The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-09-27
Judge johnston ON the Lunatic Asy-

ruare Johnss on q N the Iumatic Asy-
tum.
Dodge, AZ we'll a. Ill the smaller fry Of
Locofoeo stumpsrs, have devoted good
share Of their remarks 70 the denunciation Of
tho Lonatio Asylum appropriations. In this
onslaught the Dodge Democracy desire not
only to damage the Republicans, but to ruin
Judge Johnston, of our county,. who has o.
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 member,
Judge Johnston said:
In the winter Of 1854 and 1855, 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
mere commencement of the building was
contemplated. The Governor of the State,
DIR. Clarke, and myself were appointed Com
missioners and, in accordance with the di-
recton OF the Legislature, We proceeded to
the East for the purpose Of examining other
institutions Of = similar kind through the
States. We found that the Legislature had
had very little idea Of what was actually need
| cd for such IN institution, and indeed We
ourselves had no idea Of the magnitude Of the
subject Having consulted the most eminent
authorities 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 1
proper building of this kind, unless it was
4 erected "a . whole--as nm 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 we're human beinge In this
State bowling and gnashing their teeth in oil
the ungovernable phrensy Of madness and
insanity. That there we're chained by the
legs in out houses, and otherwise disposed Of
| in the most miserable condition, ct least one
hundred or one hundred and fifty people all
over this State. And the question forced il.
self upon the Commissioners, whether they
/ would abandon the attempt for the time, and
wait until the session OF the Legislature for
1856 and '57, before they would do anything
in regard to the natter, or take the respon-
sibility upon themselves Of building such q
building a. the wants OF this unfortunate
Glass Of people demanded, and the dignity
and the honor of the State required. la view
of the situation of these unfortunate beings.
the Commissioners determined to take the
responsibility Of building such structure
according to the most approved plan, and the
latest model of construction. The Legisla
ture met, the same Legislature that had ap.
proprated City 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 tho State, and
/ the Importance of having different building
from that they had contemplated, this Legis-
lature repealed the limitation which had been
before placed upon the Commissioners, and
made another appropriation Of Fifty 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 ell the facts, somewhat
in the same manner as | have stated them
here this evening. And that Legislature AIDE
another appropriation of forty thousand dol
lars. And the only reason they did not make
an appropriation Of one hundred thousand
dollars, was that there were constitutional
restrictions, as they supposed, against going
over tue sum of forty thousand dollars.
i This is the truth of this matter, and de-
sire to have it 60 upon the record along with
what has been said By the gentleman from
johnson, Mr.. Clarke. | take pleasure in
say ing, that do not suppose that the gen
tleman had any intention to reflect personal
~ upon the Commissioners. But when the
statement was made that the Commissioner
had acted in violation Of law, it was import.
ant that | should get up in my place here,
and make the statement / have made.
would have done so before; | would have
done SO at the time, but the previous CUES
ton was called, and | have not had an op-
portunity since until now.
Now another word in regard to the expense
1t was said that this building was expensive
gentlemen emphasized that great deal. l,
is true SO far az regards dollars and cents
that building 10 expensive. But it is just thu
kind Of building that class Of sufferers de.
handed, and no other building would answer
the purpose. Il is building planned ty ths
4 highest Authority in this country in those
matters. And il is building which we viii
be proud Of in the future.
Now let me say one word about these build
ings, and then will dismiss this whole sub
ject. We iDd that no building Of the kind
can be properly constructed in this country
for less than two hundred thousand dollars
or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
that is the lowest amount fixed by medica
superintendsnts Of the insane, and some "a
even beyond that. And - before remarke
only some two hundred and fifty or three
hundred persons oan be accommodated in q
building Of this kind. Sogentlemen will sex
that it was impossiblefor Us, acting not only
under oath, but in view Of the responsibility
of the position in which We we're placed ii
regard to this unfortunate class Of people wht