Demoine courier., 1854-12-14

Inc ESTABLISHMENT and endowment Of
an asylum for lunatics, 10 a measure
which should commend itself TO your
favorable consideration. We cannot but
DO aware OF the fact, that we have a
considerable number Of those unfortunate
persons in our State, who have strong
claims upon our sympathy and bounty.
and who must be removed from their
friends TO other States in order 10 obtain
the means Of alternating and improving
their condition, or of being confined IN
our jails and poor houses.
By an &C, Of Congress, admitting the
Stale of Iowa into the Union, approved
March I'd, ls45, all salt springs within
the State no. exceeding twelve in number,
with six sections Of land adjoining or as
contiguous as might be. to each, were
granted to the State for it's use. with a
proviso that the General Assembly
should never lease or sell the same, a,
any one time. for a longer period than
ten years, without the consent of Con-
gress.
Under these provisions an act was
passed by the General Assembly. ap.
proved February 9Th, 1851. providing.
tina, as soon as the consent Of Congress
could be obtained these lands nigh, be
sold. and ,ha. the proceeds should con.
s%,itu,e a fund for founding and supporting
a lunatic asylum; and further providing
that the amount realized should be in.
vested, and the interest only to be used
for that purpose, unless the Commission.
ers Of the asylum should' think tina. the
good of the State required eight thousand
dollars Of The principal fund 10 assist in
the building and furnishing of said asy.
lum. Five thousand dollars was also
authorized to be paid, a. the discretion OF
the Superintendent Of Public instruction,
for the use Of the College OF Physicians
and Surgeons at Keokuk.
Congress having giver .their consen,
that the lands might be sold, an act was
passed on the Goth cay OF January. 1853,
for the carrying GU, of the purposes ex-
pressed by the act of February 9Th, 1851.
In consequence Of The rejection by the
general government of a portion of the
land which it had before selected for the
State, aud in order that others might be
made, | appointed Israel Keis.er. Esq,
as agent for that purpose, a copy of
whose report is herewith transmitted
As yet | have received no information
whether the last selection has been ap-
proved or rejected.
Should you believe that the promp,
sale Of these lands would not be sufi-
Ecient to establish and maintain the asy.
lum. after paying the five thousand dol
lars 10 the Medical College at Keokuk,
then / submit whether il would not be
highly appropriate to provide other ways
and means to accomplish an object so
desirable.
Your attention is invited to the report
OF the Inspectors Of the Penitentiary,
which is here with submitted, and which,
together with the report Of the Warden,
which will doubtless be laid before you,
will exhibit the affairs Of the prison for
the last two years. By an &C, of the
General Assembly, approved January
18th, 1853, the Inspectors and Wardens
were authorized 10 lease or hire u the
prisoners 10 be worked in the shops upon
the prison grounds, if they should deem
that the interests of the State would be
the les, promoted by SO doing. They
have accordingly executed a contract,
hiring the services of the convicts for the
term OF ten years from the first day of
June, 1854. This contract, with The re.
port of the officers, will be subjects for
your careful investigation, and should ii
appear that the laws and regulations for
the government, of the prison are def.
Client, such other provisions should be
made as will secure economy and good
order in the administration Of ito affairs.
1t ia necessary that | should again cali
your attention TO the improvement Of the
Des Moines river, which in consequence
of the many difficulties and obstacles
which have been presented from time TO
time, has made but slow progress towards
completion. At the last session of tho
General Assembly, after an investigation
Of The condition Of the improvement, acts
were passed providing for the election of
a Commissioner and Register, by the
qualified electors of the State on the fret
Monday of April. 1853, and at the same
time appointing George u. Wright Of
Van Buren, and Uriah Biggs of Wspello
county as assistant Commissioners, in
vesting them with full power and author.
itv to sell and dispose of all the lands
tolls and water rents, as they might deem
most expecient for the early completion
and vigorous prosecution of the improve
ment.
Under these provisions of law a con
tract has been made with Mr.. Henry
O'Rielly and others for the completion
OF the improve ment-a portion Of the old
debts have been paid, and the work is
said to be progressing In the report of
the Commissioner and Register. which
will be laid before you, will undoubtedly
be found the contract and all the infor.
maiian which may be necessary for a full
understanding of the business intrusted
to the charge OF those officers. who. il is
believed, with the assistant Commission.
ers. have done everything in their pow
er to carry GU. the provisions and ~ins,ruc.
| lions of the In ma nnder which thev ha 20