Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-23
= THE FIGHT FOR A SITE.
Why the West Tennessee Insane Asy-
lum Board Wants to Declare
ar Uee
Governor Brown Advises Them to Try
il Again.

Gov. Brown has addressed the following
communication to the Board of Directors
Of the West Tennessee Hospital for the In
sane, in regard to the Recommendation o.
| Messrs. j. A. Gardner and g. W. Day-a
| majority Of the BOard-that no further
steps be taken toward the selection Of asite
until the Legislature shall have modified
| the act authorizing the erection of the Asy-
| lum, and the protest Of DR.. W. +. Rogers
also A member Of the BOard-against the
action of the majority:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE
| Tenn, May q, IS74-GentleDlen: l am
in receipt of a copy of the proceedings Of
your Board on the 18th inst, together with
the protest of DIR. Rogers, one of your mem
bers, against the action of the majority.
You suggest that any further action look
ing to the 10 ,atiOn of the Hospital for the
| Insane in West Tennessee be deferred un-
til after the meeting Of the next General
Assembly, so that the act. in its require
ments for s'water supply" and drainage, F"
may be modified, and ask my approval Of
this Recommendation.
The reasons assigned for this course are
briefly these: 1. You doubt whether a site
can be found in West Tennessee ''with a
bOuntiful supply of fine running water, and
possessing Large facilities for drain ge, =
especially near Its geographical centre, or
the centre Of its population. ?. That you
anticipate action by the General Assembly,
modifying the present act so as to make the
law less stringent in its requirements for
''water SUPPLY and drainage 8. That
the season is too far advanced to secure a
site and erect buildings before winter. 4.
That all salaries and expenses will be SyIS-
pended by this proposed action.
In opposition to this view Of the ques. ion,
it is asserted by Dr.. Rogers, one Of your
board, that there are sites in West Tennes-
see in every way filling the measure Of the
Act, and to some extent his statement is
supported by the afidayits Of physicians
and other persons,
1t is not my province, nor am prepared
to determine whether the Act Of the As
sembly can be met or not. You do not
assert that it cannot. The tenor Of your
communication is strong doubt whether
site can be found that will meet the law
The second sectien Of the Act provides:
''That this said directors shah select and
purchase, within twelve months after the
date of their appointment, for and in the
name of the 5 ale of Tennessee, farm anu
tract of land of not less than three hun
dred acres, etc" The Directors were ap-
pointed the 81 day of Noyember, 1913.
The twelve months will have expired be-
fore the next General Assembly convenps;
and if, in the meantime, no site is selected,
SO as to secure the appropriation, the Act
may be repealed, and tbs institution lost
to your division of the State.
Under this view Of the question, were /
clothed with discretion to approve your
recommendation, / would not assume tha.
responsibility until all the proposed sites
had been examined and subjected 10 the
most critical tests.
In reply to your suggestions upon the
subject Of salaries, shall only call your al
tention to the 9Th section Of the act:
THAT the Directors shall fix the salary
of the medical officer herein provided for,
during the time he "a Engaged trtth them In
Supertateading the erection Of the building,
as also the Arehitect, and all Others whose
services may be required in the proper con
structiOn Of the same"
1t may be question worthy Of considera-
ton, whether these officers are entitled TO
salaries until you commence the erection of
the buildings.
Having no authority to approve your
and constituting yoIr
as do, unheSitatingly
advise that it is the duty Of the Boald Of
Directors to proceed without delay ia the
execution Of this high trust, and, if posi-
bic, secure lOoatio1 for this institution, |
which will meet the demands Of the |
law. Yours very truly,
JNO- c. Brown, Governor.
To John a. Gardner, Geo. W. Day, w. E. |
Rogers, Directors of West Tennessee In
sane Hospital.