Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-03-25

To The Thirteenth General assembly,:
Your Committee appointed to visit the
Asylum for the Insane, loca ed aud in
course OF erection at Independence, Blu.
chanan county, have performed that duty,
and submit the following report:
The site selected for the institution is a
pleasant one, and the land donated BY the
citizens Of independence, being 800 acres,
is unduating rich prairie, and conveniently
near the town. Your Commute examined,
as best they could, that portion of the build
ing under contract, with the walls of one
story completed above the basement. The
foundation is built OF a kind of rock known
in that country as prairie granite, which
seems to be as firm and durable as the gen.
uine granite. 1t presents rough exterior,
but your Committee are OF opinion, ii there
is no defect in laying up the wall, it will
| first story above the basement is taken from
the quarres at Farley and Anamosa, pre-
sent a beautiful appearance, and so far as
your Committee are able to judge, will make
a substantial and durable wall. The work
so far as it has progressed, seems to be
done in an honest, substantial manner.
Your Committee examined with care all
contracts and bonds, books, papers and ac-
counts in the hands of the Commissioners,
| and found them quite satisfactory. The
appropriation made by the las; General
Assembly has SO far been judicicusly ex-
pended.
The completion alone of that portion of
the building now under contract, consisting
&c ~ ftb, L..
tudinal and two transvt rse-could be OF but
little advantage to the State. 1t would rem
der necessary the erection of temporary en-
CINE house, heating apparatus, &C., which
would eventually be only money thrown
away, and when comp ted, it would not
accommodate to exceed seventy-fve pa
tients. Your Committee are OF the opinion
that it would be economy fer the State to
make this session as large an appropriation
as the finances of the State will permit, after
dealing justly with other institutions of the
State. The institution cannot in all prob
ability be completed any sooner shan the
pleted now, doubtless would be well filled
in short time.
Your Committee would suggest, that a
sufficient appropriation at least, be made to
complete two additional sections of the left
wing-permanent engine house, heating APP.
paratus, water works, &c.,-and put that
portion ofthe building in condition to be
occupied at the earliest day possible. By
completing two additional sections, one lon
gitudinal and one transverse-the transverse
section being large four-story building :
cconomizing room and using the basement
under the tour-story section temporarily for
kitchen purposes-there will be room for
the accommodation of about one hundred
and twenty patients, and the engine-house,
and all the out-buildinss can he made per-
manent, and that portion of the institution
complete in all its arrangements. With the
aid OF the superintendent, Mr.. JossIyn, we
have made The following estimates for such
appropriations as your Committee deem alb
solu,ele necessary to be made. in order to
place the institution and portion of the
former in condition to be occupied and
cultivated:
Contract price for three sections SIS 1li00