TABLE VI.

Showing the supposed causes of Idiocy, as far as ascertained, in 1738 cases, in the State of Illinois, by

CIRCULAR.

The Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-minded Children was organized in 1865, and has since been incorporated as one of the permanent charitable Institutions of the State.

The design and object of the Institution are not of a custodial character, but to furnish the means of education to that portion of the youth of the State not provided for in any of its other educational institutions, who are of a proper school-attending age, and who shall remain such periods of time as shall, in the estimation of the Superintendent and Board of Trustees, suffice to impart all the education practicable in each particular case, and in conformity with regulations hereinafter specified.

Children between the ages of ten and eighteen who are idiotic, or so deficient in intelligence as to be incapable of being educated at any ordinary school, and who are not epileptic, insane, or greatly deformed, may be admitted by the Superintendent.

The parents or guardians of those in whose behalf applications are made for admission as pupils, will be required to answer, in writing, such questions as the Superintendent may prescribe.

All pupils will be received upon trial, and will be expected to come to the Institution provided with a supply of neat and substantial clothing. A bond will be required, in all cases, with securities, accompanied by a certificate of the county.clerk that the sureties are responsible, to insure the removal of the pupil, when required by the Superintendent, free of expense to the Institution, its officers or agents, and the provision of comfortable and suitable clothing or pay for such as may be furnished the pupil during its continuance in the school.

Pauper pupils must have a certificate from the county judge, that the county court or board of supervisors have passed an order that the county from which they are sent will be responsible for clothing, incidental expenses and traveling expenses incurred on account of said pupils; also, guaranteeing that said pupils shall be taken away during the annual vacation each year, without expense to the Institution, or any of its officers or agents.

FORM OF BOND.

Know all men by these presents, That we, and...

.as principal,

as security, are held and firmly bound unto the Board of Trustees of the "Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Children," in the penal sum of.......

..dollars, for the true payment whereof

we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.

Sealed with our seals, and dated this............ day of .......................

18..

has placed

The conditions of the above obligation are such, that whereas, the said in charge of the said obligees an imbecile child, for the purpose of being trained and instructed, as provided for by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, entitled "An act incorporating the Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Children," approved the 6th

of April, 1871, and has agreed to furnish the said child with comfortable and suitable clothing, or pay for such as may be furnished during ............... continuance in the school, and also to remove the

said child from the Institution whenever required, without charge to the Institution or any of its officers or agents.

Now, if the said

shall well and truly perform the conditions aforesaid, then this obligation to be void: otherwise to remain in full force and effect.

Superintendent Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Children:

SIR: By virtue of an order of the

county, passed..

of

18.., and in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of "An act incorporating the Illinois Institution for the Education of FeebleMinded Children," approved April 6th, 1871, I, Judge of the County Court is a resident of

of

... county, do hereby certify that

.....

county, that he is a pauper, and proper subject for the care of said Institution, under the provisions of section 11 of said law.

Therefore,

county will be responsible for all necessary clothing, and also all travelto or from the Institution to

ing expenses incurred in the transportation of said said county.

shall be returned

And it is hereby understood and agreed, that said to said county during the annual vacation, each year, or whenever the Superin. tendent of said Institution shall so order, at the expense of said county, unless other arrangements be made, satisfactory to said Superintendent, at expense of said county. In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, and cause the Seal of the County Court, to be attached hereto, this day of..............., 18.. -, Judge of the County Court of Clerk of the County Court of ... County.

ATTEST:

County.

The education furnished by the Institution will include not only the simpler elements of instruction usually taught in common schools, where that is practicable, but will embrace a course of training in the more practical matters of every-day life, the cultivation of habits of decency, propriety, self-reliance, and the development and enlargement of a capacity for useful occupation.

There will be a vacation during the months of July and August, at which period all pupils must be removed from the Institution by their parents or guardians, if required by the Superintendent.