The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-11-25

: INSPECTION or THE NEW LuNAT1c AsY
LUM.-By invitation of the Commissioners t.
select site and build an Asylum for the in
sane of the State, a large and distinguished
party Of gentlemen on Friday paid visit 0
inspection to the new and noble ediiice in pro
cess of erection at Morris Plains. The part
CONSISTED Of the Governor, State Officers
members of the Legislature, and large mum
4 Der Of other prominent citizens of the State
Among the distinguished persons present
were Governor Parker, Senator Frelinghuy
sen, Hon. George A. Halsey, Hon. John HILL
Hon. Augustus w. Cutler, Ex-Governor Olden,
ex-Governor Ward, Ex-Governor Randolph,
Senators Taylor, Potts, Hopkins, Ne kirk,
Smith, great many members of the Legisla.
ture, and many gentlemen distinguished in
various avocations throughout the State, num-
bering altogether some five or six hundred
persons. The party took special train al
Jersey City and Newark which took them to
the Morris and Essex Road and thence by a
| short spur right mp to the building, where
they alighted and proceeded at once to file
through and inspect the vast and beautiful
edifice. The building is one of the largest
and best in the United States. It occupies
an elevated and commanding position on a
range of hills up in the mountainous region of
Morris county. A pleasanter and more
healthful spot could not have been selected
tits really charming. The building itself is
constructed in accordance with all the inn
provements in modern architecture, and on a
style Of liberality which is commensurate with
the wants Of the unfortunate class for whose
care it is designed, and with the generous and
benevolent character of our people. 1t is by
far the largest and most imposing building in
New Jersey. Its walls are over a mile i'm cir
conference, and its height, including the
attic, which is to be occupied, is four stories,
each thirteen feet high. 1t was commenced
in the Spring Of 1872, that year and indeed
1878 being consumed very largely in prepara-
ton for the work. About two-tlirds of the
building has been erected from the fpunda-
tions this year. It is of granite lined with
brick, all obtained on the ground. If the APP
preparations are made this year the building,
including furniture, gas houses, slaughter
houses, reservoirs, barns, &C., will be CON-
pleted for occupation next Autumn. The
bnilding is nearly all enclosed, and ready for
the plasterng and furniture. The work that
has been done has been performed in the most
substantial, workmanike and enduring man.
ner, which reflects great credit upon those
who have performed it. The contractors for
the mason work are Captain johnson 6
i3rother, of Trenton. Tho Commissioners
under whose direction this work has been
conducted are !: Hon. +, s, Lathrop, Beach
Vanderpool, Samuel Lilly, Anthony Reckless,
+. S. Westcott, Geo. A. Halsey, and W. G.
Lathrop. The Superintendent of the con-
struction is General Porter.
After the visitors had gone through and
inspected the immense building they were in
vited to partake Of an excellent dinner spread
IN half u dozen long tables in the chapel and
reception room. The next thing in order was
speech making and some very fine and
eloquent addresses were delivered, breathing
i spirit Of just and patriotic pride in the
liberal and charitable character of Jeiseymen,
ia the ample provision which the State makes
for her unfortunatcs, and favoring the grant
ing Of additional appropriations large enough
to complete this noble enterprise In the
generous style in which it has thus far been
prosecuted. These sentiments were frequently
and enthusiastically applanded.
Judge Lathrop, the President of the Board
of Commissioners, presided. The first speak
er was Governor Parker VIII, after paying
nlerited tribute to the benevolent character Of
New Jersey, gave some statistics in connec-
ton with the building. He said about ST.
300, 900 had been thus tar expended, of which
$500, QUO came front the riparian find The
building was mile and a quarter III circum-
ference. The Governor urged the necessity
Of an early completion of the building, and
the making of an appropriation by the next
Legislature for the purpose.
Senator Frelinghuysen was next called up
on, and, as usual, made very eloquent
speech. He said that insanity WAS an Incl
dent OF high civilization. In barbarous conn
siies II is almost unknown. In France there
i one insane person to every 1000 of innab-
tants in England one to ever $50; in the
nited States one to every 7So in Scotland
one To every 500. In 1870 the population of
New Jersey was 9u0,000 and our insane
numbered 9lS, The Senator then proceeded
60 portray in Il most eloquent and beautiful
manner the moral sublimity of this act of the
eope of New Jersey, that finds expression in
This vast and noble bniisling, and closed by
Invoking the blessing of God upon this charity
and the Commissioners whose unselhsh labors
have brought it into existence. Other
speeches were made by Franklin +. Westcott,
one ct the Commissioners Ex-Governor
Randolph; Hon. A, W. Cutler; Ex-senator
,,ettle; Mr.. Peterson, an architect Gairet
). Cannon. Esq. Hon. Alex. T.. McGill
John Y. Foster, Esq. : Judge Mar Dir.
Ezra M. Hunt, President of the Health Com
mission of the State Hon. j. G.. Fitzgerald J;
Ion. John Hill Rev. Dir. Erdman; CD.
Deshler, Esq. and Hon. George w. Patter-
son. The speech Of Messrs. John Y. Foster,
John Hin, and Edward $. BEETLE, were par
,ieularly eloquent and effective. The party
lift the grounds by special train, at quarter
before FOUR well pleased with their visit
.Stute Gazekte.