STATE DEPARTMENT, MICHIGAN, HON. JOHN J. BAGLEY, Governor of the State of Michigan: SIR-In compliance with law, I have the honor to submit herewith the Second Annual Abstract of Statistical Information relative to the Insane, Deaf, Dumb, and Blind in the State at the time of taking the general assessment for the year 1874. It contains information from fifty of the seventy organized counties in the State. In seven of the counties not represented there are no insane, deaf, dumb, or blind persons; in two-Menominee and Wexford -the county clerks think there are none, and in five others the supervisors made no reports. The clerk of Alpena says "there are no returns to make,” and no information has been received from five counties, viz.: Grand Traverse, Mackinac, Manistee, Manitou, and Montcalm. I find it impossible for the year preceding the session of the Legislature to prepare the abstract in time to present to the Legislature at the commencement of its session, as required by the first section of the act providing for the collection and publication of the statistics. The same section requires the county clerks to lay before, and condense the statements of the supervisors under the direction of the board of supervisors, and to forward the condensed statement to the Secretary of State. In many cases these condensed statements do not reach the Secretary of State until December, and in some instances not until January. I would suggest that the law be amended so as to require the supervisors to make their reports to the clerks on or before the fifteenth day of June, and requiring the clerks to forth with forward the supervisors' reports to the Secretary of State. This would enable the Secretary of State to present the abstract to the Governor probably before the thirtieth day of September in each year. Very respectfully, E. G. D. HOLDEN, |
