The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-10-06
Judge Johnson ON the LuRatic
Asylum.


Dodge. as well as all the smaller fry of Lo-
cofoco stumpers, have devoted a good share
of their remarks to the denunciation Of the
Lunatic Asylum appropriations. In this
onslaught the Dodge Democracy desire not
only to damage the Republicans, but to ruin
Judge johnson, of our county, who has al
ways been warm advocate of the Asylum,
and one of the Commissioners for its con-
struction.
In reply to some structures made upon the
matter by member of the Constitutional
Convention, of which he was also a member,
Judge johnson said:
In the winter of 1854 and 1865, the Legis-
lature of this State made an appropriation of
fifty thousand dollars to commence the build
ing of an Insane Asylum. The limitation
was fixed at fifty thousand dollars, but a
mere commencement of the building was con-
templated The Governor of the State. DR..
Clarke, and myself, were appointed Commits
sioners; and, in accordance with the direc-
ton of the Legislature, we proceeded to the
East for the purpose of examining other in
stitutions of a similar kind through tie States.
We found that the Legislature had had very
little idea Of what was actually needed for
such an institution, and indeed we ourselves
had no idea Of the magnitude of the subject.
Having consulted the most eminent author
lties in relation to the matter-among others,
Doctor Kirkbright, of Philadelphia, and DR..
Bell, Of Boston,-we were advised by them
not to attempt to erect any building for fifty
thousand dollars. They told us, further,
that it was impossible to erect proper build
ing of this kind, unless it was erected as
whole-as an entirety.
This was in the spring Of 1855. Prior to
that time the Commissioners had received
letters from every part Of the State. We
heard that there were human beings in this
State bowling and gnashing their teeth in all
the ungovernable phrenzy of madness and
insanity. That there were chained by the
legs in out-houses, and otherwise disposed
of, in the most miserable condition, at least
one hundred or one hundred and fifty people
all over this State. And the question forced
itself upon the Commissioners, whether they
would abandon the attempt for the time, and
wait until the session of the Legislature for
1856 and 81 before they would do anything
in regard to the matter, or take the respon.
sibility upon themselves of building such a
building as the wants Of this unfortunate
class of people demanded, and the dignity
and honor of the State required. In view of
the situation these unfortunate beings, the
Commissioners determined to take the re-
sponsibility Of building such structure ac-
cording to the most approved plan. and the
latest model of construction. The Legisla-
propriated fifty thousand dollars; they met
in extra session the following December -
And the same Legislature, upon being in
formed verbally, for the Commissioners had
not time to make out report, Of the situa-
ton of the insane throughout the State, and
the Importance of having different building
from that they had contemplated, this Legis-
ature repealed the limitation which had been
before placed upon the Commissioners, and
made another appropriation offifty thousand
dollars. ....... ..
Now the Commissioners did not act in vi
olation of law. There had been nothing
done up to that time by the Commissioners
but what could have been repealed by the
Legislature, and nothing been lost And
again in the last session of the Legislature a
report was made by the Commissioners to
the Legislature, stating all the facts, some-
what in the same manner as have stated
them here this evening. And that Legisla-
ture made another appropriation of forty
thousand dollars. And the only reason they
did not make an appropriation of one hundred
thousand dollars, was that there were consti-
administrations, as they supposed, against
going over the sum of forty thousand dollars.
This is the truth of this matter, and de-
sire to have it go upon the record along with
what has been said by the gentleman from
johnson, Mr.. Clarke.l | take pleasure in
saying, that do not suppose that the gen.
tleman had any intention to reflect personally
upon the Commissioners But when the
statement was made that the Commissioners
had acted in violation of law, it was import
ant that l should get up in my place here,
and make the statement l have made.
would have done so before; would have
done so at the time, but the previous ques
ton was called, and have not had an op-
portunity since until now.
Now another word in regard to the expense.
Itwas said that this building was expensive
gentlemen emphasized that great deal. II
is true so far as regards dollars and cents,
that building is expensive. But it is just the
kind of building that class of sufferers de.
manded, and no other building would answer
the purpose. 1t is building planned by the
highest authority in this country in those
matters. And it Is building which we viii
be proud of in the future.
Now let me say one word about these build
ings, and then I will dismiss this whole sub
| iecf We find that No hnild;pp Of tho l. lind