The general condition of the property is good. The management of the gardens is especially commendable. The laundry work is very much crowded for want of sufficient space. A great improvement could be made, at moderate expense, by converting the old power-house into a building to be used for laundry purposes. The internal condition of the power-house is good. No provisions, however, for a retaining wall outside have been made and the bank has caved in some places. This should be rem edied. The excavation for the new cottage and for some new foundation work has progressed. The pressure for admission of new inmates is constant and a new cottage dormitory is urgently necessary. In addition to this extension an industrial and school building is needed and should be considered in any extensions proposed for the coming year. The general health of the inmates has been good, but little sickness having occurred during the past year. The resignation of Dr. Benoit, late resident physician, causes a vacancy not yet filled. At the present time the medical service of the institution is provided for by the attendance of a physician from outside. The new cottage, completed since last report, has room for 60 inmates. It contains two main floors and a basement devoted to service. The additional room afforded by this cottage is already discounted, and the pressure on the institution for admission of inmates remains as strong as ever, indicating the urgent necessity for enlargement. During the past year several inmates who have been trained in the institution have been placed out in families, and reports thus far are encouraging for the continuance of such disposition of properly selected cases. While it cannot be expected that a large number of such cases can be so placed, the possibility of making even a limited number of these women self-supporting is an evidence of the value of such custodial training for such defectives. This institution has a capacity for 550 inmates. The number of inmates present October 1, 1900, was 352. One hundred and nineteen were admitted during the year, making the total num. ber under care 471. The average number present during the year was 399. The general condition of the buildings occupied by the inmates is neat and the farm buildings also are generally in good order. The grading about the administration building is still incomplete and much additional work is required here. Some important additions are required to the buildings. A proper mortuary building should be provided, as the present facilities are very poor and wholly inadequate and inappropriate. An additional ward building for men is very essential, and provision should be made for not less than 150 additional beds. Insufficient facilities for the storage of vegetables result in an actual loss to the State from inability to preserve all the products of the farm and garden. A railroad switch would greatly facilitate the delivery and receipt of the freight required by the institution. This is now obtained by teaming, an expensive resort. Such a switch, entering upon the grounds of the institution, while a considerable item of expenditure in its establishment, would be paid for in three years by the amount now expended for teaming. Somewhat extensive repairs, painting and betterments are required in some of the present buildings. The rapid progress made on the new buildings gives promise that by the beginning of the new year one will be occupied and that the other will be ready before the close of the fiscal year. These will increase the capacity to 660. The question of extensive additions to this institution for the accommodation of additional inmates is an important one. Each of the three State institutions for the care of the idiotic and feeble-minded is crowded to its fullest capacity. In the several almshouses maintained by the public, as well as in the private charitable institutions in the State, are many feebleminded and idiotic persons who should be removed to some insti tution such as this at Rome or the one at Newark. The school at Syracuse for feeble-minded children should be relieved of about 150 adults, who ought to be transferred to the institu tions at Rome and Newark. A considerable extension of the accommodations for inmates in this asylum is, therefore, necessary, and should be at once provided for by the enactment of the required legislation. Respectfully submitted, ENOCH V. STODDARD, M. D., Chairman. |