Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-11-28
The Insane Asylum of West TenncS-
see Located nj Memphis

We published last week the com
munication of Col Robert I. Chester
to the locating board, urging the To-
cation at Jackson. After the reading
of Col. Chester's Communication, DR..
Rogers offered the following:
WHEREAS, 4 majority of this board,
at q former meeting, recommended to
his cxcellency, Governor John c.
Brown, a site near Brownsville, which
was referred by him back to this
board for further action.
Iles0lred, That the chairman of this
board be authorized to carry out the
recommendation as set forth in their
communication 10 his excellency, Gov
ernor Brown.
To this resolution Colonel Chester
objected, and read the following COM
municatiOn:
GENTLEMES-As q director in your
board, appointed to I'LL the vacancy
caused by the resignation Of Col. G..
w. Day, of Humboldt, have felt II
nv duIy TO examine the Brownsville
site, which was selected by two OF
your body, under the protest of Col
Day, my immediate predecessor. AT
/ ter a careful investigation of the
Shephel and Curry places am forced
I to re-affirm Col. Dav's protest, for the
/ following reasons:
First-The want of railroad facili.
/ ties. Brownsville has only one rail.
/ road, and with the exception of tho
| population Oh the line of this read,
/ the asylum cannot be reached from
all other portions of the western di
vision of the State except by one Ol
| more changes of cars; and, further
/ the want of competition must ever re
suit in high rates of freight charges
! An examination of the present scale
of prices will prove that the rates e
/ Brownsville are far in excess of thost
/ to jackson and Memphis. Nor ii
} there any hope of a change IN thii
/ state Of affairs, inasmUch as the rail
road now in progress and projected
cannot result in 4 competing line o
| railroad at Brownsville.
Second-The supply of Wa CT, not
withstanding previous iuvestIC atiOns
I find to be wholly inadequate and un
certain. Excavations have been mad,
] 10 lQCLtdSc LAAC N4S4DAC oupp4 u MGLC4
but an examination made at this tim,
I will indicate that it would be yer,
unWise, If not criminal, to venture o.
I the locating ofan insane asylum wher
the water supply Is so exceedlngl
doubtful.
Third-The act of the State legis
Iature, authorizing the selection an,
purchase of site, expressly states tha
where a location is offered free of cos
to the State, all things being equal
the directors shall give a precedenc
to such a site. The Brownsville traC
Is offered at q cost of sixteen thousan
three hundred dollars, Of which Z
mount the State Is called upon TO pa
! six thousand three hundred dellar:
The sites at Jackson and Memphi
with equal and, believe, greatly ST
Derior advantages IN every respect
are offered to the State free of cost.
therefore beg leave TO give notice I
the board, that II event Of the pu,
chase OF the Brownsville site beiu
confirmed by a majority of this boar,
l shall feel II my duty, not only I
protest against said purchase, bI
. shall take Immediate legal steps to r
sist the expenditure OF any appropT
alton for the building of the hospit
) until the legislature Of the State ca
take action upon the matter.
ROBT. l. CHESTER.
! DR.. Rogerss stated that unless Il