The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-09-10
So 90 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.

in our entire population was one in fousteen
hundred. II .hls years census of the State,
! therefore, shows that we have seven hun
dred thousand people, as it is reported, we
ought to have accommodates Tor i've hun
dred lunatics. In 1856 the census taken did
not accurately distinguished between imbe-
ciltv, dcmeptia and unacy, but our proper
ton Of insane people then according to the
| former population. was three hundred and
seventy out of population Of five hundred
and nineteen thousand. These facts will
show whether the Asylu-n is too large.
ITS ARRANGEMENT AND FINISH.
have never heard it charged that any
money had been unnecessarily expended in
finishing or decorating the Asylum. II isl
plain. substantial structure, with an iron
roof as near fire. proof as it could well be
made, with n very plain and cheap finish
both inside and out, and embracing MI the
valuable modern Improvements. The North
ampton, Mass. Asylum, built of brick, at
the same time with this and on the same plan,
cost more tt an this will when completed.
and those who have examined both say that
the Iowa Asylum will be intrinsically worth
at least ST., 600 the most. On this subject
call attentian to the letter Of Mr.. Winslow,
Of the lAtiss1st. @
WHO ADVOCATED AND VOTED APPROPRIATIONS
FOR IT.
No one ever conceived the idea of connect
ing the Asylum with politics until last year.
Every appropriation that has been made for
it has been advocated and voted for by the
most prominent men Of both political par
ties in the General Assembly. Such demo-
Gratis as Coolbaugh, Brigham, Allen, fisher,
Stewart. Trimble, Belknap, Samucls,
Clarke, Tracy, Love, have invariably advo-
Gated and voted for the highest appropria-
tons that were named. As legislators they
have exhibited humane and commendable
zeal for the success of the institution. and
one of them, my neighbor, and immediate
representative, has been freely consulted,
aud has as freely given his advice in re-
gard to every material act OF the commits
soners.
WHEN WILL IT re COMPLETED?
A large part is already finished, another
large part is nearly completed, and the whole
can be speedily finished at comparatively
small expense. 1t was thought that the ap-
preparation last made would be sufficient,
but it fell short. The former Commission
crS assumed some responsibility, personal
and oincal, in the hope that the building
would be prepared for the reception Of pa
tients before this time. Their successors
would have done the same but for this fool
ish attempt to mingls politics with the Asy
lum and its management. Although have
had no official connection with it for nearly
two years, vet, when | saw the attempt made
last year TO make the Asylum an element in
the political canvass, advised the Commits
slOners to assume no responsibility in con-
nection with it, and let the blame for it's
non. completion fall where it belongs.
| think have shown Nat the Asylum was
esta bllshed, the Commissioners appointed, |
and the plans for the building approved by |
a Legislature Of which one branch was dem
ocratc and the other anti democrat, and |
that all appropriations for the work done
upon il, were voted for by members of all /.
parties, without the slightest regard to their
political predictions. And thus falls to
the ground the charge that any political .
party is responsible. as a pdrtY, for any
thing that has been done in connection With |.
the Insane Asylum. If the Commissioners .
sancH, if they have perpetrated a fraud up
on the State, or upon individuals, let them |
be made to respond for it before the proper |
tribunals. | have heard no charge Of this
kind. If they have managed imprudently. |
unwisely, that will be a proper subject Of
comment when they become candidates be- |
fore the people. But DO, as citizen.
protest against the precedent now sough.
to be established of making the humane in
situations of the State, shuttlecocks to be
knocked back and forth between the two |
politica! parties.
have made this statement that tic poo
PIE may know the exact facts in regard to .
the Asylum, and not by way of apology. |
am proud of my connection with that insti-
tuition, and the time is not remote when the
democratic party will be proud that their
Representatives stand so unanimously re-
corded in its favor.
One word more. read last year, in the
speech Of candidate for a State Office, a
statement that the ASy lum was established
By the Commissioners, ut Mt. Pleasant spe-
clally for my benefit rs large owner Of
real estate in that city and its vicinity. The
law Of the State already cited, shows that
the location was made by the General As
sembly, and the records Of Henry County
will show, to whoever examines them, that
never owned but one lot in Mt. Pleasant,
which sold long before the Insane ASYLUM
was established there. and that | do not,
and never did, own any property in the VI
vinity Of that place. 1t rust have required
n very fertile imagination to conceive the
idea that the proximity of a Lunatic Asylum
would enhance the value of real estate.
JAMES W. GRIMES.