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The total appropriations made by the state from 1850 to 1878, inclusive, amount to $697,097.91.

TABLE showing the number of pupils in attendance during each year of the existence of the Institution.

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The Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, is located in Delavan, Walworth county, on the Western Union Railroad. The land first occupied by this Institution being 11 46-100 acres, was donated by Mr. F. K. PHOENIX, & member of the first board of trustees, but the original boundaries were afterwards enlarged on three sides by the purchase of twentytwo acres. The building is attractive in appearance, both externally and internally, furnishing a pleasant home for an unfortunate class. The Institute is under the charge of five trustees, appointed by the Governor, for the term of three years, and is supported by annual appropriations from the Legislature. It was originally a private school for deaf mutes, near and subsequently in the village of Delavan, but was incorporated by act of the Legislature, April 19, 1852. A complete organization was effected in June following.

The design of the Institute is the education of that portion of the children and youth of the state who, on account of deafness, cannot be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given by signs, by written language, and by articulation. In the earlier stages of education, the books used are prepared expressly for the deaf and dumb; more advanced pupils study toxt books used in our common schools, the chief object being to teach them verbal language, so as to enable them to communicate with their fellow men. Three trades are taught cabinet making, shoemaking and printing. The shop for the former was opened in March, 1860; the latter in 1867, and print

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ing during the last year. While their profit, or even paying expenses ought not to be the test of their value- which consists chiefly in fitting the pupils for earning a livelihood - these shops are almost self-supporting.

The statute provides that all deaf and dumb residents of the state of the age of ten years and under twenty-five years, of suitable capacity to receive instruction, shall be received and taught free of charge for board and tuition, but parents or guardians are expected to furnish clothing and pay traveling expenses.

The school year commences on the first Wednesday of September, and continues forty weeks; the financial year on the first day of October. The whole number of deaf and dumb persons in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, is seven hundred and twenty, about one-third of whom are perhaps of proper age to receive the benefits of this school. The attendance last year was one hundred and eighty, and the average annual attendance since the Institution was organized in 1832, is about ninety-seven.

The total appropriations made by the state from 1852 to 1877, inclusive, for buildings, amounts to $121,777.35. The appropriations for current expenses from 1852 to 1873, inclusive, amounts to $560,647.48.

COUNTIES from which pupils were in attendance during the last year:

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