The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-28
THAT ASYLUM ONCE MORE.
Gov. Brown Advises Them to Try "a
Again.

0 =
Again.
Gov. Brown has addressed the fol
lowing communication to the Board OF
Directors of the West Tennessee Hos
pital for the Insane, in regard to the
Recommendation Of Messrs. j. \.
Gardner and G. W. Day-a majority
of the Board-that no further steps be
taken toward the selection of a site
until the Legislature shall have modi-
fed the act authorizing the erection of
the Asylum, and the protest of DIR.
w. E. Rogers-also member of the
Board-against the action of tie
majority:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE,
Tenn, May q, 1874.-Gentlemen:
am in receipt of a copy of the pro-
ceedings of your Board on the 18th
inst, together with the protest of DR..
Rogers, one of your members, against
the action of the majority.
You suggest that any further action
looking to the location of the Hospital
for the Insane in West Tennessee be
deferred until after the meeting Of the
next General Assembly, 50 that the
act, in its requirements for "water
supply" and drainage" may be modi-
fed, and ask my approval of this re-
commentator.
The reasons assigned for this course
are briefly these: l. You doubt
whether site can be found in West
Tennessee with a bountiful supply
of fine running water, and possessing
"large facilities for the drainage" es-
pecially near its geographical centre,
or the centre of its population. 2.
That you anticipate action by the
General Assembly, modifying the
present act 50 as to make the law less
stringentinits requirements for "water
supply" and drainage" 3. That the
season is too far advanced to secure a
site and erect buildings before winter.
4. That all salaries and expenses
will be suspended by this proposed ac-
ton.
In opposition to this view of the
question, it is asserted by DIR. Rogers,
one of your board, that there are sites
IN West Tennessee in every way fill
ing the measure of the Act, and to
some extent his statement is supported
by the afhdavits of physicians and
other persons.
1t Is not my province, nor am L
prepared todetermine whether the act
of the Assembly can be met or not.
You do not assert that it cannot.
The tenor OF your communication is a
strong doubt whether u site can be
found that will meet the law. The
second section of the Act provides:
THAT the said directors shall select
and purchase, within twelve months
after the date of their appointment,
for and in the name of the State Of
Tennessee, a farm and tract Of land of
not less than three hundred acres, etc"
The Directors were appointed the Sd
day of November, 1873. The twelve
months will have expired before the
next General Assembly convenes; and
if, in the meantime, no site is selected,
so as to secure the appropriation, the
Act may be repealed, and this institu
ton lost to your division of the State
Under this view of the question,
were | clothed with discretion to ap-
prove your recommendation, l would
not assume that responsibility until
all the proposed sites had been exam
ined and subjected to the most critical
tests.
III reply to your suggestions upon
the subject Of salaries, shall only call
your attention to the 9th section Of the
act:
Chat the directors shall fix thesal-
airy of the medical officer herein pro-
vided for, during the time he is engaged
,citb them IN experimenting the erection
Of the building, as also the Architect,
and all others whose services may be
required in the proper construction of
the same"
1t may be aquestion worthy of con-
sideration, whether these officers are
entitled to salaries until you COM
mence the erection of the buildings.
Having no authority to approve
your recommendations, and constru-
ing your communication as | do, l
uuhesitatingly advise that it is the
duty of the board of directors to pro
coed without delay in the execution
of this high trust, and, if possible,
secure a location for this institution,
which will meet the demands of the
law. Yours very truly,
JNo. {. BRowN. Governor.
To John a. Gardner, G. W. Day,
W. Z. Rogers, Directors of West
Tennessee Insane Hospital.