The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-21

propriated at the last regular session for
the general support of the Prison, there
remains expended an amount so large, |
that. in the opinion Of the Warden, no
appropriation will be needed at the pres
ent session. These officers, however, as
well as those in charge of the Insane AS
ylum, the Asylunis for the Deaf and
Dumb, and the Blind, and all others who
have been charged with the duty of pro-
curin. for the State either labor, mater
ills or merchandise Of any kind for or
binary Stae purposes, have been contin
ually embarrassed for the want Of money,
and have been compelled to carry on
their operations, and make their purchas-
cs, at great disadvantage, with warrants
on the Treasury. Ofcourse they have
been compelled to pay higher prices in
warrants than they would have had to
pay in cash. As soon as these warrants
are delivered, they are presented to the
Treasury, and endorsed unpaid for want
Of funds, and from that time draw eight
per cent. interest, SO that the excess Of
price and interest are so much clear loss
to the State that might be saved if our
taxes were promptly paid. Neither
States non Individuals can manage their
affairs in this manner without serious
present embarrassment and great uli-
mate loss, and in my judgment il is
clearly your duty, as guardians Of the
public welfare, to see to it that this state
OF affairs shall not continue. The re
ports OF The officers of the Penilenitiary
show The sums, which, in their opinion
should be appropriated by you, and the
objects for which they are needed.
Whilst am satisfied lhat all these oh
jects are legitimate, and that the accom-
plishment of them would add much to
the safety and completeness of the Pris-
on, cannot in the present condition of
our finances recommend appropriations
for all. The completion of the third tier
of cells, additional accommodations for
the hospital. additional shop-room, and a
new cis'ern, are, perhaps indispensable
and should be provided for
The suit pen-l;ny for some years be
tween the Warden and the contractors fol
the labor Of the convicts, has been deci-
ded, and in my judgment, very unfavor-
ably 10 the State. In view Of this decis-
ion. it will be necessary that considerable
additions be made to the present shop
room in the prison ysrl, unless it be de-
iermined TO feed and clothc the conyicta
at the expense of the State, and furnish
their labor and shop-room for them gra-
taitously. | recommend that Special
Committee be sent TO examine what steps
can be taken to protect the interests Of
the State in this particular. The prescii
contract for convict labor will expire on
the first day Of June, 1864. In order to
have fair compete OF for the re letting oil
that labor at the expiration Of the present
contract, provisions therefore should be
made at the present session, and if posi-
be, such provision should be made By
law rs viii prevent, under new contract,
The heavy losses the State has sustained
Ter Tic present one.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The reports Of the proper officers Of the
deaf and dumb and blind asylums are
herewith submitted These institutions
appeal 50 strongly to our better feelings
and the necessities of those for whose
beneG they are intended are so peculia,
and so urgent, that ] cannot withhold
my e commentator that the usual ap
prop iiliJns be made for their support
The appropriation made at the last regu
lar session for the new building for lhc
blind at Vinton has been expended in tht
mlnner required by law.-The building
is now lclosed. and is not, as | under
and, liable to injury by exposure TO th'
weather, and submit whether it is moi
advisable, in our present financial condi
ton to withhold the appropriation neces
rs to complete it until the next session
of the General Assembly. The failure tc
make this appropriation will not preven
tie proper care and instruction Of the pu
pills, in the meantime, as they can be wei
p divided for in the building now occupied
BY them. You viii learn by the report:
of the officers Of the Insane Asylum tia
that institution, so long and SO mucl
needed, has been for some months IL
successful operation, The appropriation
made al the last regular session for fla
ishiag and furnishing the center and cas-
wing Of the building has proved to b.
more than sufficient for that purpose, anC
there is considerable balance unexpend
ed. The number of patients now in the
institution is nearly or quite sufficient &c
fill All the finished portion Of The building
and much Inconvenience arises from The
fact that patients of both sexes are con
fined in the same wing. This fact, viii
the additional one that before the mex
session large portion of the now unfn
ished part of the building will in all prob
ability be needed for the reception of pa
TENTS, induces me to recommend, as
earnestly do, that an appropriation be
now made which, with the unexpended
balance of the last appropriation, Will be
sufficient TO finish and furnish the ives
wing. Every one who has Witnessed lht
misery and degradation, and knows thu
hopelessness OF the cure Of those poor un
forum ltes when confined in the cells o
our county jlils, and has also witnessed
Their comparative happiness AMI comfort
and knows the prospect for their restora
tion in The Asylum, will insist that Thu
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