Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-05-26


directors of the West Tennessee hospital
for the insane, in regard to the recon-
mendatiOn Of Messrs. J. A. 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 modified the act authorizing
the erection of the asylum, and the pro-
test of DIR. w. E ROgers-alsO a men,
Der of the bOard-against the action of
the majority:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, !
NASHVILLE, TENN, May, q 1874.
GENTLEMEN: l am in receipt of
a copy of the proceedings of
your board on the eighteenth in
slant, 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,
so that the act, in its requirements for
"water supplyn and drainage" may
be modified, and ask my approval of this
recommendation. The reasons assigned
for this course are briefly these: First
You doubt whether asite can be found in
West Tennessee "With bountiful sup
ply of fine runninT water" and possess
ing "large facilities for drainage" es-
pecially near its geographical center, or
the center of its population. Second
That you anticipate action by the gene
raj assembly, modifying the present act
SO as to make the law less stTengent in
its requirements for "water supplyn and
"dranage.n Third-That the season is
too far advanced to secure a site and
erect buildings before winter. Fourth
That all salaries and expenses will be
suspended by this proposed action. In
opposition TO this view Of the question, it
Is asserted by DR.. Rogers, one of your
board, that there are sites in West Ten
nessee in every way filling the measure
of the act, and to some extent his state
ment is supported by the affidavits of
physicians and other persons. 1t is not
my province, nor am L prepard to deter
mine whether the act of the assembly
can be met or not. You do not assert
that it cannot. The tenor of your COM
munication is strong doubt whether a
site can be found that will meet the law.
The second section of the act provides:
"That tie 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
three hundred acres, etc.u The directors
were appointed the third day of Novem-
Der, 1873. The twelve months will have
expired before the next general assem-
bly, convenes; and if, in the meantime,
no site is selected, so as TO secure the APP
preparation, the act may be repealed,
and this institution lost to your division
of the State. Under this view Of the
question, were l clothed with discre-
ton to approve your recommendation,
| would not assume that responsibility
until all the proposed sites had been ex-
amined and subjected to the most critical
tests. In reply to your suggestions upon
the subject of salaries, l shall only call
your attention to the fifth section OF
the act:
"That the directors shall fix the salary
of the medical officer herein provided
for, during the time he Is engaged acith
them IN suDeriRteHding the erection of
the building, as also the architect, and
all others whose services may be requir-
ed in the proper construction of the
same"
1t may be question worthy of con-
sideration, whether these officers are en-
titled tosalaries until you commence the
erection of tie buildings. Having no
authority to approve your recommen-
datiOns, and constituting your commune
cation as l do, unhesitatingly advise
that it is the duty of the board of direc-
tors to proceed without delay in the exc
cutioniOf this high trust, and, if possible,
secure a location for this institution,
which will meet the demands of the
law. Yours very truly,
JNO. Q, BROWN, Governor.
To John A. Gardner, George W. Day, W. z.
Rogers, directors Of West Tennessee insane
hospital.