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The trustees have adopted a series of regulations for the government of the asylum, and for a strict accountability for all moneys received, and for all property in charge of its officers. They have appointed an executive committee of three of their number to take immediate charge of the institution, visit it and draw all moneys for its expenditures.

The expenses incurred in what may be called the capital of the asylum, the preparation of the building, the introduction of water, and for furniture and apparatus, and such articles as are not in the class of annual expenses, have been about $3,500. The current expenses for subsistence, salaries, fuel, labor, &c., already incurred, are about $1,725; many of these are on hand for future consumption. The balance of the appropriation of $6,000 for the current year, with the amount received and to be received from pay pupils, amounting to about $1,500, will probably defray all the expenses of the year. Should there be any deficiency, the surplus of the appropriation for the next year will be more than sufficient to meet it, and unless the Legislature direct that a larger number of State pupils shall be received, the balance of the appropriation for the next year will be abundant for all its expenses, as the expenditures for permanent purposes will have been made. Ten additional State pupils, however, may be accommodated in the present building, which will not increase the annual expense more than $1,500. A greater number could not be received without excluding pay pupils who contribute very much to the support of the asylum, and whose claims upon our sympathies are as strong as those of the other class, and for whose education no other similar institution exists in our State.

So far as the trustees have had the opportunity of for forming an opinion from the information they have acquired on the subject, generally, and particularly from their observation of the pupils in the asylum during the time they have been there, they entertain no doubt that in a large majority of cases, idiots may be so trained and instructed as to render them useful to themselves and fitted to learn some of the ordinary trades, or to engage in agriculture. Their minds and souls can be developed, so that they may become responsible beings, and be made acquainted with their relations to a Creator and a future state; and in all cases almost without exception, they can be made cleanly and neat in their personal habits, and enjoy many of the comforts of life, while they will cease to be regarded as encumbrances, and annoyances to the families in which they reside. The report of the Superintendent, Dr. Wilbur, to the trustees, which accompanies this communication, presents such full, clear and able views of the condition of idiots and their capability of improvement as to supersede the necessity of any further observations by us. Those who are desirous of information on the subject will find in that report the results of thorough scientific investigations and of practical experience. And the trustees cannot forbear to remark, that they regard the State and the cause of idiots, as having been exceedingly fortunate in our having such a Superintendent, who engages in this irksome charity from the highest principles of Christian benevolence.

We do not understand his recommendation for an enlargement of the capacity of the institution, as being intended for immediate action. At all, events, the trustees are of the opinion that for the term of two years originally contemplated, the school should not exceed forty pupils. And they are of opinion that more than 150 pupils cannot be properly attended to by one Superintendent, however numerous his assistants. Each case of idiocy is peculiar and unlike any other and requires peculiar treatment. Hence the pupils cannot be arranged in classes, at least for a long time, and when in classes the training and education of each must be guided by an experienced and steady hand. The oversight of many assistants is calculated to distract the attention of the principal and divert him from his appropriate duties.

The idea is entertained by some, that to make such schools available to a large number, they should be multiplied and established in the different localities where they can receive pupils from a district of country surrounding them, while they could in time be furnished with practiced teachers, trained and prepared at the State institution. It is not improbable that some such plan will be found necessary. But we are yet without the means of arriving at any safe conclusion. The number of idiots or imbeciles in the State, and their residences, are unknown. The census returns included idiots and lunatics in the same class. It will be necessary to obtain accurate information on these points, before definite action can be had. And we would respectfully submit to the Legislature the propriety of requiring the assessors of the towns and wards and cities, to ascertain the number, age, sex and condition in respect to health, of all idiots within their assessment districts; and of requiring the superintendents of alms houses, county and town poor houses to make similar returns of the idiots under their charge. With such information before the Legislature, and with the benefits of the experiment making at the State asylum, for the ensuing year, as well as other information to be obtained from Europe and our sister States, plans can be matured which will command the confidence of all. In the mean time public attention will be awakened to the subject, the sympathy of our fellow citizens will be aroused, and public sentiment enlightened by discussion and experience, will be prepared to sustain the Legislature in any judicious measures for an object so benevolent.