The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-01-18

marks Of that officer upon the last
named topic.
The expenses OF the institution
during the term were $40,007 ~.
The expenditures for improve
ments ordered by the General As
sembly were s29, ,833 IS and for
the Industrial Home $649.36. Tho
support Of this institution is provi-
dcd for by tho payment from the
State Treasury Of the sum Of forty
dollars per quarter for each pupil,
and for current expenses Of the
further sum Of % 900 per annum.
An Industrial Home was PROVIDED
for BY the General Assembly but
owing TO the large number pressing
for Submission into tho school, only
six could be received into the Homo
during the term, and still less, it is
thought, can be accommodated dur
the next two years.
would suggest that the General
Assembly fix definitely the name Of
this institution. Il is called in the
act organizing it the aAsylum Of tho
Blind" but in more subsequent acts
it IL incidentally denominated the
"Institution for the Education Of the
Blind.n The latter, or q shorter
title with the same Significance,
would be preferable. s.Asylum"
is evidently not proper designa-
ton.
INSTITUTION OF. THE DEAF AND
In the month of December, 1870,
tho school Of the Institution Of the
Deaf and Dumb opened in the new
building at Council Bluffs, with nine
ty-one pupils in attendance. The
whole number in the school during
the two years was 119--an increase
OF seven over the previous term.
The State contributes to the gen.
ersl support and current expenses of
this Institution the same amount
pro rata and annually as to that Of
the blind. This appropriation drew
from the State Treasury during the
past two years $4,000. The expen-
ses for the samo time were 42,914.13.
Tho report Of the Trustees and Su-
perintendent represent q condition
of the building not favorable to a
high degree Of comfort or economy.
| recommend to your attention the
remaslssu of the Trustees thereon.
This badly finished structure affords
an unfavorahle. commentary upon
the contract systsm in ersesin9 ppb;
lie buildings: . commentary which
is borne out by the history Of many
similar undertakings in onr own and
other States. Appropriations are
asked by the Board, Of $4,000 for
outhousees, gas-house, furniture, &C.,
and of $4,000 TO be refunded, being
amount expended for furniture, out
of funds Of the school; likewise the
sum of 100000 for finishing the
other wing of the building, and tor
grading the grounds. The Board
also deem tho appropriation for cur
rent expenses too small, and ask
tnousa::.-sem . seme be enlarged 70 twelve
The expense attending the con-
struction of this building amounted
to $144, ,856.07. To this sum must be
added tho amount due the contractor,
viz $l4,940.04, less deductions tor
unfinished and imperfect work. To
meet whatever may be found thus
due the contractor there is an unex
pended appropriation OF $l5, l4a. 93.
HOSPITALS FOE THE INSANE.
The grounds of the Hospital for
the Insane at Mt. Pleasant have been
enlarged by the purchase Of some for.
ty-eight acres of land adjoining
The improvements provided tor by
the last General Assembly, have
been satisfactorily made. The land
and improvements cost $40, ,275. .62
The current expenses for the term
amounted to 17,679.32. The mum.
ber admitted to the hospital during
the term was $50, and the average
present, 441.45. At the close Of tht
term there was 510 under treatment
and this number has since been in
creased to 518. When it is remem
bered that the building is intended u
accommodate less than 300 patients
the overcrowded condition OF tn,
house becomes at once apparant.-
This state of affairs will continue un
til the building at Independence j
ready for occupancy. | commend Il
your attention the able report OF tn
Superintendent, and would respect
fully ask for it careful examination
His suggestion of separate institu
ton for the epileptic and the hope
lessly insane, deem especiall
; worthy Of your consideration. Tn
Board of Trustees asks the sum {
$27, 800 for various Improvement
aud for contingencies.
The building at Independence prt
crossed rapidly until the appropri'
ton was exhausted. Three section
: of the north wing, the engine hous
J and the rear centre building are no.
: covered and inclosed, and the foun'
E alton and basement walls of the r
: naming section are up. The foun'
+ alton Of the chimney is laid, and tt
! air ducts are nearly finished. I'll
: outlay since the previous report h'
9 amounted to 3231, ,551.44 From pc
Q sonal inspection, l am satisfied th
Q the work on this building has bet
we'll done.
10 prepare this hospital for Il
4 reception Of patients, it will be ncce
:. sary not only to complete the par
II already commenced but to constru
! the main centre building. TO
= this il is estimated, will require $50
!, 900. In view of the urgent dema
: : for tho early completion Of this bui
= ing sufficiently for the reception
patients, l would recommend the j
mediate passage Of joint resolutit
Ii. authorizing the Commissioners
he employ such labor as may be pro
an ably used during tho present win
a. months. This action would contir
IL the work until an appropriate
no could be made and become avai
NJ bio.
"a l have recently received the
4a signation Of Hon. Geo. w. Bemis, I
a. OF the Commissioner appointed
"a act of the last General Assembly.
being 80 near the time Of your
in. sion, i have made no appointment