesota may be congratu

lated.

MR. CARMICHAEL, Hastings: I would like to speak one word about the effect of personal attention and sympathy upon these poor chronic insane patients. Now, I believe that out of the 125 men we have at Hastings not one susceptible of improvement but has improved under the influences that have surrounded them there this summer-the_outdoor occupation and the personal attention we have given them. There is one case in particular. A young man-not young now-young ten years ago when he was prostrated, a student who had just graduated from the University, over-worked, weakened, suffered a sun-stroke, collapsed, became desperate and was sent to Rochester. He was of one of the notable families in Minneapolis, of fine parentage. They did everything they could for him, but

he drifted into this hopeless, dependent condition, recognizing none of his surroundings, nor talking. He had not spoken for years. His sister called on him soon after he came to us and deplored his condition. Mrs. Carmichael made personal effort in his behalf. He was taken out of doors and put to work in the garden. While in the Rochester institution for years he walked aimlessly up and down the corridors; there was lack of occupation and helpfulness. After coming to the asylum he was put to work in the garden in the first spring soil. The attendant was instructed to get him to talk if possible. Mrs. Carmichael and myself interested ourselves in him all we possibly could, and two or three weeks ago we had the pleasure of hearing him talk a few monosyllables at first, but he is now able to construct sentences. An expert on the violin, his knowledge of music apparently departed from him years ago. The other evening I tuned up a violin and handed it to him. His face-a solemn and sad face-lighted up and he smiled. Aimlessly he ran the bow over the strings, incoherently at first, but at last he struck some familiar chords; the noble "Suwanee River" was distinguished, very imperfectly of course, but when he struck the chorus there was not a note missing, and as he sat there the tears ran down his cheeks and he smiled. The sentiment was certainly oppressive.

But who will say there had not been an improvement in that supposed utterly incurable chronic case?

PRESIDENT FOLWELL: The time has come when we must break up. The secretary has expressed the sentiments of all the delegates, and I most heartily join with all he has said, and with a word of thanks I declare this ninth annual session of the conference closed.

MINUTES OF THE CONFERENCE.

EVENING SESSION, MONDAY, OCT. 1, 1900.

The ninth annual State Conference of Charities and Correction was called to order in the Methodist church at Winona, Minn., at 8:15 p. m. Following the opening voluntary on the organ, a quartette, consisting of Miss Emma Ludwig, Mr. and Mrs. George Simpson and Mr. Willis Hastings, sang "Lead, Kindly Light." After prayer by Rev. Van Ness and another selection by the quartette, Hon. Thomas Simpson of Winona delivered the address of welcome, to which a fitting response was made by Hon. J. W. Willis of St. Paul.

Secretary Jackson made a number of announcements, including invitanons to the members of the conference to visit the various institutions of Winona.

President W. W. Folwell then presented the annual address, his topic being "The Economics of Population."

The conference adjourned till 9 a. m. Tuesday.

MORNING SESSION, OCTOBER 2d.

The morning session was held at the Library Building. The meeting was called to order by the president.

Supt. G. A. Merrill read a paper on "The Importation of Dependent Children." The paper was discussed by Rev. E. P. Savage, Capt. C. E. Faulkner, D. D. Brubaker, Northfield, Supt. G. A. Merrill, Secretary J. F. Jackson, Father Cummiskey of Winona, and Hon. J. H. Rich.

A paper on "Poorhouse Management," by Mrs. J. L. Hendry, matron of the Ramsey county poorhouse, was read by Miss A. E. Willard, Red Wing, Mrs. Hendry not being present. The paper was discussed by Supt. George Jarchow, Capt. C. E. Faulkner, Secretary J. F. Jackson, Supt. J. J. Dow, Supt. J. C. Boller of Winona, County Commissioner Andrew Olson, Stillwater, Mrs. J. M. Parker, D. D. Brubaker, Secretary Wm. W. Jones, La Crosse, Hon. C. Amundson, St. Peter, and President W. W. Folwell.

The president announced the following committees:

Committee on Nominations: G. A. Merrill, C. Amundson, J. W. Brown, J. H. Rich, Mrs. F. A. Rising.

Committee on Resolutions: C. E. Faulkner, Peter Nelson, J. J. Dow, Andrew Olson, Miss A. E. Willard.

Committee on Time and Place: J. W. Willis, F. L. Randall, Mrs. J. M.

Parker.

After a short recess Supt. Frank L. Randall, St. Cloud, read a paper on "The Reformation of First Offenders." The discussion was led by Hon, J. W. Willis, followed by Supt. J. W. Brown, President Folwell and F. A. Whittier, St. Paul.

Secretary Jackson followed with some announcements.

Warden C. McC. Reeve, Stillwater, presented the last paper of the session, on "The Purpose of the State Prison." The following persons took part